Chemical and Mineral Compositions of Ostrich (Struthio camelus) egg in Southern Guinea Savanna of Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Egg quality and its components are important indices to consumers, and the economic success of producers depend on the total number of eggs sold. Egg quality is based on the characteristics of the eggs that affect its acceptability, and the egg components are of nutritional importance. Therefore, the study was carried out to determine the chemical and mineral compositions of ostrich eggs found in southern guinea savannah environ of Nigeria. Methods: Eighty freshly laid eggs were obtained from Ostrich birds in Old Oyo National Park and were used for the experiments. Data were obtained for chemical composition on moisture, carbohydrate, protein, lipid, cholesterol and ash components separately for both albumen and yolk of the eggs while mineral composition observed were Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Iron, copper, Zinc and Manganese. Results: The findings on chemical composition revealed that the protein (17.35), moisture (85.59) and ash contents (1.90) were significantly (p<0.05) higher in albumen than in yolk. The carbohydrate (0.98), lipid (30.47) and cholesterol (13.40) contents mean percentages were higher in yolk than in albumen. The mineral compositions of albumen and yolk of ostrich eggs indicated that the yolk as a content had the higher values of 135.35, 380.40, 20.35, 10.38, 2.25, 1.85 and 2.50 ppms in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese respectively than these variables in albumen while albumen contents was only higher in potassium (160.25 ppm) than in the yolk. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the information provided in this study could be a template of criteria for comparison and improvement for Ostrich eggs in the environment.