Analysis of water in the chicken eggshell using the 1H magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

The water content of the chicken eggshell has a major influence on gas (CO2 and O2) permeability. Inappropriate water loss during the incubation period increases embryo mortality and decreases chick quality. So far only the procedures that enable to determine the total water content in the eggshell have been described and developed. Our analysis of the 1H MAS NMR spectra of the chicken eggshell samples revealed three signals, differing significantly in the chemical shift and relaxation times (T1) parameters. In this work we have assigned those signals and described the changes in their intensities that occur during the incubation period. Using 1H MAS NMR it is possible to distinguish two types of water reservoirs in the chicken eggshell. This approach can be used for more detailed analysis of the water content in the eggshells.