Evaluation of Copper, Iron, Zinc, Magnesium and Calcium Contents of Chicken Eggs in Ankara Region by Using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract

The concentrations of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) in the yolk, white and shell portions of chicken eggs collected from different farms and villages in the Ankara region of Türkiye, as well as from a whole egg powder standard reference material (NIST, CRM 8415), were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Samples were digested in nitric acid + perchloric acid +hydrogen peroxide mixture. Analyte contents were found in descending order Ca ˃ Mg ˃ Fe ˃ Zn ˃ Cu across in all portions of eggs. The levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu found in farm eggs were lower than those in village eggs. Detection limits for Cu, Fe, Zn, Mg and Ca found were 0.02, 0.02, 0.01, 0.01, and 0.01 mg/L, respectively. Percent recoveries of elements found in whole egg powder (CRM 8415) were in the range of 96 – 99%.

Keywords

• Egg
• Yolk
• White
• Eggshell
• Metal contents

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