Optimization of capillary electrophoresis-contactless conductivity detection method for analysis of inorganic cations in chicken egg shell

Abstract

Literature reports that structural composition of chicken egg shell is different and the difference is caused by inefficient feeding and lack of physical activity. It is assumed that quality of egg can be determined by quantity of Ca2+ and other inorganic elements and organic compounds, found in egg shell. Comparison of minerals in different chicken egg shells was performed between two types of eggs, which were taken from egg industry farms, where chickens live in cages and another type was picked from ecological Lithuanian farms, where chickens’ feeding and housing conditions are considered of being sufficient. Capillary zone electrophoresis method with capacitance-to-digital based contactless conductivity detector was optimized and used for determination of mineral inorganic compounds and comparison of different egg shells. Optimized conditions were following: 0.5M acetic acid was used as a background electrolyte. 0.25 grams of chicken egg shell powder, from egg industry farms, dissolved in 16.65 mM acetic acid solution and ecological egg shell powder dissolved in 66.65 mM acetic acid solution. Total capillary length was 48 cm and capillary length to detector was 38 cm. Applied voltage was 14 kV and separation temperature was 30°C.