Abstract
Investigation of eggshell membrane by amino acid analysis and radioimmunoassay established the presence of the crosslinking amino acids desmosine and isodesmosine at levels of 28 μg/100 mg dry weight. Specific enzymatic and chemical hydrolysis indicates that these crosslinks are present as constituents of eggshell membrane protein and do not reflect the presence of small amounts of elastin. The eggshell membrane protein has approximately 10 times the level of lysine-derived aldehyde found in elastin.