Eggshell Membrane as a Biomaterial for Bone Regeneration

Abstract

The physicochemical features of the avian eggshell membrane play an essential role in the process of calcium carbonate deposition during shell mineralization, giving rise to a porous mineralized tissue with remarkable mechanical properties and biological functions. The membrane could be useful by itself or as a bi-dimensional scaffold to build future bone-regenerative materials. This review focuses on the biological, physical, and mechanical properties of the eggshell membrane that could be useful for that purpose. Due to its low cost and wide availability as a waste byproduct of the egg processing industry, repurposing the eggshell membrane for bone bio-material manufacturing fulfills the principles of a circular economy. In addition, eggshell membrane particles have has the potential to be used as bio-ink for 3D printing of tailored implantable scaffolds. Herein, a literature review was conducted to ascertain the degree to which the properties of the eggshell membrane satisfy the requirements for the development of bone scaffolds. In principle, it is biocompatible and non-cytotoxic, and induces proliferation and differentiation of different cell types. Moreover, when implanted in animal models, it elicits a mild inflammatory response and displays characteristics of stability and biodegradability. Furthermore, the eggshell membrane possesses a mechanical viscoelastic behavior comparable to other collagen-based systems. Overall, the biological, physical, and mechanical features of the eggshell membrane, which can be further tuned and improved, make this natural polymer suitable as a basic component for developing new bone graft materials.

The chicken eggshell membrane: a versatile, sustainable, biological material for translational biomedical applications

“…Likewise, the ability of the ESM to prevent the internalisation of bacteria and thus its antibacterial properties are widely accepted (Ahlborn and Sheldon 2006). The presence of desmosine and isodesmosine crosslinks allows the ESM to be insoluble, allowing it to support the embryo during development (Torres-Mansilla et al 2023).…”

“…It has been widely observed that the ESM is a proteinrich structure containing over 500 different proteins and acts as a natural source of collagen, fibronectin, proteoglycans, glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid and many amino acids such as arginine, glutamic acid, histidine, cystine, and proline which are found in high concentrations (Chi and Zhao 2009, Guru and Dash 2014, Ahmed et al 2019a, Mensah et al 2021. In addition to the proteins and amino acids, CaCO 3 is also present in the ESM, this is due to the presence of a level of mineralisation in the outer membrane (Arias et al 1993, Shi et al 2021, Torres-Mansilla et al 2023. The close resemblance in structure between the ESM and extracellular matrix (ECM) and vast biological The ESM provides a natural source of substances vital for tissue engineering and wound healing.…”

“…In the early 2000s, researchers began to explore the potential of ESM in tissue engineering, where it could be used as a scaffold material to support the growth of new tissue (Mohammadzadeh et al 2021). One study published in 2023 demonstrated the ability of ESM to support the growth of bone cells in vitro, leading to the suggestion that it could be used as a bone graft material (Torres-Mansilla et al 2023). Other studies have shown the potential of ESM for cartilage regeneration, nerve regeneration, and other tissue engineering applications (Ninov et al 2015, Kim 2020.…”

“…The chicken eggshell membrane (ESM) is a natural biomaterial that has gained increasing attention in the biomedical field due to its unique properties, versatility, and sustainability (figure 1). It is a thin filmlike structure that lines the interior surface of the eggshell and separates the albumen from the shell (Torres et al 2010, Chai et al 2013, Park et al 2016, Baláž 2014, Chen, Kang and Sukigara 2014, Mensah et al 2021, Shi et al 2021, Zurita-Méndez et al 2022, Torres-Mansilla et al 2023. The ESM is composed of a complex matrix of proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and minerals that confer it with remarkable biodegradability and biocompatibility (Park et al 2016, Ahmed et al 2019a, Torres-Mansilla et al 2023.…”

“…It is a thin filmlike structure that lines the interior surface of the eggshell and separates the albumen from the shell (Torres et al 2010, Chai et al 2013, Park et al 2016, Baláž 2014, Chen, Kang and Sukigara 2014, Mensah et al 2021, Shi et al 2021, Zurita-Méndez et al 2022, Torres-Mansilla et al 2023. The ESM is composed of a complex matrix of proteins, glycosaminoglycans, and minerals that confer it with remarkable biodegradability and biocompatibility (Park et al 2016, Ahmed et al 2019a, Torres-Mansilla et al 2023. The ESM has been used for various applications, such as food supplements, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics.…”