Chennai, 21 February (H.S.) : Eggs are known to be a nutritious food, but no one is know that their shells can also help heal broken bones? A research team at Periyar University, Salem, has patented two technologies for the commercial production of hydroxyapatite, a calcium phosphate mineral found in bones and teeth, from eggshells.

These technologies can be used to convert eggshells into bone grafts, coatings for dental and orthopedic implants, and scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.

One of the patented technologies involves flowing a solution containing ground eggshells and phosphate in a microwave reactor. This rapidly and uniformly heats the solution using microwave radiation at around 100 degrees Celsius. The resulting product contains calcium phosphate in powder form and other byproducts, which can be washed and removed.

The researchers claim that their technology helps in the quick production of hydroxyapatite from eggshells and provides a better yield. The team has also designed and developed an indigenous microwave machine for the process.

This technology is a significant step forward in the medical field and could mark the beginning of a new era in the treatment of broken bones.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary