Egg-derived biomaterials in biomedical engineering: advances, applications and future perspectives

Egg, as a naturally available raw material with favorable biocompatibility and low cost, has attracted growing attention in biomedical engineering. Advances in fabrication and modification allow diverse egg components to be functionally tailored into printable protein-based hydrogels and bioactive scaffolds, showing promise in preclinical research for potential tissue repair and wound healing applications. Existing studies mostly focus on the properties of individual egg components, while integrated summaries of multicomponent modification strategies and application systems remain limited. This review consolidates findings on egg-derived components, linking their material characteristics and processing strategies with biomedical application requirements. It summarizes the functional features and processing techniques of egg white (EW) protein, egg yolk (EY) fractions, eggshell (ES), and eggshell membrane (ESM). Key advances include printable protein-based hydrogels, reinforced bioactive scaffolds, stimuli-responsive delivery systems, and multifunctional wound dressings with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory functions. Remaining challenges include compositional variability, poor reproducibility in fabrication, potential immunogenicity and allergenicity, and barriers to scalable production. This review provides a basis for the rational design of egg-derived biomaterials and identifies priorities for further research. Standardized fabrication protocols, rigorous safety assessment, and long-term in vivo validation are critical to support the future translation of these versatile materials into viable biomedical technologies.