Abstract

• Eggshells are a rich source of mineral salts mainly calcium carbonate. This work was aimed to study the elemental contents and to characterize the egg shell wastes such as chicken, duck and quail eggshells for the preparation of calcium acetate. Relative abundances of elements in eggshells were determined by using X-ray fluorescence technique. Results of X-ray diffraction showed that the crystalline phase present in the waste sample is calcium carbonate in the form of calcite (CaCO3).The comparative analysis of calcium carbonate contents was carried out for the selected eggshells by using back titration method. Furthermore, preparations of calcium acetate were done from three eggshell samples by soaking calcium carbonate in vinegar. The yield percent of the prepared calcium acetate were 46.76 % for chicken eggshell, 33.00 % for duck eggshell and 32.27 % for quail eggshell. Melting point determinations of calcium acetate were also done for three eggshell samples. The functional groups present in calcium acetate prepared from three eggshell samples were confirmed by FTIR analysis. The prepared calcium acetate were also be examined by EDXRF and SEM analysis. Chicken eggshell waste is appropriate and cheap source for preparation of calcium acetate.