Positional analysis of egg triacylglycerols and phospholipids from hens fed diets enriched with refined seal blubber oil

The effect of feeding laying hens with refined seal blubber oil (SBO, containing 22.2% ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) on the fatty acids composition and regiospecific distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols (TAG) and phospholipids (PL) of egg produced was investigated. The hens were fed four diets containing 0 (control), 1.25, 2.5 or 5% SBO for 5 and 9 weeks. Comparison of the total fatty acids composition indicated that a 5 week feeding period was sufficient to obtain the highest amount of total polyunsaturated fatty acids in the eggs. The fatty acids composition of the egg lipids reflected the fatty acids composition of the diet. The substantial reduction in the ω6/ω3 ratio (ie 8.5 to 2.6) is of interest, and is in line with the recommendations of health authorities in several countries, where it has been suggested that the human diet should contain a ω6/ω3 ratio of 3–4. The greatest reduction of the ω6/ω3 ratio occurred for diet A (control) and diet B (1.25% SBO). Principal component analysis analysis of the fatty acids composition of egg lipid showed four clusters representing: (i) the control diet; (ii) the diet containing 1.25% SBO as well as samples obtained from feeding 2.5% SBO for 9 weeks; (iii) the diet with 5% SBO; and (iv) samples obtained from hens fed 2.5% SBO for 5 weeks. More ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 PUFA) were incorporated in phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine than in TAG. Although ω3 were predominantly linked in the position Sn‐1,3 of TAG in SBO, they were esterified in the Sn‐2 position of the TAG and PL of eggs obtained after feeding laying hens with enriched diets. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary Antioxidants and Storage Affect Chemical Characteristics of ω-3 Fatty Acid Enriched Broiler Chicken Meats

The influence of feeding full-fat flax seed with and without dietary antioxidants to 6-wk old male Hubbard chickens, on chemical characteristics of cooked white and dark meats was assessed. Level of dietary ω-3 fatty acid and dietary antioxidant significantly influenced the ω-3 PUFA compositions of meat lipids. Addition of antioxidants, especially mixed tocopherol plus canthaxanthin, to the diet significantly reduced concentrations of malonaldehyde and total volatiles in the enriched meat, particularly dark meat. Broiler meats enriched with omega-3 fatty acids could be stabilized by incorporation of natural antioxidants.     

Bovine milk fatty acid profiles produced by feeding diets containing solin,flax and canola

Fatty acid profiles with emphasis on linoleic, linolenic, oleic, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were compared in milk from dairy cows fed diets containing 3.25% supplemental fat and a control diet containing no supplemented fat. The fat was supplied by either whole ground solin, flax, or canola oilseed. Solin (linola) is a new cultivar of flax that contains 28% linoleic acid in the seed, Twelve multiparous Holstein cows were assigned to one of four dietary treatments. The experimental design was a 4 x 4 Latin square with each period consisting of 16 d for adjustment to the diet followed by a 5-d sampling period. Feed intake, milk yield, milk fat yield, and milk fat percentage were not affected by treatment. Adding solin, flax, or canola oilseed to lactation diets produced the highest proportions of linoleic (C18:2), linolenic (C18:3), and oleic (C18:1) acids, respectively, in the lipid fraction of the milk of the cows consuming these diets. The proportions of C6:0 to C16:1 were depressed in the milk fat of cows fed the oilseed diets, compared with the control diet. Increasing the lactation diet levels of C18:2, by using different oilseeds, increased CLA to 1.5% of milk fatty acids. The content of CLA in milk fatty acids, however, did not increase with the solin-supplemented diet compared with the canola-supplemented diet even though the C18:2 level was higher in the former diet.     

Effect of redfish meal enriched diets on the taste and n-3 pufa of 42-day-old broiler chickens

Broiler chickens were fed diets supplemented with redfish meal at levels of 4,8 and 12 %. A control group was fed with an all-vegetable protein diet. After 42 days the birds were slaughtered and edible tissues (white, dark and skin) were analysed for lipid content and composition. The white and dark meats were tasted organoleptically for the possible presence of ‘fishy’ off-flavours. There was no change in the content or class composition of the lipids with diet or sex of the bird, but in meats an increase in fish meal in the diet caused an increase in the level of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids present, especially 20: 5n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid, 22: 5n-3 docosapentaenoic acid and 22: 6n-3 docosahexaenoic acid at the expense of n-6 fatty acids. The enrichment was most pronounced in white meat of both male and female birds and could make a contribution of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to the human diet quantitatively similar to that of an equal portion of lean white fish. Taste panel results showed that there was no significant difference in flavour or taste among any of the samples. There was a tendency for the 12% dietary group birds to be the least preferred, but no panelist detected ‘fishy’ flavours or objected to the taste of the meat.     

Fatty acid profile and cholesterol content of egg yolk from chickens fed diets supplemented with purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of purslane on egg production, egg weight, feed efficiency, yolk fatty acid composition, and egg cholesterol content in laying hens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty 80‐week‐old layers were allocated randomly to receive diets supplemented with 0 (control), 10 g kg^?1 or 20 g kg^?1 dried purslane for 84 days. Egg weights and egg production in the groups were recorded daily, whereas feed intake was measured weekly. RESULTS: Diet supplemented with 20 g kg^?1 purslane significantly decreased body weight of the chickens compared to the control. Inclusion of purslane at the level of 10 g kg^?1 or 20 g kg^?1 into the diet significantly (P < 0.05) improved egg weight compared to the control. Chickens fed the diet including 20 g kg^?1 purslane had a significantly (P < 0.05) higher egg production and improved feed efficiency compared to the control. Cholesterol content of eggs from the hens fed 0, 10 or 20 g kg^?1 did not differ and was 10.45, 9.51 or 9.51 mg g^?1 dried egg yolk, respectively. Inclusion of purslane at the level of 20 g kg^?1 into the diet significantly (P < 0.05) increased ω‐3 fatty acids such as C18:3(ω‐3) and C22:6(ω‐3). The ratio of ω‐6 to ω‐3 also was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the eggs from chickens fed 10 g kg^?1 or 20 g kg^?1 purslane supplemented diets compared to the control. CONCLUSION: This study showed that adding dried purslane to the diet of laying hens significantly increased egg production and egg weights although there was no reduction in the egg cholesterol concentration. This study also showed that inclusion of purslane into diet enriched eggs with ω‐3 fatty acids and decreased the ratio of ω‐6/ω‐3 in the yolk. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Meat quality of Argentinean "Camperos" chicken enhanced in omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids

Five diets were assessed with the aim of increasing oleic fatty acid and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content in 'campero' poultry meat and evaluating their influence on sensory attributes. Animals from treatment 1 (T1) were confined and fed with corn/soybean diet; in T2, animals were fed with a corn/soybean mix with free access to pasture; T3 diet had high oleic sunflower seeds (HOSS) and linseeds with access to pasture; T4 diet was similar to T2 with free access to chicory instead of pasture and T5 diet was similar to T3 with free access to chicory instead of pasture. Linseeds and HOSS supplementation significantly increased the fatty acids profile, regardless of forage supply. T3 MUFA content was significantly higher than in the other treatments. Due to the high presence of omega-3 PUFA in linseeds and HOSS treatments (T3 and T5), meat omega-6/omega-3 ratio decreased from 9 to 4. The presence of off-flavours was not influenced by diets but there was an interaction between portion and storage conditions. 'Poultry meat' aroma was only influenced by the storage conditions, being slight after 4 months of freezing, while presence of off-aromas was affected by diets. We conclude that it is possible to produce 'campero' poultry meat with enhanced omega-3 and omega-9 content and a low omega-6/omega-3 ratio using diets based on linseed and HOSS, without any important change in sensory properties.     

The value of different fat supplements as sources of digestible energy for lactating dairy cows

The effects of fat supplements that differed in fatty acid composition (chain length and degree of saturation) and chemical form (free fatty acids, Ca salts of fatty acids, and triacylglyceride) on digestible energy (DE) concentration of the diet and DE intake by lactating cows were measured. Holstein cows were fed a control diet [2.9% of dry matter (DM) as long-chain fatty acids] or 1 of 3 diets with 3% added fatty acids (that mainly replaced starch). The 3 fat supplements were (1) mostly saturated (C18:0) free fatty acids (SFA), (2) Ca-salts of fatty acids (CaFA), and (3) triacylglyceride high in C16:0 fatty acids (TAG). Cows fed CaFA (22.8 kg/d) consumed less DM than cows fed the control (23.6 kg/d) and TAG (23.8 kg/d) diets but similar to cows fed SFA (23.2 kg/d). Cows fed fat produced more fat-corrected milk than cows fed the control diet (38.2 vs. 41.1 kg/d), mostly because of increased milk fat percentage. No differences in yields of milk or milk components were observed among the fat-supplemented diets. Digestibility of DM, energy, carbohydrate fractions, and protein did not differ between diets. Digestibility of long-chain fatty acids was greatest for the CaFA diet (76.3%), intermediate for the control and SFA diets (70.3%), and least for the TAG diet (63.3%). Fat-supplemented diets had more DE (2.93 Mcal/kg) than the control diet (2.83 Mcal/kg), and DE intake by cows fed supplemented diets was 1.6 Mcal/d greater than by cows fed the control, but no differences were observed among the supplements. Because the inclusion rate of supplemental fats is typically low, large differences in fatty acid digestibility may not translate into altered DE intake because of small differences in DM intake or digestibility of other nutrients.     

Functional Characteristics, Fatty Acid Composition, and Palatability of Bacon from Pigs Fed Canola

Thirty-six pigs were fed diets containing 20% intact canola (IC), 20% ground canola (GC) or 0% canola (C). Processing yields and proximate composition of bacon were not affected by diet. Bacon from pigs fed GC had less saturated fatty acids and more monounsaturated fatty acids than bacon from pigs fed the IC or C diets. Bacon from pigs fed the C diet had less polyunsaturated fatty acids than bacon from pigs fed the IC or GC diets. Palatability of bacon from C, IC or GC treatments after 0 or 4 weeks storage was not different. After 8 weeks of storage, panelists tended to prefer control bacon over bacon from pigs fed the GC diet. Bacon from pigs fed the GC diet had higher 2-thiobarbituric acid values than bacon from pigs fed the IC or C diets.     

Omega‐3 Fatty Acid Profile of Eggs from Laying Hens Fed Diets Supplemented with Chia,Fish Oil,and Flaxseed

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diets supplemented with fish oil, flaxseed, and chia seed on the omega‐3 fatty acid composition and sensory properties of hens’ eggs. No significant difference in yolk fat content was found between treatments. The fatty acid composition of egg yolk was significantly affected by the dietary treatments. Inclusion of chia at 300 g/kg into the diet produced eggs with the highest concentration of omega‐3 fatty acid. Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were only detected in eggs from laying hens fed the diet supplemented with fish oil. Diet had a significant effect on color, flavor and overall acceptability of eggs. Types and levels of omega‐3 fatty acids in feed influence the level of yolk omega‐3 fatty acids in egg yolk. Inclusion of chia into the hens’ diet significantly increased the concentration of yolk omega‐3 fatty acid without significant change in sensory properties.     

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.     

Sensory evaluation of egg products and eggs laid from hens fed diets with different fatty acid composition and supplemented with antioxidants

Is the sensory quality of eggs influenced by adding vegetable lipids, animal and vegetable sources of n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n − 3 PUFA), and/or natural antioxidants to the hens diet? To answer this question three feeding experiments were conducted adding either palm butter, grape seed oil, flax seed oil, n − 3 PUFA such as flax seed and marine algae and the natural antioxidant rosemary to the hens diet. For each experiment a standard diet was used as control. The results suggested that vegetable lipids (palm butter, grape seed, flax seed), n − 3 PUFA (flax seed and marine algae) and rosemary may be used to hens fed diet without affecting the sensory properties of eggs.The sensory quality of eggs was evaluated on hard boiled, scrambled eggs and Madeira cake.In this work, we report the first sensory characterization of eggs and products containing eggs obtained from hens diet based on grape and algae plus vitamin E and rosemary extract.     

Digestion, milk production and milk fatty acid profile of dairy cows fed flax hulls and infused with flax oil in the abomasum

Flax hull, a co-product obtained from flax processing, is a rich source of n-3 fatty acids (FA) but there is little information on digestion of flax hull based diets and nutritive value of flax hull for dairy production. Flax oil is rich in α-linolenic acid (LNA) and rumen bypass of flax oil contributes to increase n-3 FA proportions in milk. Therefore, the main objective of the experiment was to determine the effects of abomasal infusion of increasing amounts of flax oil on apparent digestibility, dry matter (DM) intake, milk production, milk composition, and milk FA profile with emphasis on the proportion of LNA when cows were supplemented or not with another source of LNA such as flax hull. Six multiparous Holstein cows averaging 650±36 kg body weight and 95±20 d in milk were assigned to a 6×6 Latin square design (21-d experimental periods) with a 2×3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments were: 1) control, neither flax hull nor flax oil (CON), 2) diet containing (DM basis) 15·9% flaxseed hull (FHU); 3) CON with abomasal infusion of 250 g/d flax oil; 4) CON with abomasal infusion of 500 g/d flax oil; 5) FHU with abomasal infusion of 250 g/d flax oil; 6) FHU with abomasal infusion of 500 g/d flax oil. Infusion of flax oil in the abomasum resulted in a more pronounce decrease in DM intake for cows fed the CON diets than for those fed the FHU diets. Abomasal infusion of flax oil had little effect on digestibility and FHU supplementation increased digestibility of DM and crude protein. Milk yield was not changed by abomasal infusion of flax oil where it was decreased with FHU supplementation. Cows fed FHU had higher proportions of 18:0, cis9-18:1, trans dienes, trans monoenes and total trans in milk fat than those fed CON. Proportion of LNA was similar in milk fat of cows infused with 250 and 500 g/d flax oil in the abomasum. Independently of the basal diet, abomasal infusion of flax oil resulted in the lowest n-6:n-3 FA ratio in milk fat, suggesting that the most important factor for modification of milk FA profile was the amount of n-3 FA bypassing the rumen and not the amount of flax hull fed to dairy cows. Moreover, these data suggest that there is no advantage to supply more than 250 g/d of flax oil in the abomasum to increase the proportion of LNA in milk fat.     

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).     

Feeding micronized and extruded flaxseed to dairy cows: effects on blood parameters and milk fatty acid composition

Four lactating Holstein cows fitted with ruminal and duodenal cannulas were used in a 4 x 4 Latin square design to determine the effects of feeding micronized and extruded flaxseed on milk composition and blood profile in late lactation. Four diets were formulated: a control (C) diet with no flaxseed, a raw flaxseed (RF) diet, a micronized flaxseed (MF) diet, and an extruded flaxseed (EF) diet. Flaxseed diets contained 12.6% flax-seed (dry matter basis). Experimental periods consisted of 21 d of diet adaptation and 7 d of data collection. Feeding flaxseed reduced milk yield and energy-corrected milk by 1.8 and 1.4 kg/d, respectively. Yields of milk protein and casein were also lower for cows fed flaxseed diets than for those fed the C diet. Milk yield (1.6 kg/d) and milk fat percentage (0.4 percentage unit) were lower for cows fed EF than those fed MF. Plasma cholesterol and nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were higher for cows fed flaxseed diets relative to those fed the C diet. Flaxseed supplementation decreased plasma concentrations of medium-chain (MCFA) and saturated (SFA) fatty acids and increased concentrations of long-chain (LCFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids. Feeding flaxseed reduced the concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), MCFA, and SFA in milk fat. Consequently, concentrations of LCFA and unsaturated fatty acids were higher for cows fed flaxseed diets than for those fed the C diet. Flaxseed supplementation increased average concentrations of C(18:3) and conjugated linoleic acid by 152 and 68%, respectively. Micronization increased C(18:3) level, and extrusion reduced concentrations of SCFA and SFA in milk. It was concluded that feeding raw or heated flaxseed to dairy cows alters blood and milk fatty acid composition. Feeding extruded flaxseed relative to raw or micronized flaxseed had negative effects on milk yield and milk composition.     

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.     

Fatty acids and sensory characteristics of Spanish dry-cured loin enriched in acid α-linolenic and α-tocopherol

The effects of using α-linolenic and α-tocopherol acid-enriched pork on the fatty acids and sensory characteristics of Spanish dry-cured loins were investigated. For the study, five batches of Spanish dry-cured loins were manufactured using pork loin enriched in polyunsaturated n − 3 fatty acids and α-tocopherol. Tissues were obtained from pigs fed on diets with the same ingredients, except for the oil source which corresponded to: [sunflower (C), linseed (L) and linseed and olive (1/1, w/w) (LO)] and two different amounts of α-tocopheryl acetate [20 (C, L and LO) or 200 (LOE and LE) mg/kg diet]. Dry-cured loins with polyunsaturated fatty acid n6/n3 ratios below 4 were obtained from linseed and linseed/olive oil-enriched batches. Dry-cured loin manufactured with pork from animals fed on diets enriched only with linseed oil presented the worst sensory characteristics and higher TBAR values than did dry-cured loins from animals fed on diets enriched with linseed and olive oil and linseed oil plus tocopheryl acetate.     

Effects of changing the essential and functional fatty acid intake of dairy calves

There is limited information on the effects and requirements of specific fatty acids for dairy calves. The starter diet based on corn and soybean meal, which is typical in the United States, is low in C_18:3, and the ratio of C_18:2 to C_18:3 is quite high relative to recommendations for human infants. Additionally, other functional fatty acids (C_20:4, C_20:5, C_22:6) elongated from C_18:2 and C_18:3 have proven benefits in monogastric species. Thus, the effect of adding Ca salts of flax oil (high in C_18:3) or fish oil (high in C_20:4, C_20:5, C_22:6) to the starter diet of calves less than 3 mo old was investigated. In trial 1, 48 Holstein bull calves [43.2 ± 1.4 kg of body weight (BW); 12/treatment] that were 2 to 3 d of age were fed 1 of 4 starter treatments containing A) no flax or fish oil (control), B) 0.125% Ca salt of flax oil, C) 0.250% Ca salt of flax oil, or D) 0.250% Ca salt of fish oil. Starters and water were fed free-choice to calves. During the first 56 d, calves were individually penned. From arrival until d 28, calves were fed a 26% crude protein, 17% fat milk replacer. From 56 to 84 d, calves were penned in groups of 6 and maintained on their same starter blended with 5% chopped grass hay. Trial 2 used 96 Holstein steer calves (66.3 ± 3.11 kg of BW; 24/treatment) that were 59 to 60 d old in a 28-d trial. These calves had been managed for their first 56 d in the same way as the calves from trial 1 before starting trial 2. Trial 2 evaluated increasing concentrations of Ca salt of flax oil within a starter blended with 5% chopped grass hay and fed with water free-choice. The 4 treatments were A) 0%, B) 0.083%, C) 0.167%, and D) 0.250% Ca salt of flax oil. In trial 1, there were no differences among calves fed the control diet and calves fed the diet supplemented with flax oil. In trial 1, average daily gain (ADG) increased linearly as flax oil increased in the starter from d 0 to 56 and from d 56 to 84, and hip width change increased linearly as flax oil increased in the starter. Serum urea nitrogen and serum glucose concentrations decreased as flax oil increased in the diet. In trial 2, ADG and feed efficiency increased linearly as flax oil increased in the starter. Serum alkaline phosphatase concentrations increased as flax oil increased in the diet. Supplementing a Ca salt of fish oil had no effect on any variables measured. Supplementing C_18:3 (linolenic acid) as a Ca salt of flax oil to the corn and soybean meal-based diet of dairy calves less than 3 mo old resulted in increased ADG and feed efficiency.     

Effect of fat and lactose supplementation on digestion in dairy cows. 2. Long-chain fatty acids

Dairy cows fitted with rumen and proximal duodenal cannulae were given diets of 60% hay, 7% soybean and rapeseed meal, and either 33% concentrate (control diet) or 33% milk (lipid-supplemented diet: "milk" diet). Amounts of total long-chain fatty acids consumed, entering the duodenum and excreted in the feces were examined. Long-chain fatty acid intake was 192 and 764 g/d with the control and milk diets, respectively. The duodenal flow of long-chain fatty acids was greater (17.3%) than the amount consumed when the control diet was fed; with the milk diet, there was a net loss (-22.2%), mainly due to a decrease in total C16 and C18 acids. The extent of C18:2 hydrogenation in the rumen was reduced by the high fat ration, but for C18:3, hydrogenation was very high and unchanged. Apparent intestinal digestibility of fatty acids was high, especially on the milk diet (86.1%), although the amount of fatty acids absorbed (60.6 g/kg dry matter intake/d) was three times greater than with the control.     

Effect of oil sources and vitamin E levels in the diet on the composition of fatty acids in rooster thigh and chest meat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of different oil sources and dietary supplementation with vitamin E on the composition of fatty acids in rooster meat. Two hundred and forty 30‐week‐old White Leghorn roosters were distributed in a completely randomized factorial arrangement of 5 × 2, using five oil sources (sunflower, soybean, canola, linseed and fish) and two levels of antioxidant (30 and 400 mg vitamin E kg^?1 of diet). The intake of fish and canola oil in the diet reduced (P < 0.05) the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the thigh meat. Amongst the unsaturated fatty acids in the thigh, the fish and canola oil reduced (P < 0.05) the level of ω6 fatty acid, with a consequent decrease in the ratio ω6:ω3. The diet with fish oil increased (P < 0.05) the content of C22:6ω3 in the thigh meat. The use of linseed oil resulted in a significant reduction of the ratio of ω6:ω3 fatty acid in the thigh. The use of soybean oil in the diet increased (P < 0.05) the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the thigh, specifically in the content of ω6. The inclusion of vitamin E increased the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the chest meat, such as C18:3ω3, C20:5ω3 and C22:6ω3. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

The effects of sources of supplemental fat on performance,egg quality,and fatty acid composition of egg yolk in laying hens

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of sources of supplemental fat on laying performance, egg quality, and fatty acid composition of egg yolk. RESULTS: Two hundreds Isa Brown layers were assigned randomly to be fed ad libitum a standard commercial layer feed (BD), basal diet plus 2% tallow (T), basal diet plus a mixture of 1% tallow and 1% flaxseed oil (MTFO), basal diet plus 2% sunflower oil (SO), or basal diet plus 2% flaxseed oil (FO), which were offered for 8 weeks. Each diet was given to five groups, each containing 10 hens. The feed efficiency and egg production were 2.78 and 53.51% for BD; 2.30 and 63.47% for T; 2.45 and 60.14% for MTFO; 2.29 and 64.30% for SO, and 2.62 and 61.18% for FO groups, respectively. Dietary fat supplementation affected the laying performance but had no significant effects on egg quality parameters. The fatty acid composition of egg yolk lipids were significantly affected by dietary fatty acid composition. The supplemental tallow increased palmitic fatty acid. The proportions of linoleic and arachidonic fatty acids in egg yolks for layers fed the SO diet were higher than in the BD group and those on diets containing other fats. Concentrations of oleic and omega‐3 fatty acids were the highest in layers fed the FO diet during the laying period. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that dietary animal and plant fats changed the fatty acid composition of egg yolk. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry