Studies on egg shells. I.—The determination of membrane‐, pore‐ and matrix‐protein

Abstract

Abstract The protein in egg shells consists of the matrix‐protein closely associated with the mineral matter, the protein in the pores and a thin cuticle on the outside. In addition, the shell membranes are usually considered under the same heading although, strictly speaking, they are not part of the shell. A method has been devised by which the shell‐plus membrane‐protein can be divided into three distinct entities, by making use of the different rates at which these entities dissolve on boiling with sodium hydroxide solution. The method is arbitrary, and thus not absolutely accurate, but it appears to give a measure of entities which probably represent (1) membrane‐ and cuticle‐ (2) pore‐ and (3) matrix‐protein.