Eggshell Research Articles

Physico-mechanical, thermal insulation properties, and microstructure of geopolymer foam concrete containing sawdust ash and egg shell

Recently, energy conservation through building thermal insulation has gained significant importance in solving sustainability-related issues. In this context, this study investigates the potential for manufacturing geopolymer foam concrete (GFC) containing eggshell powder (ESP) and sawdust ash (SDA) using aluminium (Al) powder as a foaming agent. The role of Al-powder percentages on the mechanical and thermal properties of GFC was thoroughly investigated. The effect of ESP and SDA incorporation as partial replacements of precursors (from 0 to 20 %) on the thermal properties, durability, and microstructure of GFCs were also discussed. The experimental findings demonstrate that the bulk density and compressive strength of GFC with different Al-powder contents ranged between 1928 and 1798 kg/m3 and 17.45 and 9.37 MPa, respectively. The SEM images and MIP tests show that foams with different numbers of micro- and macropores are formed in GFCs. The ESP-based GFC had an apparent porosity range of 13.09 %–10.29 % and a bulk density range of 1823 to 1713 kg/m3. The SDA-based GFC had an apparent porosity range of 14.21 %–12.96 % and a bulk density range of 1834 to 1807.8 kg/m3. It was found that the 10 % ESP and 5 %, SDA mixtures enhanced the strength by 16.54 % and 4.45 %, respectively, compared to the control mix. The thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and specific heat of 10 % ESP-mixture and 5 % SDA-mixture were 1.237 and 1.167 W/(mK), 0.795 and 0.922 mm2/S, and 1.556 and 1.266 MJ/m3K, respectively. Finally, the residual strength and microstructure investigations demonstrate that ESP-based GFCs have more stability than SDA-based GFCs and the control mix when subjected to elevated temperatures.

Valorization of Egg Shell Membrane as Protein Source in Soft Gel Capsules

Valorization of Egg Shell Membrane as Protein Source in Soft Gel Capsules

Development of polymer/carbon nanotubes incorporated sustainable materials for manufacturing of autobrake pad

AbstractAlthough asbestos fiber is used for autobrake pad production due to its heat resistance capacity, it is associated with a challenge of health risk (cancerogenic in nature). This health risk associated with asbestos-based autobrake pads has presented polymeric materials as a better candidate for the application due to their eco-friendliness, lightweight, chemical inertness, easy of processing, etc. However, polymers are associated with low wear and low mechanical properties, which are vital properties for autobrake pads. Therefore, this study developed EP nanocomposites reinforced with a low content of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and eggshell (ES) attached cow bone (CB) particles denoted as (ES@CB) as agro-waste/sustainable materials for the manufacturing of autobrake pads. The hybrid ternary nanocomposites were developed via solution mixing and casting. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed the 1-D structure of the CNTs, and relatively spherical shapes of ES and CB particles, and microstructures of the developed nanocomposites. The nanocomposite showed a low coefficient of friction and a reduction in wear rate in the range of 1.14 × 10−4 mm3/Nm for pure EP to 5.45 × 10−6 mm3/Nm for EP/0.4wt%CNTs-10wt%ES@CB nanocomposite, while the elastic modulus and hardness increased from 1.84 GPa and 128.64 MPa for pure EP to 4.41 GPa and 252.88 MPa for EP/0.2wt%CNTs-20wt%ES@CB nanocomposite, respectively. The comparison of the wear response of the developed nanocomposites with the current asbestos-based brake pads show that the developed epoxy nanocomposites from agro-waste materials are potential option for the manufacturing of autobrake pads, which will ensure sustainability, health risk-free, and environmentally friendly.

Supplemental phosphorus can be completely replaced with microbial phytase in White Leghorn layer diets

ABSTRACT 1. A study was conducted to assess the possibility of totally replacing supplemental phosphorus sources in White Leghorn (WL) layer diets (aged 28 to 45 weeks of age) with microbial phytase supplementation. One thousand commercial layers (HyLine White) of 28 weeks of age were housed in California cages fitted in open-sided poultry shed at the rate of 20 layers in each replicate. Ten replicates were randomly allotted to each treatment, and the respective diet was fed from 28 to 45 weeks of age. 2. A control diet (CD) containing the recommended levels of non-phytate phosphorus (3.6 g/kg NPP) and four other test diets (2–5) having sub-optimal levels of NPP (2.4, 2.0, 1.6 and 1.2 g/kg), but with supplemental microbial phytase (600 FTU/kg) were prepared and fed for the trial duration. 3. The layers fed with lower levels of NPP with phytase had the same laying performance as the group fed the CD. Egg production, feed efficiency, egg mass, shell defects, egg density, shell weight, shell thickness, ash content and breaking strength of the tibia and sternum were not affected by feeding the lowest concentration of NPP (1.2 g/kg) plus microbial phytase. 4. Phytase supplementation in diets with sub-optimal levels of NPP (2.4, 2 and 1.6 g/kg) significantly improved the Haugh unit score compared to those fed the CD. 5. It was concluded that supplemental phosphorus can be completely replaced with microbial phytase (600 FTU/kg) in a diet without affecting egg production, shell quality or bone mineral variables in WL layers (28 to 45 weeks).

Comparative analysis of the commodity properties and quality of chicken eggs from different poultry farms sold in the St. Petersburg retail chain

Chicken egg is a valuable dietary product and is often included in the daily human diet. In recent years, the demand of the population of our country for chicken eggs has increased and the requirements for the quality of table eggs of different categories have increased. In the trade network of St. Petersburg sells chicken table eggs of commodity categories of different manufacturers, among which quite often there is an egg, which by some indicators does not meet the requirements of regulatory documents. In this connection, a comparative analysis of commodity properties of hen's eggs of large poultry farms of the Leningrad region, selling their products in different retail chains of St. Petersburg was carried out. For the study was selected 10 packages of table chicken eggs 10 pieces per package of the following categories: selected, 1 and 2. Comparative analysis of eggs was carried out by their weight (one and ten pieces), presence of contamination, defects of egg shell and its integrity (fight), calculated shape index.According to the conducted research it was established that the greatest deviations from the requirements of GOST on the weight of eggs and the presence of defects were established in the batch of eggs of the enterprise №1, sold in the retail network "Lenta". The analysis of the weight of eggs of all categories of poultry enterprise No. 2 corresponds to the permissible limit of GOST. In spite of single cases of non-compliance of egg weight to the trade categories indicated on the pack-age, the weight of 10 pcs. corresponded to the GOST requirements. According to the data of the conducted research it is established that the greatest deviations from the requirements of GOST on egg weight and the presence of defects were established in the batch of eggs of enterprise No.1, sold in the retail network "Lenta". The analysis of the weight of eggs of all categories of poultry enterprise No. 2 corresponds to the permissible limit of GOST. In spite of single cases of non-compliance of egg weight to the trade categories indicated on the pack-age, the weight of 10 pcs. corresponded to the GOST requirements. The table eggs produced by enterprise No.1 are sold in the trade network "Lenta" and "Magnit" with signs of contami-nation (31-36%) and breakage (3-9%), as well as with shell defects. (3-9%). For poultry farm No.2 the noted defects made up 17-22%, 1-6% and 1-4% respectively. Enterprise No.1 sells table eggs of different shapes with insignificant deviations from the recommended norm with egg shape index of 72-80%. At enterprise No.2 this index was 77-80%. That fully meets the normative requirements. It was found that eggs of category C2 of both producers to a greater extent met the requirements of normative documents and can be recommended to consumers of St. Petersburg.

Description of Rhipicephalus hibericus sp. nov. (Ixodoidea: Ixodidae), a species of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus group in southwestern Europe

We describe all the life stages of Rhipicephalus hibericus n. sp., provide the types, and present molecular support for a new species of the Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato group, present in southwestern Europe, that has been historically confused with Rhipicephalus turanicus Pomerantzev, 1940. A new name is proposed for this taxon because it was impossible to ascribe to types of already described species in the group, deposited for more than 100 years in natural history institutions. The males have a dorsum showing deep and coarse punctations (absent in Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu stricto) and adanal plates with large punctations (absent in R. sanguineus s.s.); the tail of the spiracular plate is as wide as the closest festoon (half the width in R. sanguineus s.s.). Females have large punctations in dorsal fields, a wide spiracular plate, and a “V” shaped genital opening; such a combination of characters cannot be found in other species of the group. Immatures are described from specimens collected on hosts (Rodentia and Eulipotyphla). Both larvae and nymphs are markedly smaller than R. sanguineus s.s. Nymphs display long, backward-projected auriculae; larvae are almost half the size of R. sanguineus s.s. The new species can hybridize with R. sanguineus s.s. in laboratory colonies producing an unfertile F2, laying brown and dry eggs that did not hatch. Phylogenetic analysis of partial coxI gene sequences placed R. hibericus in a well-supported clade with other sequences of R. sanguineus s.l. from Portugal, as a sister clade of R. sanguineus s.s. The new species does not belong to the R. turanicus group of species. Both 12S and 16S partial gene sequences were not as precise in the correct phylogenetic placement of R. hibericus, in part probably due to the existence of erroneously identified sequences in GenBank©. This description, together with the previous reinstatement of Rhipicephalus secundus and Rhipicephalus rutilus, and the description of the neotypes of R. sanguineus s.s. should help researchers to adequately identify their collections. Our findings demonstrate that R. turanicus is absent in southwestern Europe. Old collections should be re-examined to provide the actual range of the new species.

The Chicken Egg: An Advanced Material for Tissue Engineering.

The chicken egg, an excellent natural source of proteins, has been an overlooked native biomaterial with remarkable physicochemical, structural, and biological properties. Recently, with significant advances in biomedical engineering, particularly in the development of 3D in vitro platforms, chicken egg materials have increasingly been investigated as biomaterials due to their distinct advantages such as their low cost, availability, easy handling, gelling ability, bioactivity, and provision of a developmentally stimulating environment for cells. In addition, the chicken egg and its by-products can improve tissue engraftment and stimulate angiogenesis, making it particularly attractive for wound healing and tissue engineering applications. Evidence suggests that the egg white (EW), egg yolk (EY), and eggshell membrane (ESM) are great biomaterial candidates for tissue engineering, as their protein composition resembles mammalian extracellular matrix proteins, ideal for cellular attachment, cellular differentiation, proliferation, and survivability. Moreover, eggshell (ES) is considered an excellent calcium resource for generating hydroxyapatite (HA), making it a promising biomaterial for bone regeneration. This review will provide researchers with a concise yet comprehensive understanding of the chicken egg structure, composition, and associated bioactive molecules in each component and introduce up-to-date tissue engineering applications of chicken eggs as biomaterials.

Effects of Dietary Fennel Volatile Oil on Performance, Egg Quality, and Egg Yolk Oxidative Stability of Laying Quails.

This researh was carried out to determine the effects of adding different levels of fennel volatile oil (VO) to the laying quail diets on performance, internal-external egg quality parameters, and egg's oxidative stability. In the research, totally 105 (6-week-old) laying quails (Coturnix coturnix Pharaoh) were used. Quails were distributed into 3 main groups, and the main groups were also divided into 5 replicate groups. A basal diet that did not contain fennel VO was prepared for the control group, and fennel VO was added to the basal diet at 200 and 400 mg/kg levels for Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Diets and water were given to quails ad libitum. The research continued for 56 days. At the end of current researh, the addition of fennel VO the quail diets did not effect feed efficiency, haugh unit, egg yolk color, egg weight, shape index, egg shell breaking strength. However, both levels of fennel VO increased feed intake (P

Unveiling the Potential of Coffee Grounds, Banana Peels and Egg Shells as an Eco‐Friendly and Sustainable Fertilizer

AbstractCoffee grounds, along with other organic materials like eggshells and banana peels, offer a promising solution for improving food security. This research brings innovation to the forefront by reimagining kitchen waste as a valuable resource for sustainable agriculture, introducing a multicomponent fertilizer approach, exploring different application methods, and focusing on a staple crop, ultimately contributing to the broader discourse on food security and environmental conservation. This study evaluated the effect of coffee grounds, eggshells, and banana peels as fertilizers on the growth and germination of Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) plants. Two types of fertilizers are prepared: a dry mixture and a wet mixture obtained by boiling the dry mixture in water for 15 min. The height of the plants is measured weekly over a period of four weeks. The results indicated that the wet fertilizer mixture is more effective in promoting plant growth than the dry mixture. Plants that received the wet fertilizer mixture exhibited a higher growth rate and reached a greater height than those that received the dry mixture. It can be concluded that the wet fertilizer mixture is more efficient in promoting the growth of Phaseolus vulgaris plants than the dry mixture.

Morphological and Molecular Characterization of a New Root-Knot Nematode, Meloidogyne limonae n. sp. (Nematoda: Meloidogynidae), Parasitizing Lemon in China.

Root-knot nematodes of the genus Meloidogyne parasitize the roots of thousands of plants and can cause severe damage and yield losses. Here, we report a new root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne limonae n. sp., parasitizing "lemon" (Citrus limon) in Hainan Province, South China. Lemon trees infected by the root-knot nematode showed poor-quality lemons, chlorosis of foliage, weak growth, and numerous root galls with white females and egg masses protruding outside. Phylogenetic trees of sequences within the ribosomal and mitochondrial DNA demonstrated that this species differs clearly from other previously described root-knot nematodes. Morphologically, the new species is characterized by an oval-shaped perineal pattern and the lateral field marked by a ridge of cuticle on one or both sides; the dorsal arch is low, with fine to coarse, smooth cuticle striae; the vulva slit is centrally located at the unstriated area; the spicules of males are arcuate and curved ventrally; the gubernaculum is distinct and curved; the labial disc of second-stage juveniles is prominent and dumbbell shaped; stylet knobs are oval and sloping backwardly; pharyngeal glands are not filling the body cavity and overlapping the intestine ventrally; and the conical tail is gradually tapering. Phylogenetic trees based on the ITS1-5.8S-ITS2, D2-D3 of the 28S rDNA, and COI and COII-16S rRNA genes of the mtDNA showed that M. limonae n. sp. belongs to an undescribed root-knot nematode lineage that is separated from other species with the resemblance in morphology, such as M. floridensis, M. hispanica, M. acronea, and M. paranaensis.

Assessment of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid profiles and ratio of omega-6/omega-3 of white eggs produced by laying hens fed diets enriched with omega-3 rich vegetable oil

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) fatty acids in egg and the ratio of n-6/n-3 of white eggs produced by laying hens (Hy-Line white) fed diets enriched with n-3 fats. In this study, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) levels of the dietary treatments ranged from 0.3 to 6% energy. Grain-based diets containing a low linoleic acid (LA) content were selected to prepare a basal diet to optimize the conversion of ALA into n-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA). The results showed that the level of all n-3 LCPUFA in eggs improved (P < 0.01) by increasing the levels of dietary ALA. Importantly, eggs produced from laying hens fed diets containing 6%en ALA significantly increased (P < 0.01) the total of n-3 fats by approximately nine-fold. Diets enriched with ALA significantly reduced (P < 0.01) the ratio of n-6/n-3 of the eggs. The n-6/n-3 ratio of eggs decreased from 7.17% in the 0.3%en ALA diet to 1.29% in the 6%en ALA diet. In conclusion, white laying hens fed ALA-enriched diets produced eggs higher in n-3 fatty acids and lower n-6/n-3 ratio, which provides an alternative n-3 rich food for consumers and have beneficial health effects.

Utilization of Eggshell By-Products For Calcium Fortification in Various Food Products: Literature Review

The level of production and consumption of chicken eggs in Indonesia continues to increase. This condition will be in line with the amount of eggshell waste that has not been utilized properly. Egg shells are rich in calcium and have the potential to be used as a calcium source in the form of powder or flour through fortification into various foods. As for right now, there is no literature study available that addresses the impact of eggshell powder addition as a calcium fortification affects the characteristics and level of acceptance of various food products This literature review used the scoping review method, and the articles used in this review were obtained through searches using Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and PubMed. The results of this literature review show that eggshell powder is suitable to be added to food products as a source of calcium. Adding eggshell powder can greatly increase the calcium content of a variety of foods. Aroma, taste, and texture are the organoleptic characteristics that are mainly impacted by the addition of eggshell powder. The addition of eggshell powder is generally contradictory to the degree of liking and acceptability of the product. The degree of product acceptance and liking tends to decrease as eggshell powder concentration increases. Thus, it is imperative to perform suitable calculations concerning the highest concentration of eggshell powder applied to preserve the food product's unique qualities and attributes while preventing a decline in the product's degree of acceptance or liking. Keywords: calcium, eggshell, fortification

Pengaruh Pemberian Ekstrak Cangkang Telur Bebek (Anas Plaptyrhynchos Domesticus) Konsentrasi 20% Dalam Sediaan Gel Dan Pasta Terhadap Kekerasan Permukaan Email Gigi Tikus Wistar (Rattus Norvegicus) : Studi (In Vivo)

Dental caries is a disease of the hard tissues of the teeth which is characterized by damage to the email and dentin caused by bacterial activity in fermented carbohydrates. One way to overcome and prevent caries is by giving anticariogenic substances that can inhibit caries development and trigger remineralization. As for other alternative materials used for remineralization, one of them is duck egg shell (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) because it contains calcium carbonate which is in the eggshell can be converted into hydroxyapatite or calcium compounds, so that it can be used as the formation of damaged bones and teeth. In this study, duck egg shell hydroxyapatite extract was made in gel and paste preparations. In gel preparations, it has a high adhesive power so that the absorption on an email surface will be maximized. While in the preparation of pasta also has a great absorption power. This study aimed to determine the effect of hydroxyapatite gel and paste from duck eggshell extract (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) and Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (CPP-ACP) on the tooth email hardness of wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). In this study there were 3 treatment groups. Prior to treatment, the tooth sample was etched in the labial section for 20 seconds and rinsed using a brush and water. After etching was applied, in group 1, duck egg shell hydroxyapatite extract gel was applied, in group 2, duck egg shell hydroxyapatite extract paste was applied, and in group 3 as a control group, CPP-ACP was applied to the lower anterior teeth of wistar rats for 30 minutes 2 times a day. for 14 days. On the 15th day, the lower anterior teeth were decapitated by wistar rats and hardness testing was carried out using microvikers hardness in the labial part of the teeth. This research is a true experimental with Post Test Control Group Design. The result of the average hardness of email that has been treated with the highest hardness is CPP-ACP of 332 VHN. The results of the normality test using Shapiro Wilk showed that the duck egg shell extract gel could increase the surface hardness of tooth email. The results of the comparison test using Kruskal Wallis showed that there was a change in hardness between the hydroxyapatite gel of duck eggshell extract, hydroxyapatite paste of duck eggshell extract and CPP-ACP and there were significant differences. From the results of this study, there was an increase in the surface hardness of tooth email after the application of duck egg shell hydroxyapatite gel (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) compared to paste preparations and as a positive control with CPP-ACP also increased the hardness of tooth email.

The benefits of purple sweet potato waste flour in the ratio of maintaining the quality of Lohmann brown chicken eggs

Lohmann brown chickens are laying hens as a source of egg supply. However, eggs are easily damaged if stored, it is necessary to improve egg quality, one of which can be done by utilizing purple sweet potato waste. This research aims to determine the effect of using purple sweet potato waste flour in rations on the quality of Lohmann brown chicken eggs stored for 5 weeks, carried out in Candiksuma Village, Melaya District, Jembrana Regency Bali for 12 weeks. The design used was a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 4 treatments and 4 replications. The treatment consisted of rations without purple sweet potato waste flour as a control (A), and rations containing 5% purple sweet potato waste flour (B), 10% (C), and 15% (D). Each experimental unit consisted of 10 chickens aged 65 weeks. After one month of treatment, 96 eggs were taken to be stored. The variables observed were egg weight, egg pH, egg specific gravity, egg yolk color, eggshell thickness, egg white percentage, egg yolk percentage, egg white index, egg yolk index, and haugh units (HU). The research results showed that giving purple sweet potato waste flour did not reduce egg quality in the variables of egg weight, egg pH, egg specific gravity, egg yolk percentage, egg white index, and egg yolk index during 5 weeks of storage. A decrease in egg quality occurs in egg yolk color, eggshell thickness, egg white percentage, and Haugh Units (HU). It can be concluded that providing purple sweet potato waste flour in the ration can maintain the quality of Lohmann brown chicken eggs stored for 5 weeks.

Synthesis and Characterization of K2O/ACT Catalyst for Biodiesel Production from Beef Fat Waste

The increasing use of petroleum as fuel has depleted fuel, so alternative fuels such as biodiesel are needed because they are environmentally friendly and come from vegetable and animal sources. Therefore, this article presents biodiesel production from beef fat using a K2O/ACT heterogeneous base catalyst derived from egg shells. The Eggshell becomes a CaO catalyst after 3 hours of calcination at 900°C. The K2O/ACT catalyst was synthesized by impregnating CaO with KOH and characterized using XRD and BET. The K2O/ACT catalyst was compared to the CaO catalyst for transesterification activity under appropriate conditions (reaction temperature 65°C, catalyst loading 3% by weight, oil to methanol molar ratio 1:12, and reaction time 3 hours). The catalytic activity of the catalyst was determined to be 98.40% Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME). The insertion of K2O into the CaO catalyst increases the basicity characteristics, thereby increasing the catalytic activity of transesterification.

Efficient degradation of ciprofloxacin by waste eggshells derived ES/CuS heterostructure under visible light

The transformation of discarded eggshells (ES) into high value-added materials through technological means and the realization of turning waste ES “stone into gold” are of great significance to the environment and sustainable economic development. CuS is a typical semiconductor with broad and powerful light absorption properties, which is widely used in photocatalytic wastewater remediation. However, the high recombination rate of CuS photogenerated electron-hole pairs limits its application. In this study, a novel waste eggshell-derived ES/CuS heterojunction photocatalyst is innovatively constructed using an adsorption-precipitation method to realize the efficient degradation of ciprofloxacin (CIP) under visible light. The results showed that the ES/CuS heterojunction photocatalyst, under visible light irradiation, could degrade CIP (20 mg/L) with a degradation efficiency of 93.7% at 5 h (including 1 h of dark reaction), which compared to the degradation efficiency of CuS (52.3%) its CIP removal was significantly increased by a factor of 1.78, and showed good stability and reusability. The superior CIP degradation performance is mainly attributed to the introduction of ES to improve the separation efficiency of CuS photogenerated carriers and can participate in redox reactions through the formation of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] on the surface of heterojunctions under visible light irradiation, which generation of oxidizing powerful ⋅[Formula: see text] radicals which can also directly oxidize CIP. This work provides a new perspective on the reuse of waste ES and the design of CuS catalysts.

Effects of Moringa oleifera Leaf Meal on Local Guinea Fowl Breeder Hens Performance, Egg Quality, and Blood Parameters

Breeding local guinea fowl has the potential to address protein malnutrition and alleviate poverty in West African countries. The current study aimed to examine the effects of incorporating Moringa oleifera leaf meal into the diet on hematology and biochemical parameters as well as the productive performance of local guinea fowl breeders in Togo. Thus, 512 local guinea fowls (22 weeks of age with an average weight of 1176.7 ± 2.9 g), comprising 384 females and 128 males, were examined for 31 weeks. The fowls were randomly assigned to four dietary groups, namely M0, M1, M2, and M3 containing 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in diets, respectively. Each group had 4 replicates of 32 fowls. During the study, feed intake, body weight, egg-laying rate, and feed conversion ratio were weekly recorded. Blood samples for hematology and biochemical analysis were taken from 12 females (3/replicate) at 34 and 50 weeks of age. Eggs were collected for the quality evaluation. Results showed that feed intake was comparable across all groups during the rearing period (23 to 33 weeks of age). However, it significantly decreased in fowls of the M2 and M3 during the laying period (34 to 50 weeks of age). The live weight of fowls in M3 was significantly higher than other groups before the laying period. The egg production, yolk ratio, and shell ratio of the birds in the M1 were like that of M0 and higher than that of M2 and M3. The feed conversion ratio was not significantly different between groups during the laying period. However, the albumen ratio and haugh unit were improved by feeding Moringa leaves especially at level 1.5%. The level of white blood cells and lymphocytes decreased by feeding the Moringa leaves at 1%. Neutrophils and platelet levels were comparable across groups. Total proteins, albumin, and transaminases increased in Moringa groups (M1, M2, M3), especially in M3. It was concluded that the use of Moringa oleifera leaves at 0.5% improved egg-laying performance in local guinea fowl. Moreover, 1% and 1.5% of incorporation improved the quality of eggs. Keywords: Blood parameter, Breeder, Guinea fowl, Egg quality, Moringa oleifera

Low-cost eggshell-fly ash adsorbent for phosphate recovery: A potential slow-release phosphate fertilizer

Fly ash (FA) and eggshells (ES) are common solid wastes with significant potential for the recovery of phosphorus from water. This study focuses on synthesizing a low-cost and environmental-friendly phosphate adsorbent called eggshell-fly ash geopolymer composite (EFG) using eggshells instead of chemicals. The CaO obtained from the high-temperature pyrolysis of eggshells provides active sites for phosphate adsorption, and CO2 serves as a pore-forming agent. The phosphate adsorption performance of EFG varied with the eggshell-fly ash ratios and achieved a maximum of 49.92 mg P/g at an eggshell-fly ash ratio of 40 %. The adsorption process was well described by the pseudo-second-order model and the Langmuir model. EFG also exhibited a good regeneration performance through six-cycle experiments and achieved the highest phosphate desorption at pH 4.0. The results of the column experiment showed that EFG can be used as a filter media for phosphorus removal in a real-scale application with low cost. Soil burial test indicated saturated EFG has a good phosphate slow-release performance (maintained for up to 60 days). Overall, EFG has demonstrated to be a promising adsorbent for phosphorus recovery.

Toward the production of biopolyethylene‐based ecocomposites with improved performance: The potential of eggshell particles as an ecological additive

AbstractLow‐density biopolyethylene (BioLDPE) ecocomposites added with particles of eggshell (ES) residue were produced using linear low‐density polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (LDPE‐g‐MA) as a compatibilizing agent. BioLDPE/ES and BioLDPE/ES/LDPE‐g‐MA compounds were processed in a twin‐screw extruder, and the specimens were injection molded. Torque rheometry increased and melt flow index reduced more prominently for the BioLDPE/LDPE‐g‐MA biocomposite with 20 phr ES, suggesting higher viscosity. Consequently, there was a higher level of ES particles breakdown, generating greater distribution and dispersion, as verified in optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images. This finding was supported by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, considering the intense absorption band at 871 cm−1 for BioLDPE/ES (20 phr)/LDPE‐g‐MA biocomposite, indicating a higher level of ES particles dispersion in BioLDPE matrix. Therefore, BioLDPE/ES (20 phr)/LDPE‐g‐MA biocomposite increased the elastic modulus, tensile strength, Shore D hardness, and heat deflection temperature by 51.4%, 16.9%, 16.4%, and 14, 6%, respectively, related to BioLDPE. Additionally, the flexibility was kept as seen in the elongation at break and impact strength, including not fractured during the impact test. Reported results for the biocomposites are valuable mainly for the polymer additive sector, since the ES has the potential to improve BioLDPE properties, expanding the range of applications.

BIOLOGÍA REPRODUCTIVA DEL CHINCHERO ENANO O CHINCHERO EXCAVADOR XIPHORHYNCHUS FUSCUS

Despite recent advances, the knowledge scarcity on Furnariidae forest species reproduction continues to bias ideas and limit the understanding of avian life history. We studied the reproductive biology of the Lesser Woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus fuscus; Dendrocolaptinae), which nests in tree cavities, to contribute observations toward ideas about evolution and ecology. In the Atlantic Forest of Argentina (2007–2022), we inspected 26 nests (total: 333 visits), color-banded nine adults, conducted 180 h of focal observations at 11 nests, and analyzed patterns of nest survival and parental care using linear models in R. Lesser Woodcreepers laid two or three white eggs (mean±SE = 2.8±0.1; N = 16) on a bed of bark flakes. One adult (possibly female) carried out construction, incubation, feeding, and nest hygiene, but we frequently observed a second adult (possibly male) singing from 'preferred' perches, sometimes approaching the nest tree in response to alarm calls from the nest. Attending adults brought bark to their nests throughout incubation (19 days) and occasionally during nestling (21 days; range: 20–23). In the absence of adults, eggs and young nestlings were left covered with bark. Nest attention (daytime percentage an adult was inside the cavity) was 63±3% during incubation, fell to 38±9% in the first 4 days after hatching, and approximately 0% after nestlings were 10 days old and had open pin feathers. Nestlings were fed almost exclusively arthropods, and the feeding rate increased as brooding declined. Nest survival was 0.984 (95% CI: 0.970–0.992) daily or 0.50 (0.26–0.70) for the nesting period. For four of six broods, when nestlings fledged, a second adult (possibly a male) participated minimally. Our observations cover the mating system and division of parental care in Furnariidae, the advantages of covering eggs and nestlings, and the possibility that males increase parental care during the vulnerable fledgling stage.