Eggshell Membrane
Kewpie is a food manufacturer that uses eggs more than any other company in Japan, and is pursuing the effective use and potential of eggshell membrane, a byproduct of its own egg-cracking process.
① What is Eggshell membrane
Eggshell Membrane is the thin membrane on the inside of an eggshell. Its prime constituent is protein and it has a two layered, reticulated structures. The exterior is rough, while the interior structure is dense. It is said that injured Sumo wrestlers used to apply Eggshell Membrane to open wounds to promote wound healing.
② Sastenability
Kewpie’s group uses about 10% of all eggs produced in Japan for produce mayonnaise and other products. Approximately 28,000 tons of eggshells are generated annually in this process. They will place an enormous environmental burden if they are discarded.
Kewpie has studied various technology to pulverized and solubilized eggshell membrane to be reused in various different products. Eggshell membrane has increased in popularly as a sustainable and upcycle ingredients.
③ Long histry
In Japan
Raw material that has been attracting attention for a long time.
Described in a medical drug catalog of ancient China.
Even today in the Sumo world, wounds are sometimes treated with Eggshell
Membranes, and are also called “natural plasters.”
In kewpie
- 1982 Started research on eggshell membrane
- 1991 Began selling under the trade name "EM Protein”
- 1997 Began production as a flavor enhancer and included in the company's main dressing product.
- 2002 Focused on its effect on hair, began shipping as a raw material for perm products
- 2003 Developed a material for car seats through joint research with a chemical manufacturer.
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① Componet composition of Eggshell membrane
- ・The main component of the Eggshell Membrane is protein.
- ・In addition to 18 kinds of amino acids, collagen and hyaluronic acid, Desmosine, a special amino acid found only in Elastin.
It is a treasure trove of beauty ingredients such as Isodesmosine. - ・The amino acid composition is close to human skin, which blends well in the skin.
② Benefits
For Foods
EM Powder (300) is an excellent material with a utilization rate of over 80% in the body.
Eggshell membrane is generally said to be effective in improving knee joint pain, Kewpie has confirmed its sunburn prevention effect as a cosmetic effect on the skin.
Functionality of EM Powder (300) ：Sunburn Prevention Effect
It was confirmed that oral intake with vitamin C suppressed skin sensitivity to ultraviolet irradiation.
- ・Intake period: 6 weeks
- ・Dose: 2.5 g of EM Powder (300) + 0.3 g of vitamin C
- ・Measured item: calorific value for sunburn
For Cosmetics
Eggshell membrane is insoluble in water, but Kewpie's proprietary technology for making eggshell membrane finer and more soluble in water has hydrolyzed it into a water-soluble powder.
Collagen production and skin moisture effects (in-vivo) were confirmed.
EMlastic Functionality: Promotes collagen production
EMlastic 0.1% and 1% solution were applied to the forearms and the collagen density was measured by ultrasound in the Derma Lab.
Collagen density was measured by ultrasonic wave, After 8 weeks, it was confirmed that collagen increased.
Skin Moisture Effect(In-vivo)
EMlastic 1% solution and control (purified water) were applied to the upper arm twice a day, morning and evening.
SKICON measurements showed an increase in skin moisture content after 4 weeks.
For Fibers
Fibers coated with EM powder improve skin flexibility.
Eggshell membrane-attached fiber (600x)
Stockings coated with EM powder fixed on the upper arm for 8 hours x 16 days
For possibilities of any other fields
Other applications in medicine, chemistry, engineering, agriculture, and other fields are being studied around the world.