Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Mechanical Separation and Protein Solubilization of the Outer and Inner Perivitelline Sublayers from Hen's Eggs
Published on: January 27, 2021
Effect of fertilization on structural and molecular characteristics of hen egg ovalbumin
Xiang Duan1, Mei Li1, Bing Ji1
1College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, PR China.
Abstract:
Egg ovalbumin possesses high processing properties and allergenic behaviour relating to its particular molecular structure. Fertilized eggs provide a natural model for studying the structural change of ovalbumin. After fertilization, free sulfhydryl content increased from 1.03μmol/g protein to 1.07 and 1.25μmol/g protein on days 9 and 15 of incubation. Surface hydrophobicity of fertilized egg ovalbumin was higher than that of unfertilized egg ovalbumin (42.59), reaching 47.00 and 53.09 at 9 and 15days. A secondary structural change occurred during this period, characterized by an increase in extended-chain segments and a decrease in intermolecular β-sheets. Hydrolysis degree of ovalbumin increased from 10.17% to 16.40% after 15days of incubation. Furthermore, new ovalbumin-related proteins X and Y emerged on day 9, and then all ovalbumin spots reduced in abundance on day 15. These results warrant further research into the effect of fertilization on functional properties of ovalbumin.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Fertilization
Oogenesis
Oogenesis
Each primary oocyte is surrounded by a layer of pre-granulosa cells, forming what is...
Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

