Abstract

The primary purpose of avian eggs is for the reproduction of the species. They are integrated seamless ellipsoidal chambers that are essentially an external uterus who in the case of the domestic hen (Gallus galllus sp.) have a volume that ranges between 44.0 and 63.2cm³, surface area from 64.2 to 86.1cm² [1]. However, humans have highjacked the hen’s egg as an inexpensive source of highly nutritious food [2]. As a result, billions of eggs are produced to meet the consumer’s demand; China, United States of America, India, Indonesia, and Brazil account for 66.7% of the annual global production [3]. In terms of eggshell waste, the global production was estimated in 2006 to be about 50,000 tonnes annually [4].

Keywords:Eggshells; Waste; Natural resource; Construction materials; Foodstuffs; Medical applications; Cosmetics; Catalysis; Water treatment

Abbreviations:CaCO₃: Calcium Carbonate; CaO: Calcium Oxide; ESM: Eggshell Membrane; FTIR: Fourier- Transform Infra-red; SEM: Scanning Electron Microscopy; TEM: Transitional Electron Microscopy; WCES: Waste Chicken Eggshells; XRD: X-ray Diffraction