Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) is one of the most extensively utilized inorganic compounds in pharmaceutical, food, and biomedical sciences. Among its diverse natural sources, chicken eggshells have emerged as a highly sustainable, cost-effective, and biocompatible raw material for CaCO₃ extraction. Eggshell-derived calcium carbonate (ES-CaCO₃) constitutes approximately 94–96% of the eggshell composition and offers several physicochemical advantages over synthetically produced or commercially mined calcium carbonate, including superior crystalline quality, minimal heavy metal contamination, and excellent biocompatibility. This review comprehensively examines the extraction, purification, and physicochemical characterization of ES-CaCO₃, including analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The biological and pharmacological properties of ES-CaCO₃ are detailed, encompassing its antacid activity, calcium supplementation efficacy, bone regeneration potential, and antimicrobial properties. The review further explores five pharmaceutical formulation approaches: three conventional systems (tablets, capsules, and oral suspensions) and two novel drug delivery systems (medicated chewing gum and floating gastroretentive tablets) wherein ES-CaCO₃ serves as either an active ingredient or a multifunctional excipient. Additionally, the role of ES-CaCO₃ in environmental applications and biowaste valorization is discussed. The discussion section addresses current challenges, regulatory considerations, clinical evidence, and comparative performance of ES-CaCO₃ versus commercial-grade CaCO₃. Finally, future research directions focusing on nanoparticle synthesis, targeted drug delivery, and industrial scalability are outlined.
Janwale Sahil Sonlal¹*, Dr. Ramteke Kuldeep H.², Jadhav Jayesh Gangadhar¹, Jagnade Sujal Anil¹, Kad Avishkar Suresh¹ (2026) studied this question.