Research Article | 30 Sep 2025

Egg yolk-derived phosvitin as a natural chelator: In vivo mitigation of mercury toxicity in rats

Made Sriasih1 , Anwar Rosyidi1 , Rukmanggana Satya Pratiwi2 , I Gusti Ayu Sri Andayani2 , Citranggana Prajnya Dewi2 , Ardiana Ekawanti2 , Ryan Aryadin Putra3 , and Sulaiman Ngongu Depamede1 Show more
VETERINARY WORLD | pg no. 2900-2917 | Vol. 18, Issue 9 | DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2025.2900-2917
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Abstract

          
Background and Aim: Mercury (hydrargyrum, Hg) exposure poses significant risks to human, animal, and environmental health due to its persistence and toxicity. Conventional chelating agents, though effective, are limited by adverse side effects and reduced efficacy in chronic exposure. Phosvitin (PSV), a highly phosphorylated protein from egg yolk with strong metal-binding capacity, offers potential as a natural detoxifying agent. This study aimed to evaluate, for the first time in vivo, the chelating efficacy of egg yolk-derived PSV against Hg toxicity in rats.
Materials and Methods: PSV was isolated from Isa Brown hen egg yolks through ethanol precipitation and characterized for purity and antioxidant activity using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate–Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis, Kjeldahl analysis, and the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay. Twenty-five male rats were exposed to Hg-contaminated fish feed (0.17 ppm for 14 days) and subsequently treated with commercial or isolated PSV at 10, 20, or 30 ppm for 4 weeks. Hematological indices, liver and kidney histopathology, and Hg accumulation in brain tissue were assessed. Data were analyzed using R software (v4.4.0), with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Results: The isolated PSV exhibited moderate antioxidant activity, comparable to that of commercial standards, with a purity of 51.68%. Hg exposure significantly increased white blood cell (WBC) and basophil counts, indicating immune activa­tion. PSV administration, particularly at 20 ppm, markedly reduced WBC and basophil levels, reflecting immunomodulatory activity. Histopathological analysis revealed reduced hepatic necrosis and milder liver damage in treated groups, with mod­est improvement in renal structure, though not statistically significant. Brain analysis showed decreased Hg accumulation in the 10 and 20 ppm PSV groups, while the 30 ppm group exhibited inconsistent effects.
Conclusion: Egg yolk-derived PSV, especially at 20 ppm, effectively mitigated Hg-induced hematological, hepatic, and neu­ral toxicity, supporting its role as a safe natural chelator. These findings highlight its potential as a dietary intervention in Hg-exposed populations. Optimization of extraction methods, larger-scale studies, and long-term safety assessments are needed to advance its translational application in toxicology and public health.
          
Keywords: egg yolk, mercury toxicity, natural chelator, oxidative stress, phosvitin, rat.