[Lipids in the egg shell of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) (author's transl)]

The egg shell (with cuticle) of the ostrich contained a total lipid concentration of 0.19 mg/g egg shell; the phospholipids constituted the major portion, among the neutral' lipids cholesterol esters, cholesterol and free fatty acids were identified. The egg shell lipids showed a stimulating effect on the crystal growth of calcium carbonate; the highest rate of crystal growth was observed with the phospholipid fraction.