Properties of Avian Egg Shells and Their Adaptive Value

Board, R. G.

doi:10.1111/j.1469-185x.1982.tb00362.x

Cited by 118 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Here we showed that the surface topography of brush-turkey eggs, determined by the presence of nanoscale spheres composed of calcium phosphate, renders the eggs hydrophobic, decreases bacterial attachment and is most likely the major component preventing trans-shell penetration. Elemental analysis showed high concentrations of phosphorus on the layer of spheres of the brush-turkey cuticle, which likely corresponds to the presence of calcium phosphate (Board, 1982). A cuticle composed of calcium phosphate is rare compared with the more common calcium carbonate (vaterite) or the most ubiquitous organic cuticle (glycoprotein), and has only been found in eggshell cuticles of greater flamingos and guinea fowl (Tullett et al, 1976), grebes (Board et al, 1984) and Mallee fowl .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antimicrobial properties of a nanostructured eggshell from a compost-nesting bird

D’Alba

Jones

Badawy

et al. 2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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Infection is an important source of mortality for avian embryos but parental behaviors and eggs themselves can provide a network of antimicrobial defenses. Mound builders (Aves: Megapodiidae) are unique among birds in that they produce heat for developing embryos not by sitting on eggs but by burying them in carefully tended mounds of soil and microbially decomposing vegetation. The low infection rate of eggs of one species in particular, the Australian brush-turkey (Alectura lathami), suggests that they possess strong defensive mechanisms. To identify some of these mechanisms, we first quantified antimicrobial albumen proteins and characterized eggshell structure, finding that albumen was not unusually antimicrobial, but that eggshell cuticle was composed of nanometer-sized calcite spheres. Experimental tests revealed that these modified eggshells were significantly more hydrophobic and better at preventing bacterial attachment and penetration into the egg contents than chicken eggs. Our results suggest that these mechanisms may contribute to the antimicrobial defense system of these eggs, and may provide inspiration for new biomimetic anti-fouling surfaces.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antimicrobial properties of a nanostructured eggshell from a compost-nesting bird

D’Alba

Jones

Badawy

et al. 2013

Journal of Experimental Biology

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“…Eggs of species that nest in more humid and wet environments are more likely to have cuticular nanospheres. This is most likely because humid environments increase the risk of flooding of eggs and/or microbial infection [10,21]. Therefore, these data suggest that nanospheres are selected for protection against occlusion of pores and microbial or other environmental threats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…In wet environments, the eggshell pore canal can become flooded and impede exchange of vital gasses through the shell, impairing embryonic growth and potentially leading to asphyxiation [21]. In addition, bacterial transport with liquid water or water vapour through the pores is a mechanism for microbial infection [17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The evolution of eggshell cuticle in relation to nesting ecology

et al. 2016

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Avian eggs are at risk of microbial infection prior to and during incubation. A large number of defence mechanisms have evolved in response to the severe costs imposed by these infections. The eggshell's cuticle is an important component of antimicrobial defence, and its role in preventing contamination by microorganisms in domestic chickens is well known. Nanometer-scale cuticular spheres that reduce microbial attachment and penetration have recently been identified on eggs of several wild avian species. However, whether these spheres have evolved specifically for antimicrobial defence is unknown. Here, we use comparative data on eggshell cuticular structure and nesting ecology to test the hypothesis that birds nesting in habitats with higher risk of infection (e.g. wetter and warmer) are more likely to evolve cuticular nanospheres on their eggshells than those nesting in less risky habitats. We found that nanostructuring, present in 54 of 296 analysed species, is the ancestral condition of avian eggshells and has been retained more often in taxa that nest in humid infection-prone environments, suggesting that they serve critical roles in antimicrobial egg defence.

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“…The cuticle is an uneven layer whose inner part is made up of a protein-carbohydrate complex containing a small amount of the crystal complex hydroxyapatite deposited during the final phase of eggshell calcification; the outermost layer remains non-mineralized (Rose-Martel et al, 2012). Its function is either to bridge the outer pore openings or to extend down into the pore canals, plugging them (Board, 1982). The cuticle also links the lumina of pore canals to the egg's exterior and, thereby, serves as a pathway for gas diffusion (Board and Scott, 1980).…”

Section: The Eggshell and Cuticlementioning

confidence: 99%

Scientific Opinion on the public health risks of table eggs due to deterioration and development of pathogens

2014

EFSA Journal

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Salmonella Enteritidis is considered the only pathogen currently posing a major risk of egg-borne diseases in the European Union (EU). The possible impact of extending the shelf-life of eggs on the risk to consumers posed by S. Enteritidis was estimated by applying a quantitative model and comparing the actual situation regarding the storage of eggs in the EU with different possible scenarios combined, considering the prolongation of the bestbefore and the sell-by date from 7 to a maximum of 70 days. Extending the sell-by date by one week (from 21 to 28 days), but leaving the best-before date unchanged, is estimated to result in a relative risk of illness of 1.4 and 1.5 for uncooked and lightly cooked egg meals respectively, compared to the current situation. If the best-before date is also extended by one week (from 28 to 35 days), the relative risk would be 1.6 and 1.7. In the worst case scenario considered (sell-by date of 42 days, best before date of 70 days), such figures would be 2.9 and 3.5. It should be noted that the absolute risk is greater for uncooked meals compared to lightly cooked meals. An effective way to minimise any increase in risk during extended storage is to keep the eggs refrigerated both at retail and the household. Regarding egg spoilage, such events strongly depend on the hygienic conditions of egg production and practices of egg handling, including storage times and temperatures. Finally, the impact of the prolongation of storage time on the quality criteria for eggs (3-hydroxybutyric acid and lactic acid) destined for manufacturing of egg products is considered negligible. Specifically, EFSA was asked to assess: (i) the public health risk posed by relevant pathogens and in particular by Salmonella in the consumption and handling of table eggs (Term of Reference, or ToR1), (ii) the public health risk deriving from deterioration (ToR2) and (iii) possible consequences for public health of an extended shelf-life of table eggs for the specific freshness criteria for egg products as laid out in the hygiene package (ToR3). © European Food Safety Authority, 2014 KEY WORDSIn order to answer the first ToR, the BIOHAZ Panel based its conclusions on the results of a quantitative model, aimed at describing the behaviour of Salmonella Enteritidis following vertical transmission, since this serovar is recognised to be the major pathogen related to egg-borne disease because of its ability to contaminate the interior of intact eggs during their formation within the body of an infected hen. The possible impact of extending the shelf-life of eggs on other serovars of Salmonella, as well as on other pathogens, is evaluated in a qualitative manner, with no individual serovar other than S. Enteritidis currently posing a major risk of egg-borne salmonellosis in the European Union (EU), although S. Typhimurium has been associated with relatively small outbreaks due to duck eggs. Trans-shell contamination (i.e. secondary contamination) is also discussed, but the impact of a prolongation of the shelf ...

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Properties of Avian Egg Shells and Their Adaptive Value

Cited by 118 publications

References 61 publications

Antimicrobial properties of a nanostructured eggshell from a compost-nesting bird

Antimicrobial properties of a nanostructured eggshell from a compost-nesting bird

The evolution of eggshell cuticle in relation to nesting ecology

Scientific Opinion on the public health risks of table eggs due to deterioration and development of pathogens

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