A Study on the Calcium Bioavailability of Eggshell Powder in the Growing Rats

This study has investigated the bioavailability of calcium in eggshell powder (ESP) for the purpose of reutilizing eggshells as the calcium source. The experiment was designed 2 ${\times}$ 2 factorial method with two sources, CaCO$_3$ and ESP, and two levels, 0.2% and 0.4% calcium. Weanling SD rats were assigned randomly to one of 4 groups and provided by one of the isocaloric, 20% casein based 4 different experimental diets for 4weeks. Deionized water was given and environment was kept from any contamination of minerals. The body weight, diet intake, feed efficiency ratio (FER), bone growth, Ca contents of bones, and apparent absorption were measured. FER (0.38 - 0.40) and kidney weight were not different among groups and the weight and length, Ca content, strength of two bones Tibia and Femur were not affected by Ca sources except Femur Ca content. Ca content of Femur was greater in ESP groups than that of CaCO$_3$ groups. The body weight gain, bone growth, the Ca contents and strength of bones were significantly greater in 0.4% calcium groups suggesting 0.2% calcium is not sufficient for the optimum growth in the growing rats. These results indicate that ESP be a proper Ca source comparable or superior to CaCO$_3$. However the apparent absorption rate of final 3 days of feeding did not support the observed results showing lower rate in ESP than CaCO$_3$ groups. Further study be needed in the absorption aspect.

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