Impact of feed supplementation with different omega-3 rich microalgae species on enrichment of eggs of laying hens

Four different omega-3 rich autotrophic microalgae, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, Nannochloropsis oculata, Isochrysis galbana and Chlorella fusca, were supplemented to the diet of laying hens in order to increase the level of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFA) in egg yolk. The microalgae were supplemented in two doses: 125 mg and 250 mg extra n-3 PUFA per 100 g feed. Supplementing these microalgae resulted in increased but different n-3 LC-PUFA levels in egg yolk, mainly docosahexaenoic acid enrichment. Only supplementation of Chlorella gave rise to mainly α-linolenic acid enrichment. The highest efficiency of n-3 LC-PUFA enrichment was obtained by supplementation of Phaeodactylum and Isochrysis. Furthermore, yolk colour shifted from yellow to a more intense red colour with supplementation of Phaeodactylum, Nannochloropsis and Isochrysis, due to transfer of carotenoids from microalgae to eggs.     

Meat quality,proximate composition and muscle fatty acid profile of young llamas (Lama glama) supplemented with hay or concentrate during the dry season

Thirty llamas were used to study the effect of a 90 day feed supplementation on meat quality, chemical composition and muscle fatty acid profile. Treatments were: GR = llama on native pasture until slaughter; GR + SH = like GR, but with overnight free access to barley/alfalfa hay; and GR + SC = like GR, but with overnight free access to a wheat bran/sorghum grain concentrate. The supplementation had no effect on postmortem pH and temperature decline in the Longissimus lumborum muscle (LLM), cooking losses nor Warner–Bratzler shear force values (P > 0.05). Meat from GR + SC llama had higher fat content in LLM (P < 0.05) compared to GR and GR + SH llama. Intramuscular fat from GR + SH llama showed higher (P < 0.01) proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids, higher (P < 0.05) polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids and desirable fatty acids ratio, lower (P < 0.05) omega-6/omega-3 (n − 6/n − 3) ratio, and higher (P < 0.01) conjugated linoleic acid.     

The effect of palm oil or canola oil on feedlot performance,plasma and tissue fatty acid profile and meat quality in goats

Twenty-four entire male Kacang kid goats were fed diets containing 3% canola (n = 12) or palm oil (n = 12) supplements for 16 weeks. The goats had an initial live weight of 14.2 ± 1.46 kg and were fed a mixed ration ad libitum (10.4 MJ/ME and 14% crude protein). There was no difference in feedlot performance due to diet. Inclusion of canola oil reduced (P < 0.05) kidney fat weight and increased (P < 0.05) linolenic acid (18:3n − 3) concentration in the blood plasma, m. longissimus lumborum (LL), liver, and kidney. The palm oil diet increased (P < 0.05) myristic (14:0) and palmitic (16:0) acid content in the blood, but this did not alter these fatty acids in the LL muscle. Lipid oxidative substances in the liver and LL from palm oil fed kids were higher (P < 0.05) than those from canola supplemented kids. The incorporation of canola oil into the goats' diet increased muscle omega-3 fatty acid content, but lipid oxidation was lowered in the blood and muscle LL.     

Fatty acid composition of egg yolk phospholipid fractions following feed supplementation of Lohmann Brown hens with humic-fat preparations

The effect of feed supplementation with humic-fat preparations on the fatty acid composition of egg yolk phospholipid fractions was studied. The Lohmann Brown was the experimental hen strain and two feeding mixtures were applied – the standard feed and the mixture supplemented with humic-fat preparations. The fatty acid profile of yolk lipids was significantly affected (P = .05) by the supplementation of feed and total increase of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was established. A different distribution of n-3 PUFA in egg yolk lipid fractions was observed: α-linolenic acid (18:3) was found in the triacylglycerol fraction, whereas docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) was detected in the phospholipid fractions. Supplementation of the hen’s diet with humic-fat preparations resulted in the production of n-3 enriched eggs with decreased n-6/n-3 ratio in all phospholipid fractions in comparison to the eggs from the control group.     

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.     

Chemical composition of a soybean cultivar lacking lipoxygenases (LOX2 and LOX3)

The nutrient, phytic acid, oxalate, trypsin inhibitors and isoflavones composition of a whole soy flour produced from a new cultivar (UFV-116), lacking lipoxygenases 2 and 3, compared to a conventional cultivar (OCEPAR-19) were determined. Protein and dietary fibres (total, soluble and insoluble) were similar for both cultivars. OCEPAR-19 was higher in lipids and UFV-116 in ash content (p < 0.05). Indispensable, dispensable and total aminoacid as well as Ca, K and Mg were higher for UFV-116. This cultivar also showed higher levels of phytic acid, oxalate and trypsin inhibitors (p < 0.05). Total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were similar between them. However, palmitic and linoleic acids were higher for UFV-116 and stearic, α-linolenic and oleic acids for OCEPAR-19 (p < 0.05). The higher concentration of isoflavones in UFV-116 (p < 0.05) could provide better benefit for human health. Experimental studies are necessary to evaluate health effects of this new soybean cultivar.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of gallic acid and linoleic acid mixture or their synthetic salt on egg quality

The effect of a dietary supplementation of gallic acid and linoleic acid mixture (MGL) and their synthetic salt, sodium 2,3-dihydroxy-5-(((9E,12E)-octadeca-9,12-dienyloxy)carbonyl)phenolate (NGL), on egg quality was investigated. A total of 120 laying hens were allotted into five groups over 4 weeks of the experimental period. Birds were fed the following diets: (1) control [commercial diet (CD)], (2) 0.05% MGL (w/w, GA:LA = 1:1, equal molar ratio), (3) 0.1% MGL, (4) 0.05% NGL, (5) 0.1% NGL. The performance of the hen, the anti-oxidative potential of egg albumen and yolk, and the fatty acid composition and cholesterol content of egg yolk were measured. The TBARS value of egg yolk from hens fed 0.1% MGL and 0.05% NGL was lower than that fed control diet after storage for 14 days. The ABTS⁺ reducing activity of egg albumen was significantly improved by MGL and NGL, but only NGL had an effect on yolk (p < 0.05). The dietary supplementation of 0.05% or 0.1% MGL, and 0.05% NGL raised the PUFAs composition in egg yolk. The cholesterol content of egg yolk from hens fed control diet was higher than those fed 0.1% MGL, 0.05% or 0.1% NGL (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a diet consisting of MGL and NGL can improve the antioxidative potential of egg and the fatty acid quality of egg yolk while lowering the cholesterol level.     

Functional and biological activities of casein glycomacropeptide as influenced by lipophilization with medium and long chain fatty acid

This study determined the functional and different biological activities of casein glycomacropeptide (GMP) after conjugation with fatty acids. Medium (i.e. caproic, lauric and myristic acid) and long (i.e palmitic and stearic acid) fatty acids were conjugated to GMP at the available amino group. Functionalities of lipophilized GMP conjugates included foaming and emulsifying activities, and biological activities for bacterial growth inhibition, cell damage and anti-invasion. Greater lipophilization of GMP was achieved with medium chain fatty acids (p < 0.05), which resulted in reduced GMP solubility regardless of fatty acid conjugate. Foaming activity of GMP was lost after lipophilization, but emulsification activity of GMP was enhanced (p < 0.05). A parallel increase in growth inhibition of Salmonella spp. coupled with anti-invasion of Salmonella enteritidis (Inv A) into mammalian cells was induced by lipophilization of GMP with long chain fatty acid. Our results show that GMP modified by lipophilization with specific fatty acids provides improved functionality as a surfactant with enhanced antibacterial activity towards gram negative bacteria.     

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     

Impact of season on the fatty acid profiles of male and female blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) muscles

This study quantified the impact of season on fatty acid profiles of male and female blesbok muscles (longissimus thoracis et lumborum, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, infraspinatus, and supraspinatus). Eight mature blesbok were harvested per season (winter and spring). Gender and muscle type influenced (p < 0.05) the fatty acid profiles of blesbok muscles, while season only influenced the C18:3ω3 (α-linolenic acid, ALA) percentages and therefore the total omega-3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (total ω3 PUFA). Female muscles had higher C16:0 (palmitic acid) (21.01% ± 0.256 vs. 19.05% ± 0.296) and total MUFA percentages, while male muscles had higher (p < 0.05) C18:2ω6c, C20:5ω3, total ω3 PUFA (11.08% ± 0.382 vs. 8.50% ± 0.367), and total PUFA (43.03% ± 0.904 vs. 29.59% ± 1.164) percentages, contributing to higher poly-unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratios (PUFA:SFA ratios). Differences in fatty acid profiles were attributed more to gender and anatomical location of muscles, than seasonal differences in diets.     

The effect of replacing dietary fish oil with canola oil on fatty acid composition and expression of desaturase and elongase genes in Jade Tiger hybrid abalone

This study investigates the effect of graded substitution of dietary fish oil (FO) with canola oil (CO) on fatty acid composition and expression of Δ-6 desaturase and elongase 2 genes in the muscle of Jade Tiger hybrid abalone. The control diet contained 1.5% FO supplement (0% CO). Four other diets contained FO/CO in ratios of 3:1 (CO 25%), 1:1 (CO 50%), 1:3 (CO 75%) and 100% CO. The result demonstrated that abalone fed the diets supplemented with 25% and 50% CO showed similarly high levels of total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) (P < 0.05) as the 0% CO group. The highest levels of total PUFA and total monounsaturated fatty acids were found in the 100% CO group (P < 0.05). The results also showed that Δ-6 desaturase and elongase 2 gene expression was increased in a graded manner by increasing dietary CO (P < 0.05). It was concluded that replacement of FO by CO at the levels of 25-50% can improve the contents of health-benefiting EPA and DHA in abalone.     

蛋黄甘油三酸酯的脂肪酸组成分析

采用毛细管气相色谱法分析酶法制备的蛋黄甘油三酸酯的脂肪改组成及相对含量，结果表明：其主要合有棕榈酸、油酸、硬脂酸、亚油酸、棕榈油酸，此外还含有微量的亚麻酸、花生四烯酸和二十二碳六烯酸。不饱和脂肪酸超过60％，是一种极具开发价值的营养保健油脂。     

Fatty acid and carotenoid composition of egg yolk as an effect of microalgae addition to feed formula for laying hens

Hens were fed five diets based on rapeseed/corn oils with or without addition of the marine microalgae, Nannochloropsis oculata. Colours of egg yolk, fatty acid profiles in phospholipid (PL) and triacylglycerol (TAG) fractions and carotenoid contents were analysed. The major effects on yolk fatty acid composition were observed in the PL fraction with changes in 18:2n − 6, 18:3n − 3, 20:4n − 6, 20:5n − 3 and 22:6n − 3. The highest amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were obtained from the diet containing 20% N. oculata, whereas the highest arachidonic acid content in yolk was from the corn oil diet. In addition, colour (a* value) and carotenoid content increased when N. oculata was included in the diet. Long chained fatty acids were almost exclusively present in the PL fraction of yolk. This study shows that fatty acid composition and carotenoid content of egg yolk are improved by addition of N. oculata in laying hen diet.     

Enriching the egg yolk in n − 3 fatty acids by feeding hens with diets containing horse fat produced in Uruguay

The present study was conducted to evaluate the ability of horse fat produced in Uruguay, compared with other lipid sources supplemented in the diet of laying hens, to modify the lipid composition and the n − 6/n − 3 fatty acid ratio of the produced eggs. For this purpose, 60 laying hens (Gallus domesticus) were fed for 30 days with five experimental diets (12 hens/diet) containing 3% sunflower oil (SO), rice oil (RO), beef tallow (BT), pressed-fat (PF), obtained by pressing fat from bovine viscera, and horse fat (HF) obtained from horse bone medulla. Throughout the trial, feeding rate, shell index, weight and total lipid contents of eggs, were not affected by the different diets. Feeding on the SO and RO diets significantly increased the amount of linoleic acid of the egg, although it was lower in the RO than in the SO eggs. Diet BT did not affect the saturated fatty acid content of the yolks. The diets with animal fats containing 18:3n − 3 (diets PF and HF), resulted in a significant increase in the n − 3 fatty acid contents of the eggs, through an increase of linolenic (18:3n − 3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n − 3) contents. Eggs from hens fed the HF diet showed increased linolenic acid (46 mg/yolk) and DHA (71 mg/yolk, 1.7% of total fatty acids) contents. These levels were obtained after two weeks of feeding. Moreover, the fatty acid profiles of eggs from treatment HF were not significantly affected by thermal treatment of the yolks. In conclusion, the fat from horse bone medulla, as produced in Uruguay, can be considered as a suitable lipid source for diets of laying hens, to modify the nutritional composition of the eggs in n − 3 PUFA content, especially DHA, and consequently, the n − 6/n − 3 fatty acid ratio.     

Chemometric approach to fatty acid profiles in Runner-type peanut cultivars by principal component analysis (PCA)

The fatty acid profiles of commercially-grown Runner-type peanut cultivars (i.e., 10 cultivars, n = 151) collected over two production years (2005 and 2006) were determined by gas–liquid chromatography. Eight major fatty acids were identified in the sample set including palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0), oleic (C18:1, ω9), linoleic (C18:2, ω6), arachidic (C20:0), gondoic (C20:1, ω9), behenic (C22:0), and lignoceric (C24:0) acids. Based on the oleic to linoleic acid (O/L) ratio, these cultivars were denoted as normal, mid-, and high-oleic peanut types. Correlation coefficients (r) between the eight major fatty acids identified were generated and revealed an inverse association between oleic and linoleic acids (r = –0.997, P < 0.001), while oleic acid and linoleic acid were positively correlated to gondoic acid (r = 0.818, P < 0.001) and palmitic acid (r = 0.967, P < 0.001), respectively. Principal component analysis (PCA) of the fatty acid data yielded three significant PCs (i.e., eigenvalues ? 1), which together account for 87.18% of the total variance in the data set; with PC1 contributing 60.45% of the total. Eigen analysis of the correlation matrix loadings of the three significant PCs revealed that PC1 was mainly contributed to by palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and gondoic acids; PC2, by behenic acid; and PC3, by lignoceric acid. The score plot generated between PC1 and PC2 successfully segregated normal, mid- and high-oleic peanut cultivars, while the PC1–PC3 plot segregated normal and the combination of mid- and high-oleic acid cultivars.     

Fatty acid composition of eggs produced by the Slovenian autochthonous Styrian hen

The fatty acid composition of eggs produced by the autochthonous Styrian hen reared in two rearing systems was determined. Eggs were collected four times during the year. The fatty acid composition was determined by the in situ transesterification method and gas chromatography–flame ionisation detection (GC–FID). Eggs of the Styrian hen from free range contained significantly more α-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic (EPA), docosapentaenoic (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), as well as more total n−3 fatty acids. On the other hand, eggs from caged hens contained significantly more linoleic, arachidonic, as well as total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and n−6 PUFA. The n−6/n−3 ratio was better from the nutritional point of view in eggs from free range. The fatty acid content is expressed in wt.%, as well as mg/100 g of yolk and mg/100 g of fresh egg, to better understand how much each of fatty acid is consumed with an edible portion.     

Evaluating nutritional quality of pacific fish species from fatty acid signatures

Eight fish species common to the Pacific Northwest coastal waters were categorised according to total lipids in a ranking from lean fish (e.g. walleye pollock) to oily fish (e.g. herring) species. Comprehensive fatty acid signatures were compared on both the relative proportion of total fatty acids and the proportion of total carcass lipid content. Generally, fish species from the Pacific coast had a relatively high proportion of n-3 highly polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 HUFAs), of which more than 80% was accounted for by C20:5n-3 (EPA) and C22:6n-3 (DHA), with species-specific and lower proportions of oleic acid (C18:1n-9) and palmitic acid (C16:0) also dominating. The MUFA contents of fish were lower (P < 0.05) in the lipids of lean and low-fat fish compared to those of fattier species. In contrast, higher (P < 0.05) proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) existed in the low-fat species with DHA contents ranging from 18% to 29% in the low-fat fish and from 8% to 10% in the fattier fish, such as herring and capelin. Expressing the same fatty acid content data in terms of absolute amount of fatty acids (e.g. gFA/100 g wet tissue) showed that both EPA and DHA contents in the flesh of pollock and hake were indeed many fold lower than those found in fatty fish, such as herring. The findings confirm that it is important that both the total lipid content and the fatty acid composition of these Pacific fish food sources be considered when making evaluations on the nutritional quality.     

Complex formation, thermal properties, and in-vitro digestibility of gelatinized potato starch-fatty acid mixtures

Effects of the type and amount of fatty acid (0-2.0 mmol/g-starch of lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids) on the complex formation, thermal properties, and in-vitro digestibility of gelatinized potato starch-fatty acid mixtures were investigated. Complex index (CI) evaluated by the reduction in the iodine binding capacity of starch increased with an increase in the amount of fatty acids, and reached a plateau depending on the type of fatty acid. The maximum CI value was higher in the order of lauric (49.9%), linoleic (47.6%), myristic (42.4%), oleic (36.7%), stearic (35.3%), and palmitic acid (30.9%). From the calorimetric study, it was demonstrated that melting temperature of the complexes was higher in the order of stearic (96.7 °C) > lauric, myristic, palmitic, and oleic (89.6-92.1 °C) > linoleic acid (78.3 °C). Melting enthalpy for complexes was roughly related to the CI value (R² = 0.667). From the in-vitro digestibility measurement, it was found that a certain amount of fatty acid reduced the starch content hydrolyzed at a given condition. Among them, 0.50 mmol/g-starch lauric and oleic acid samples showed the largest reduction in the hydrolyzed starch content. This result was related to the extent of complex formation characterized by CI value and its helical order characterized by melting temperature. In addition, there was a possibility of the complex formation between amylose and unsaturated fatty acid during the hydrolysis of gelatinized starch.     

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.