Abstract: The invention provides a three dimensional (3D), porous, biodegradable and biocompatible tissue engineering scaffold, wherein at least 25% w/w of the scaffold is particulate egg shell membrane (ESM) distributed substantially uniformly therein and the scaffold is essentially dry. Methods for preparing the same by freeze-drying and cryogelation and the use thereof in methods of tissue engineering and to promote the healing of wounds are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a dry biocompatible film comprising at least one film forming material and particulate egg shell membrane (ESM), wherein said particulate ESM is distributed substantially uniformly in and/or on the film and wherein said film, or portion thereof, disintegrates upon contact with a wound or an exudate thereof. The invention further provides methods for preparing the films of the invention and the uses thereof in methods to promote the healing of wounds.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of processing eggshell residues, which emanate from an egg breaking unit (1) and comprise eggshell portions as well as membrane portions. The method comprises feeding of the eggshell residues into a cyclone (5), which is driven by a process gas having a temperature of less than 85° C. In said cyclone (5) vortex processing of the eggshell residues leads to peeling of said membrane portions off of said eggshell portions, such that said eggshell portions become separated from said membrane portions. A mix mainly of process gas, vapour and droplets is released through a top outlet (6) of said cyclone (5), whereas a mixture mainly of separated eggshell portions and membrane portions is released through a bottom outlet (7) of said cyclone (5). Finally in a sorting device (8) sorting of said released mixture is performed into an eggshell portion part and a membrane portion part.