Effect of a varying body allowance of protein and essential amino acids on the pool of free amino acids in the blood and tissues

The pool of free amino acids in the blood and tissues was studied, basing on the protein amount in the diet and its qualitative composition, in 60 male WAG rats (bw 130-150 g), using gas-liquid chromatography. Three levels of casein were used in the ration (8.25 and 64% by mass). Incomplete protein of vegetable origin--wheat gluten was given instead of casein in an amount of 25%. The data obtained evidence that alanine circulation in deficiency of protein and essential amino acids is lowered which is associated with the inhibition of transamination of branched amino acids into glutamate. Deficiency of lysine, methionine, threonine and tryptophan in wheat gluten, when it is given to rats, leads to a decrease of these amino acids' pool in the skeletal muscles and blood that indicates the development of their deficiency in the body. The use of the relevant protein in the animals' diet resulted in disorders oi gluconeogenic amino acids (serine, glycine, proline), aspartate and cysteine metabolism. The protein excess leads to the growth of most amino acids' pool. Thus, metabolism of amino acids and their content in the tissue depend on the direction of the amino acid metabolic processes and their concentration in the food ration.     

Formation of free fatty acid pool in the liver of rats during starvation

Absolute starvation during 2 days induces increased levels of taurine, phosphoethanolamine, ethanolamine, glycine, serine, threonine and decreased levels of aspartate, lysine, methionine and cystine in the rat liver. The ration of nonessential to essential, and glycogenic to ketogenic amino acids increased on the average by 30%. On day 4 of starvation the level of nonessential glycogenic amino acids is significantly lowered, while the concentration of essential ketogenic amino acids is increased. On day 6 essential ketogenic amino acid pool is more increased. On day 10 the shifts in the amino acid pool in the liver are retained, the reduction of alanine and serine content is most typical. The value of D2-Machalanobis, obtained during lineal discriminant analysis of amino acid pool and space distribution of the signs for the control and starving animals (during 10 days), was lower than that on day 4 and 6 of the experiment. The levels of glycine, serine lysine, leucine, glutamate, alanine and aspartate show the highest information content during such investigation of all the groups of animals.     

Free aromatic amino acids in egg yolk show antioxidant properties

Laying hens are known to be able to “bio-convert” health-promoting components from the diet into eggs. Wheat and corn are important sources of antioxidant phenolics in the human diet. Given the fact that wheat and corn are major feed ingredients of laying hens in Canada, the objectives of this study were to characterise the presence of novel phenolic compounds in egg yolk and to determine the effect of cooking methods on their content and activity. The total phenolic content of yolk extracts was 3.83 and 3.49 μmol gallic acid equivalents/g dry yolk for wheat-based and corn-based yolks, respectively. Antioxidant properties of yolk extracts were measured by the ORAC, DPPH and ABTS assays. ORAC values were 151.1 ± 26.1 and 155.9 ± 9.5 μmol TE/g for wheat-based and corn-based yolks, respectively. All cooking methods significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the antioxidant values. Ferulic acid was detected in trace amounts and no other phenolic compounds were found. However, tryptophan and tyrosine were found to be two main contributors to the antioxidant property of egg yolk. The contents of total free amino acids were 10081.0 and 10009.5 μg/g in wheat-based and corn-based yolks, respectively; cooking methods were found to reduce significantly the amount of free amino acids.     

The residue levels of narasin in eggs of laying hens fed with unmedicated and medicated feed

Laying hens were fed contaminated feed containing narasin 2.5 mg/kg for 21 days followed by a 7 day withdrawal period, hens in the control group were fed unmedicated feed. Eggs were collected during trial days 0, 3, 7, 14, 21 and after the withdrawal period of 7 days. The concentration of narasin in yolks and egg whites was analyzed by a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Narasin was found to accumulate in yolks, where the narasin concentration increased during the treatment. The concentration of narasin varied from 5.9 to 13.8 microg/kg (mean 10.6 microg/kg) in yolks after 21 day feeding periods. The concentrations of narasin ranged from < 0.9 to 1.4 microg/kg after the withdrawal period. Narasin residues were not found in egg whites of the laying hens fed contaminated feed nor in either yolks or egg whites of the laying hens fed unmedicated feed. The effect of cooking was also tested on the amount of narasin residues in eggs. Cooking for 10 min did not significantly influence the narasin residues in eggs. Traces of lasalocid were also found in the yolks. The traces of lasalocid are attributable to an accidental contamination of the feed during its manufacture.     

Chemical Compositions of Egg Yolks and Egg Quality of Laying Hens Fed Prebiotic,Probiotic, and Synbiotic Diets

A 16‐wk feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of a prebiotic, isomaltooligosaccharide (IMO), a probiotic, PrimaLac®, and their combination as a synbiotic on the chemical compositions of egg yolks and the egg quality of laying hens. One hundred and sixty 16‐wk‐old Hisex Brown pullets were randomly assigned to 4 dietary treatments: (i) basal diet (control), (ii) basal diet + 1% IMO (PRE), (iii) basal diet + 0.1% PrimaLac® (PRO), and (iv) basal diet + 1% IMO + 0.1% PrimaLac® (SYN). PRE, PRO, or SYN supplementation not only significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the egg yolk cholesterol (24‐ and 28‐wk‐old) and total saturated fatty acids (SFA; 28‐, 32‐, and 36‐wk‐old), but also significantly (P < 0.05) increased total unsaturated fatty acids (UFA; 28‐, 32‐, and 36‐wk‐old), total omega 6 and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), including linoleic and alpha‐linolenic acid levels in the eggs (28‐wk‐old). However, the total lipids, carotenoids, and tocopherols in the egg yolks were similar among all dietary treatments in the 24‐, 28‐, 32‐, and 36‐wk‐old hens. Egg quality (Haugh unit, relative weights of the albumen and yolk, specific gravity, shell thickness, and yolk color) was not affected by PRE, PRO, or SYN supplementation. The results indicate that supplementations with IMO and PrimaLac® alone or in combination as a synbiotic might be useful for improving the cholesterol content and modifying the fatty acid compositions of egg yolk without affecting the quality of eggs from laying hens between 24 and 36 wk of age.     

Effects of Lactobacillus cultures on performance of laying hens,and total cholesterol,lipid and fatty acid composition of egg yolk

BACKGROUND: The use of antibiotic growth promoters in animal feeds is not approved for laying hens in many countries, and economically feasible biological measures which include probiotics are developed to improve hen performance. The present study investigated the effects of probiotics on hen performance for a 48‐week period and the cholesterol, total lipid and fatty acid composition of egg yolk at 24, 28 and 32 weeks of age. RESULTS: Egg weight of Lactobacillus culture (LC)‐fed hens was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than that of control hens throughout the laying period. From 20 to 44 weeks of age, LC‐fed hens produced a significantly (P < 0.05) lower percentage of small eggs and a higher percentage of large eggs, and from 45 to 68 weeks of age a significantly (P < 0.05) lower percentage of medium eggs and a higher percentage of large and extra‐large eggs than control hens. Significantly (P < 0.05) less cholesterol was found in egg yolks of hens fed LC at 24 and 28 weeks of age, but not at 32 weeks of age. The total lipid content and the fatty acid composition of egg yolks were similar between the treatments at 24, 28 and 32 weeks of age, except for stearic acid (C_{18 : 0}), which was significantly reduced in the egg yolk of LC‐fed hens at 28–32 weeks of age. CONCLUSION: The greatest benefit of LC was in increasing egg weight and improving egg size by influencing a shift from small and medium to large and extra‐large eggs. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Amino acid composition of guineafowl's egg

Samples of eggs from two breeds (White-breasted and Pearl) of guinea hens which were housed either on deep litter or in layer cages were analysed for their content of amino acids. The protein content of whole eggs ranged from 482 to 494 mg g^?1, with a mean of 487 mg g^?1. Concentrations of the various amino acids in the egg ranged from 118 mg (tryptophan) to 752 mg (glutamic acid) per g N. The mean concentration of total sulphur amino acids was 395 mg per g N. Overall the amino acid composition of guineafowl egg was not affected by either breed or housing system.     

The nutritive value of triticale in diets for laying hens

The nutritive value of triticale was assessed over a ten-week period with Warren Studler hens. Test diets contained over 85% cereal plus 12% of a mineral/vitamin mixture with and without supplements of the amino acids, lysine and methionine, or a small inclusion of fishmeal. Egg production on such diets was compared with that on control diets based on oats and fishmeal and on diets containing barley grown adjacent to the triticale. Full egg production was achieved on the triticale diet without amino acid or protein supplementation. Corresponding barley diets supported production which was lower by about 10%. Individual egg weights tended to be lower on the triticale diet unsupplemented with amino acids than on the control or fully supplemented diets. Food conversion efficiency was better on the triticale than on the control or barley diets. Hens on triticale diets without amino acid or protein supplements lost more weight during the experiment than did control birds.     

Fatty acid profile and sensory characteristics of table eggs from laying hens fed hempseed and hempseed oil

Hempseed (HS) is rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, with approximately 17% of total fatty acids as alpha-linolenic acid. As such, HS and its oil may be used in hen diet formulations to produce eggs enriched in essential fatty acids. Because omega-3 eggs have the potential for unpleasant aromas and flavors, the current study was designed to assess the fatty acid profile and sensory attributes of eggs procured from hens consuming diets containing hempseed oil (HO) or HS. A total of 48 individually caged White Bovan hens received 1 of 6 diets containing 4%, 8%, 12% HO, 10%, 20% HS or 0% hemp (w/w) for 12 wk. Total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content was highest in the 12% HO group (15.3 mg/g of yolk) compared to the control (2.4 mg/g of yolk). Trained panellists (n= 8) found no significant differences (P≥ 0.05) in aroma or flavor between cooked eggs from different dietary treatments, with the exception of sweet flavor. The 4% HO group yielded the least sweet eggs compared to the 20% HS group, which was highest. For yolk color, L*, a*, and b* values (Mean ± SEM) for control eggs were 61.2 ± 0.10, 1.1 ± 0.05, and 43.0 ± 0.22, respectively. Addition of hemp led to significant (P < 0.001) reductions in L*, and significant increases in a* and b*, with the largest changes observed in the 20% HS treatment (L*= 58.7 ± 0.10; a*= 5.8 ± 0.05; b*= 60.5 ± 0.22). The results show that hemp use in hen diets leads to increased omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content and color intensity of egg yolks, but does not have adverse effects on the sensory profiles of the cooked eggs. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study provides evidence that HS and hempseed oil (HO) can safely be utilized as feed ingredients for laying hens to produce table eggs that are enriched in essential fatty acids. Additionally, the eggs procured from these hens had similar aroma and flavor compared to eggs from hens not fed any hemp. The greater the dietary hemp inclusion, the more pigmented the resulting yolks became in terms of darkness, redness, and yellowness.     

Tocopherols, Retinol and Carotenes in Chicken Egg and Tissues as Influenced by Dietary Palm Oil

Incorporation of palm oil (PO) increased the α-and γ-tocotrienol content of eggs, liver, meat and adipose tissue. Total tocotrienols were higher in eggs, liver and adipose tissue of hens fed 1.5% PO than those fed 3.5% PO. An increase in retinol was observed in the eggs, liver and dark meat of hens fed PO diet. Feeding diets containing 1.5 or 3.5% PO increased the α-and β- carotenes in eggs and liver tissue. However, carotenoids were not detected in white meat, dark meat or adipose tissue. Dark meat incorporated higher levels of tocopherols and retinol than white meat. The diets had no effect on egg or yolk weight. Egg yolks from hens fed PO had higher yolk color than those without PO. Addition of tocopherol mix in the control diet increased total tocopherol content in all tissues.     

Deposition of Carotenoids in Eggs from Hens Fed Diets Containing Saponified and Unsaponified Oleoresin Paprika

Deposition of carotenoids in saponified paprika (SP) and unsaponified oleoresin paprika (OP) in egg yolks as well as the dietary level for desired pigmentation were evaluated. Sixty-four hens on a carotenoid-depletion diet were divided into two replicated groups of each of eight dietary treatments containing from 0 to 16 mg paprika carotenoids per kg feed. Colour and the carotenoid content of egg yolk increased linearly ( P< 0·01) with the amounts of paprika carotenoids in the diets. The colours of egg yolks from hens fed similar concentra-tions of OP or SP were not significantly different ( P< 0·01). A low dose (4 mg kg⁻¹) of OP or SP provided yolk colour equivalent to the colour of eggs in supermarkets. High-performance liquid chromatographic analyses showed that carotenoids deposited in the yolk are in the free alcohol form, regardless of the form of carotenoids in the diet. Capsanthin, the predominant carotenoid in paprika, was deposited in egg yolk less efficiently than zeaxanthin and lutein.     

Growth ofSalmonella enteritidis(SE) in egg contents from hens vaccinated with an SE bacterin

Vaccination of hens withSalmonella enteritidis(SE) bacterin has become an important industry management tool to reduce both the incidence of SE in flocks and the production of SE-contaminated eggs. After vaccination, antibodies to SE can be found in both the serum and egg yolks. The current study was undertaken to examine whether the antibodies deposited in eggs after vaccination would have any effect on thein vitrogrowth of 10 SE seeded into pooled egg contents and incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The SE inoculum grew well in egg contents from control-vaccinated hens, and a high percentage of these samples were culture positive for SE. Conversely, significantly fewer egg contents from vaccinated hens were positive for SE at weeks 2, 3, 4, and 5 post-primary vaccination and weeks 1, 2, and 4 post-secondary vaccination. After 24 h incubation, the SE inoculum grew to 10⁸–10⁹organisms ml⁻¹in egg contents from control hens, while growing to less than 10⁴organisms ml⁻¹in egg contents from vaccinated hens. No inhibition of growth was observed for a second organism,Proteus mirabilis, in egg contents from bacterin-vaccinated hens, indicating antigen-specificity of the activity. Inhibition of SE growth was observed in egg contents from vaccinated hens diluted 1:5 in eggs from control hens. Mixed results were observed for egg contents receiving a 10-fold higher SE inoculum with significant inhibition of growth observed in one trial and minimal inhibition observed in a second trial. Supplementing the egg samples with an iron source abrogated the inhibition, suggesting that the iron- restricted environment found in eggs may play a role in the observed inhibition.     

Variable effects on egg yolks and yolk lipoprotein fractions of feeding methyl sterculate to hens: Periodic changes in lipid composition and gelation temperature

As part of a study of the reasons for the large effects of a small dietary supplement of methyl sterculate on the physical properties and lipid composition of hen's egg yolk, individual yolks from sterculate-fed hens have been examined. These yolks set to a firm gel on cooling in the range 20-0 °C, but there were large variations in eggs from different hens that were accompanied by variations in the proportion of saturated fatty acid residues in the yolk lipids. Gel formation was reversible on immediate rewarming but prolonged storage at low temperature caused irreversible alterations. Diluted yolk showed analogous changes in viscosity on cooling and provided a convenient model system for examining the effect of pH, ionic strength, and the action of trypsin. From these results it is concluded that the protein of the high-lipid low-density lipoprotein of yolk is directly involved in the gelation of the yolk. A series of eggs laid by one sterculatefed hen over 30 days showed large and possibly periodic variations in the lipid composition and gelation temperature of the yolks. These results and some data from other hens suggested that large variations in yolk properties accompany a high response to sterculate feeding.     

Enrichment of eggs in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by feeding hens with different amount of linseed oil in diet

The production of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched eggs by addition of linseed oil to the laying hens' diet has been evaluated in terms of production parameters and n-6/n-3 ratio. A total of 150 18weeks old Lohmann Brown laying hens were housed in cages and fed with basal diet and four experimental diets containing 1%, 2%, 3% or 4% of linseed oil added to the basal diet. The effect of the altered level of linseed oil on hens laying performance, fatty acid content and composition and cholesterol content in egg yolk has been evaluated during 13weeks of experiment. Egg weight, yolk fat content, yolk weight, yolk percentage and shape index were not influenced by dietary treatment. The ratio between n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in eggs decreased in first 5weeks and then remained stable until the end of the experiment for all experimental groups. Different contents of linseed oil in feed highly influenced the n-6/n-3 ratio (P<0.0001). Addition of linseed oil did not influence the cholesterol content in yolks (P=0.5200) while the only factor affecting the cholesterol content was the hens age (P<0.0001).     

Reduction of aflatoxins by Korean soybean paste and its effect on cytotoxicity and reproductive toxicity--Part 3. Inhibitory effects of Korean soybean paste (doen-jang) on aflatoxin toxicity in laying hens and aflatoxin accumulation in their eggs

This study was conducted to determine the effects of Korean soybean paste (doen-jang [dwen-jahng]) (at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 5%) on the toxicity of 500 ppb of aflatoxin in the diets of 60 laying hens (Isa Brown) divided into five groups and treated from week 15 to week 67. The aflatoxin-treated hens exhibited many deleterious effects, including reduced body weight; increased relative organ weights; decreased egg production; aflatoxin accumulation in eggs; decreased serum calcium, phosphorus, and alanino amonotransferase (ALT) levels; increased serum gammaglutamil transferase and lactic dehydrogenase levels; and, most significantly, severely altered cell foci and sinusoid dilatation in the liver, relative to control hens. The feeding of 1% soybean paste to hens reduced the adverse effects of aflatoxin on body weight, relative organ weights, egg production, and aflatoxin accumulation in eggs and improved serum calcium and ALT levels and the histopathological lesions of the liver. The feeding of 5% soybean paste to hens resulted in higher levels of the same types of improvements, especially with regard to the histopathological findings for the liver. On the basis of these results, it was suggested that a diet including 5% (and in some cases only 1%) Korean soybean paste protected laying hens and their eggs from the major deleterious effects of 500 microg of aflatoxin per kg of diet and from aflatoxin accumulation. These results indicate that dietary supplementation with Korean soybean paste reduces aflatoxin toxicity in laying hens that ultimately produce human foods such as eggs and poultry.     

Growth of Salmonella enteritidis in yolk from eggs laid by immunized hens

After hyperimmunization of laying hens with Salmonella enteritidis, antibodies can be found in egg yolks. This study was conducted to ascertain whether the growth of S. enteritidis would be suppressed in the presence of antibodies contained in egg yolk. Specifically pathogen-free (SPF)-laying hens were immunized with S. enteritidis; eggs were collected, the yolk was separated and the concentration of S. enteritidis antibodies was determined quantitatively by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the radial immunodiffusion and the bicinchoninic acid protein assay. Then, the yolk was inoculated with approximately 10, 100 or 1000 S. enteritidis cells/ml and incubated at 15, 20 and 30 degrees C for 0, 2, 6 and 24 h. The growth of organisms in each yolk was examined, and the generation times were calculated. The egg yolk from nonimmunized hens served as negative control. The highest level of antibody concentration was found in the hyperimmunized group. There was no difference in the generation times of S. enteritidis between the antibody-positive yolk and the negative yolk at the three different incubation temperatures. The results suggest that antibodies in the yolk do not influence the growth of S. enteritidis, even if the hens are highly immunized.     

Determination of Omega Fatty Acid Profiles in Egg Yolk by HILIC-LC-MS and GC-MS

The paper presents the analysis of the profile composition of fatty acids in the molecules of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, by using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The profiles of 15 phosphatidylcholine and 8 phosphatidylethanolamine species were analyzed with a newly developed hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC)–electrospray ionization (ESI)–tandem mass spectroscopy (MS/MS) method, by using a new stationary bonded phase. The application of the new method in control and experimental groups of egg yolk revealed significant differences in the composition of phospholipid species containing mainly polyunsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, using GC-MS, the profile of fatty acids in four groups with different dietary supplementation of hens was analyzed and 20 fatty acids in egg yolks were determined. Monounsaturated fatty acids were found in higher amounts than saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids in egg yolks. Oleic acid (18:1) was the major monounsaturated fatty acid in egg yolk while palmitic acid (16:0) was the major saturated fatty acid. Linoleic acid (18:2), arachidonic acid (20:4), and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) reached the highest levels among the polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Effects or protein levels and methionine supplementation of the diets of layers on egg production rate, fertility and hatchability of eggs in the tropics.

A trial was run with 540 laying hens of the White Rock x White Leghorn crosses to determine the effects of varying protein levels and the supplementation of the diets with DL -methionine on the laying performances, egg grades, their fertility and hatchability, of the birds reared in a tropical environment. The protein levels used were 14, 16 and 18%, and the levels of methionine supplemented were 0, 100 and 110% the recommended minimum requirements for layers by the NRC (1971). Hen-day production increased as the percentages of crude protein and levels of methionine supplementation increased. There were also larger percentages of large-sized eggs as the protein levels and level of methionine supplementation increased and the feed/dozen eggs improved with increases in protein levels and with increases in level of methionine supplementation. Finally, both the levels of fertility and hatchability of the eggs were increased with increases in protein and levels of methionine supplementation.     

Effects of dietary microalgae,other lipid sources,inorganic selenium and iodine on yolk n‐3 fatty acid composition,selenium content and quality of eggs in laying hens

BACKGROUND: This aim of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementing laying hen diets with different n‐3 fatty acid sources (linseed oil, fish oil and microalgae) on egg quality and fatty acid profile. The addition of inorganic selenium (Se) and iodine (I) and their effects on egg characteristics and Se concentration were also evaluated. RESULTS: A significantly lower egg weight was found in the control group and in groups fed a diet containing fish oil or a diet containing microalgae plus Se and I. Yolks from all supplemented diet groups exhibited a significant reduction in n‐6 fatty acid content compared with the control group. The docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of yolks was higher (P < 0.01) in all supplemented diet groups. Selenium supplementation increased the Se concentration (P < 0.001) in eggs. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence that an improvement in egg weight and in the DHA content of yolks can be achieved by feeding hens a microalgae‐rich diet, which avoids the unpleasant flavours associated with fish oil supplementation. Dietary inorganic Se, especially in combination with I, can enhance the concentration of Se in eggs. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Increase of nutritive value of poultry egg by of vitamin fortification of laid-hens diets

Real content of vitamins A, E, B1 and B2 in hen's eggs from different poultry farms and personal farm varies in wide range and differs from the data of national food chemical tables. Elevated nutritive value eggs with maximal vitamin content may be obtained from hens fed diets with optimal vitamin level. Such way fortified one egg contributes 30% of recommended daily intake of vitamin E, about 10% of vitamins A and B2, 3% of vitamin B1. Intensification of egg yolk pigmentation by means of carotenoids additives to hens ration leads to their 10-fold increase comparing with the data of food chemical tables. Coloured egg provides for 5-10% of carotenoids adequate daily intake.