The word albumen comes from the Latin word albus, meaning white. The albumen, and the albumin protein it contains, performs many complex functions in the eggs, including protection against microorganisms and providing water and cushioning to the growing chick.
Differential scanning calorimetry indicates that chicken egg albumin denatures at 84 °C. Ovalbumin can be used as a carrier protein to conjugate to synthetic peptides for use as an immunogen