Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: A004
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A004
Published online: 22 April 2026
The effect of incubation on the mineral composition of chicken eggshell
Martyna Brandys-Buczek1, Renata Zdun1, Justyna Batkowska2, Kamil Drabik2 and Karolina Wengerska*2
1 Students Research Gropu of Poultry Biology, Breeding, and Husbandry, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950 Lublin, Poland
2 Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: karolina.wengerska@up.edu.pl
The eggshell is the only inorganic part of the egg. It is characterised by a complex, highly organised, multi-layered structure, and its main function is to protect the developing embryo from environmental factors. Due to its chemical composition, the eggshell is an excellent source of building elements for the developing avian embryo. The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of incubation on the mineral composition of chicken eggshell. The study material consisted of 48 eggshells from 45-week-old Leghorn hens, 24 of which were obtained from eggs from which chicks had hatched, whilst the remaining 24 were obtained from fresh eggs. The samples were subjected to mineralization using HNO3 (65%) using the MARSExpress microwave mineralizer (CEM, Matthews, NC, USA) followed by the determination of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), aluminum (Al) by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) using an AA280 FS spectrometer (Varian, Perth, Australia) with the automatic dilution of standards and samples (SIPS). The data obtained were analysed using the t-test. Differences were observed in the K and Cu content of eggshells after hatching, with the levels of both elements being lower in the eggshells from which the birds hatched. No differences were observed for the other elements analysed.
Keywords: eggshell minerals; eggshell trace elements; eggshell quality; hatching eggs
How to cite
Brandys-Buczek M., Zdun R., Batkowska J., Drabik K., Wengerska K., 2026. The effect of incubation on the mineral composition of chicken eggshell. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.A004