Physico-chemical and functionality of air and spray dried egg powder: implications to improving diets

Weak market linkages, unavailability of cold-storage, and the significant loss of eggs due to breakage and low shelf-life contribute to the unaffordability and the low consumption of eggs in low-income countries like Ethiopia. The effect of spray- and oven-drying of eggs from local (Ethiopian) and exotic (imported) chicken breeds on physical, techno-functional, and nutritional composition of egg-powders were evaluated. Exotic (n = 150) and local (n = 140) eggs were spray/oven dried. The yield, bulk-density, flowability, and the foaming-, emulsification-, and water/oil absorption-capacity of the egg powders were assessed. The concentrations in energy, protein, fat, ash, and minerals were determined. The egg-powders' contribution to nutrient requirements for a child and their potential use as an alternative protein source in ready to use therapeutic foods (RUTF) were estimated. The low moisture (<5%) and water activity (a(w)similar to 0.4-0.5) of the egg-powders implied unfavorable conditions for microbial growth. Local eggs had higher energy and fat content, whereas protein was higher in the exotic eggs (P <.05). About 12.5 g of egg powder (one egg) can fulfill >75%, 30%, and 40% of fat, energy, and calcium requirements for children 6-23 months of age, respectively. Only 6 g and 4 g of egg-powder are needed to fulfill protein and choline requirements, respectively. Considering the quality/quantity of proteins, egg powders can be alternative protein sources in RUTFs. The drying of local and exotic eggs with oven- and spray-drying yielded egg powders with acceptable techno-functional properties, but future studies should elucidate differences observed by egg type and drying; and investigate the shelf-life. Drying eggs can be a viable food systems' intervention that can improve the safety and quality of diets in low-income countries like Ethiopia.