DETERMINATION OF SOME MINERAL NUTRIENTS IN SALWA EGGS COLLECTED FROM SOKOTO, NIGERIA

Some mineral nutrients were determined using AAS in Salwa eggs collected from Sokoto, Nigeria. The results of this study demonstrate that eggshells and whole egg content have distinct mineral profiles. Notably, eggshells contain significantly higher levels of iron (600.0 ± 25.1 ppm) and calcium (331.0 ± 0.5 ppm) compared to whole egg content. In contrast, whole egg content has higher levels of selenium (1.20 ± 0.4 ppm), magnesium (131.3 ± 2.5 ppm), and sodium (2.13 ± 0.11 ppm) compared to eggshells. The high iron and calcium content in eggshells suggests potential applications in agriculture, nutrition, or industry, such as using eggshells as a natural source of calcium for animal feed or as a soil amendment. The presence of essential micronutrients like zinc and copper in both eggshells and whole egg content highlights the nutritional value of eggs. The findings of this study can inform the development of new products or applications that utilize eggshells and whole egg content, potentially reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices. Further research is needed to explore the practical applications and benefits of utilizing eggshells and whole egg content in various industries.