Scientific Programme

Desired compositional changes of the raw material, hen egg albumen and yolk, are induced by skilful breeding and feeding of hens. However, the changes in feeding practises have to be done in such a way, that the well-being of hens is guaranteed, because it is strongly related to consumers acceptance and the quality of the eggs. Fractionation or other processes are necessary to produce tailored egg components for the novel uses of eggs. Methods for characterisation of fractions, functional properties of the fractions, which include technological, biological, nutritional and antioxidant properties are also needed. Thus, in this COST Action an extensive group of professionals and experts are needed from poultry science to nutrition and from food science to biochemistry and chemical technology.

The purpose of COST923 is to link the multidisciplinary hen egg research conducted in different European countries. The objective of the network formed thereby is to find uses and increase utilisation of novel hen egg products as (functional) food ingredients, and encourage the new non-food uses. These new ways of using hen eggs and their fractions help in consuming the overproduction of eggs common in both the European Union Member States and the Non-EU member states in Europe.

To achieve the objectives, the Action work is divided up into three working groups: WG1 (Food uses of novel hen egg products and fractions), WG2 (Non-food uses of hen eggs) and WG3 (New techniques and technologies for fractionation, analysis and processing of yolk and albumen). WG1 and WG2 aim to find and develop novel usest for hen egg yolk and albumen and their fractions. WG3 is a foundation for the other two WG's by providing tools nevessary in the production and development of novel egg products and fractions.

Common tasks for all three working groups include:

• Collecting the existing research data and reporting the status quo of egg processing and production possibilities to the industrial partners and to public.
• Pinpointing the possivle industrial applications, which need further fundamental of basic study and recommending such research topics and research collaboration within and between WG'2 and their participants.
• Spotting the applications, which need technological development before industrialisation. Making suggestions for the WG3 and its participants to find funding for research collaboration between WG3 participants as well as with other relevant research parties.
• Recognising the themes, which are with minor R&D effort suitable for industrialisation, and finding ways to transfer this knowledge and technology to the industrial partners.