Abstract

We analyzed the contents of the major elements calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), the trace elements zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) of chicken eggs from free-range and conventional rearing systems using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The Ca, Cu, Zn and Se contents of the conventional eggs were significantly higher than those of free-range eggs and the Mn and Pb contents of the conventional eggs were significantly lower. The P and Cd values were no different between the two rearing systems. Our results give an indication of mineral element levels in eggs from hens kept in different husbandry systems.

Keywords:

Conventional, egg-yolk, free range, ICP-MS, trace elements,

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Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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