Eggshells: A Forgotten Treasure with Medical and Environmental Benefits

Global egg production reached approximately 91 million metric tons, providing around 82 million tons of the finest food to consumers worldwide. As a byproduct, approximately 9 million metric tons of eggshells are produced annually. Eggshells are rich in calcium carbonate, proteins, and a wide range of interesting biomolecules. However, approximately 90% of eggshells are discarded by consumers along with other food waste. One of the simplest uses for eggshells is soil improvement, as they help adjust pH levels in both gardens and for houseplants. For years, approximately 900,000 metric tons of eggshells were disposed of by egg producers in landfills. However, since the early 21st century, scientists have begun to take a closer look at eggshells—not only at the outer shell, which is 95% calcium carbonate, but also at the inner membrane layer, rich in proteins such as collagen, hyaluronic acid, and lysozyme. This layer is characterized by its unique chemical composition, which resembles the cellular environment in body tissues, making it a subject of interest in the field of biomedical applications. In addition to being a rich source of calcium, eggshells and their membranes have been used to facilitate the regeneration of human tissues, including bones, cartilage, and nerves. They have also demonstrated beneficial properties in wound healing and contributed to the recovery of skin lesions. It is worth noting that between 2015 and 2020, 1,075.5 patents were registered worldwide related to the uses of eggshells, most of which were filed by Chinese inventors. It is worth noting that China accounted for more than a third of global egg production in 2023. I previously highlighted in an earlier article the importance of egg producers collaborating in the areas of packaging and delivery, producing liquid eggs to meet the needs of pastry shops, and utilizing eggshells as an export commodity. Environmental Note: There is a global trend toward reducing the use of plastic bottles, which harm the environment. It is surprising that most areas of Kuwait have “water fountains” on street corners, while the country’s shopping malls lack drinking water fountains—a fact that is worth noting and finding puzzling.