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.     

Isolation and purification of egg yolk phospholipids using liquid extraction and pilot-scale supercritical fluid techniques

Egg yolk is an excellent source of phospholipids. Egg yolk powder (EYP) contains about 60% lipids, which consist of, on average, neutral lipids (65%), phospholipids (31%) and cholesterol (4%). The utilization of supercritical fluid techniques is a new way to selectively extract and fractionate non-polar and slightly polar components from foods and food products. In this study, we developed pilot-scale production methods for the isolation of high-purity egg yolk phospholipids. The method involves either liquid ethanol or supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) as isolation method and supercritical antisolvent process as precipitation method. EYP was fractionated to lipid- and protein-rich fractions using liquid ethanol or supercritical fluid as an extraction medium. In both cases, the target fraction was phospholipids dissolved in ethanol. From this solution, phospholipids were precipitated using supercritical carbon dioxide as antisolvent. Depending on the process conditions, 72–99% of the precipitate consisted of phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine, which appeared in ratios 6:1–7:1. The highest purity of phospholipids was obtained via precipitation of the isolate obtained using two-step SFE.     

Deposition of carotenoids in egg yolk by short‐term supplement of coloured carrot (Daucus carota) varieties as forage material for egg‐laying hens

BACKGROUND: Supplying egg‐laying hens with different forage materials may influence egg production and quality. The aim of this study was to examine the short‐term effects of standard feed plus 70 g day^?1 per hen of three coloured carrot varieties (orange, yellow and purple) as forage material in comparison with a standard feed control on egg production, egg yolk colour and deposition of carotenoids in the yolk. RESULTS: Carrot supplementation reduced feed intakes significantly, but not on a dry matter basis. Orange carrot treatment significantly reduced egg mass production, whereas yellow and purple carrot treatments did not differ from the control. Egg and yolk weights of all carrot‐supplemented treatments were significantly lower than those of the control, but yolk percentages were similar. Yolk redness increased significantly in the order control < yellow < orange < purple. A similar trend was seen for yolk yellowness, but yellow and orange carrots reached the same level. Yolk colour and carotenoid contents correlated positively and significantly. In particular, purple carrot treatment increased the yolk content of lutein (>1.5‐fold) and β‐carotene (>100‐fold) compared with the control. CONCLUSION: Supplementing the feed of egg‐laying hens with coloured carrots efficiently increased yolk colour parameters and carotenoid contents, which gives opportunities for improved nutritional value of eggs from forage material‐supplemented hens. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evaluation of de-lipidated egg yolk and yeast autolysate as growth supplements for lactic acid bacteria culture

Four strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were cultivated on deproteinated whey supplemented with yeast autolysate (YA) and/or de-lipidated egg yolk (DEY). Growth was compared to that recorded on the widely used MRS medium. The feasibility of the use of YA in place of yeast extract was confirmed. In the presence of YA in the medium, cell numeration gained nearly 1 log for only 0.4% DEY added in the culture medium, namely 0.1 g/L additional nitrogen, showing that DEY also supplies LAB growth in trace elements and growth factors like vitamins. If compared to the MRS medium, final cell numerations were about 1 log lower on deproteinated whey supplemented with YA and DEY, while the protein nitrogen ratio of both media was 2.7, showing the high potential of the tested supplements, and especially DEY. Subsequent works with higher and hydrolysed DEY may be therefore useful.     

On hen egg fractionation: applications of liquid chromatography to the isolation and the purification of hen egg white and egg yolk proteins

Liquid chromatography has been used as a means of egg protein analysis or as a method for the purification of egg proteins. Several Chromatographic methods, including gel permeation, ion-exchange, reversed-phase, hydrophobic interaction, and immobilized-ligand-affinity chromatography, have been carried out for the separation or the purification of egg yolk or egg white proteins. Ion-exchange chromatography appears to be the most frequently used method for protein isolation and it is the easiest to adapt to a process scale. From an analytical point of view reversed-phase chromatography is, at the moment, the recommended method for egg white analysis. Egg white has been fractionated more often by liquid chromatography than has egg yolk. Several Chromatographic methods have been developed on a laboratory scale, but the application of these techniques on an industrial scale remains limited.     

Effects of L‐carnitine supplementation to diets with different fat sources and energy levels on fatty acid composition of egg yolk of laying hens

BACKGROUND: The present study was carried out to determine the effects of feeding diets with two different levels of metabolisable energy (ME) (11.51 or 10.88 MJ ME kg^?1 diet) and three different sources of fat (palm oil, sunflower oil or fish oil) with or without supplemental L ‐carnitine (0 or 500 mg kg^?1 diet) on the fatty acid (FA) composition of egg yolk and the passage of n3 polyunsaturated FAs to egg yolk in laying hens. RESULTS: The ∑n3, particularly C22:6n‐3, FA contents of egg yolk were significantly reduced by adding of L ‐carnitine (C2) to different fat sources (P < 0.01). The ratio of n6/n3 was reduced from 53.77 to 17.72 in eggs yolks when ME was lowered in the diet with C2‐sunflower oil (SFO) whereas it was enhanced from 2.19 to 9.31 in C2‐E2 (low energy) diet with fish oil (FO) (P < 0.001). The diet with E2 or C2 containing FO resulted in a decrease of the C22:5n‐3, C22:6n‐3 and ∑n3 FA contents of egg yolk (P < 0.001). On the other hand, supplementation of C2 to diets with SFO or palm oil (PO) caused to a decrease in the C22:6n‐3 and ∑n3 FA contents of egg yolk (P < 0.01). A significant increase of the ratio of n6/n3 in egg yolk can be seen by feeding with E2 diet by adding of C2 to all fat sources like in E1 (normal energy) diet (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Dietary treatments resulted in major changes in FA composition of egg yolk. The supplemental C2 in diet decreased the C22:5n‐3, C22:6n‐3 and ∑n3FA contents in egg yolk. The use of FO in diets with E2 significantly reduced the passage rate of C22:6n‐3 FA to egg yolk. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of dietary black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L.) on performance,egg traits,egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition in laying hens

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary black cumin seed on performance, egg traits, egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition in laying hens during a 12 week period. For this purpose a total of 160 Lohmann Brown laying hens 36 weeks of age were allocated to four dietary treatments with one control group and three treatment groups. Black cumin seed (Nigella sativa L.) was used at the level of 5, 10 and 15 g kg^?1 in the diets of the first, second and third treatment groups, respectively. RESULTS: Dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight, feed intake, egg production, egg quality characteristics and blood parameters. Diets containing 10 and 15 g kg^?1 black cumin seed increased egg weight (P < 0.01), improved feed efficiency (P < 0.01) and decreased egg yolk cholesterol, saturated fatty acids (% of total fatty acid methyl esters) and the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) compared to the diet of control group. CONCLUSION: Dietary black cumin seed at the level of 10 and 15 g kg^?1 had beneficial effects on egg weight, feed efficiency, egg cholesterol content and egg yolk fatty acid composition. Therefore it can be used at the level of 10 and 15 g kg^?1 in the diets of laying hens. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of storing time and temperature on the viscosity of an egg yolk

The influence of storing time and temperature on rheological behavior of egg yolk was investigated. The eggs of two brown egg-laying breeds (Bar Plymouth Rock and Rhode Island Red) were stored for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 weeks at constant temperatures: 4 °C, 8 °C, 12 °C, and 16 °C. The apparent viscosity was measured by a rotational viscometer as a function of shear rate. It was found that yolk samples exhibited shear-thinning (pseudoplastic) behavior. The shear-thinning behavior was fitted well into Herschel–Bulkley model (with a satisfying correlation of R² > 0.95). For the selected shearing rate, viscosity was measured in relation to shearing time. The time-dependant viscosity decreased rapidly with time and, at lower share rates, reached an equilibrium state. The time-dependant viscosity was also found to decrease with storage time. The value of pH changed (increased) during storing. No clear dependence between pH value and viscosity was confirmed.     

Effects of egg yolk powder addition to the flour dough on the lipid oxidation development during frying

Effects of egg yolk powder added to the dough on the oxidation of frying oil and lipid of fried products were studied. Flour dough containing egg yolk at 0, 3.53, 6.73, and 9.66/100 g was fried in 180 °C sunflower oil for 1.5 min, and 55 fryings were performed. Lipid damage was determined by free fatty acids (FFA), conjugated dienoic acids (CDA), and polar compounds contents, and p-anisidine values (PAV). Phospholipid (PL) classes were determined by high performance liquid chromatography. PL was not detected in frying oil and fried products without egg yolk, while the first batch of fried products added with egg yolk at 3.53, 6.73, and 9.66 in 100 g of the dough contained total PL at 3.73, 7.93, and 8.98 mg/g, respectively. Contents of PL classes tended to increase in the products fried in the oil performing more fryings. As the number of fryings of oil increased, FFA, CDA, and polar compounds contents and PAV of frying oil increased. Addition of egg yolk to the dough significantly decreased CDA and polar compounds contents and PAV of frying oil, but it increased FFA values. Lipid of fried products showed the same tendency in CDA contents and PAV. The results clearly indicate that egg yolk powder improved the oxidative stability of frying oil during frying, possibly due to PL.     

Effects of dietary yeast autolysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on performance,egg traits,egg cholesterol content,egg yolk fatty acid composition and humoral immune response of laying hens

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary yeast autolysate on performance, egg traits, egg cholesterol content, egg yolk fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation of egg yolk, some blood parameters and humoral immune response of laying hens during a 16 week period. A total of 225 Hyline Brown laying hens, 22 weeks of age, were allocated equally to one control group and four treatment groups. Yeast autolysate (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, InteWall) was used at levels of 1, 2, 3 and 4 g kg^?1 in the diets of the first, second, third and fourth treatment groups respectively. RESULTS: Dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight, feed intake and egg traits. Yeast autolysate supplementation increased egg production (P < 0.001) and egg weight (P < 0.001) and improved feed efficiency (P < 0.05). Yeast autolysate at levels of 2, 3 and 4 g kg^?1 decreased egg yolk cholesterol level as mg g^?1 yolk (P < 0.01) and blood serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride (P < 0.05) and increased antibody titres to sheep red blood cells (P < 0.01). Total saturated fatty acids and the ratio of saturated/unsaturated fatty acids increased (P < 0.01) and total monounsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.001) decreased with yeast autolysate supplementation. CONCLUSION: Dietary yeast autolysate at levels of 2, 3 and 4 g kg^?1 had beneficial effects on performance, egg cholesterol content and humoral immune response. It is concluded that 2 g kg^?1 yeast autolysate will be enough to have beneficial effects in laying hens. Copyright © 2010 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     

Changes in chemical composition,physical properties and microstructure of duck egg as influenced by salting

Changes in chemical composition, physical properties and microstructure of duck egg, during salting for up to 14 days, were determined. Duck egg consisted of 10.87% shell, 54.73% egg white and 33.94% yolk. Salting resulted in an increase in weight proportion of egg white, but a decrease in yolk proportion. Moisture contents of both egg white and yolk decreased gradually with concomitant increases in salt and ash contents as the salting time increased. Protein and lipid contents increased slightly in both interior (viscous portion) and exterior (hardened portion) egg yolk with increasing salting time. Oil exudation was observed in yolk, particularly in exterior yolk. Triacylglycerols and phospholipid, found as the major lipids in egg yolk, underwent slight changes, but no differences in protein patterns of either egg white or egg yolk were observed during salting. Hardening ratio and hardness of egg yolk increased with increasing salting time. Adhesiveness and gumminess also increased, while springiness, cohesiveness and gumminess decreased slightly when the salting time increased. Scanning electron microscopic study revealed that yolk granule was polyhedral in shape and aligned closely when the salting proceeded. Protein spheres were distributed uniformly, together with oil droplets, in salted yolk, as visualised by transmission electron microscopy. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) micrographs indicated that the greater dehydration and release of lipids took place in egg yolk during salting.     

Characterisation of emulsion properties and of interface composition in O/W emulsions prepared with hen egg yolk, plasma and granules

Comprehension of hen egg yolk emulsifying properties remains incomplete because competition between its various emulsifiers (proteins and lipoproteins containing phospholipids) has not been clearly elucidated and colloidal interactions between yolk-stabilised oil droplets have not been documented. Recent studies emphasised the interest of the fractionation of yolk into plasma and granules to improve this comprehension. In the present study, we characterised, concurrently, emulsion properties (oil droplet size and stability against creaming) and interface attributes (interfacial concentrations of proteins and phospholipids, SDS-PAGE profiles of adsorbed proteins and zeta potential) in oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions prepared with yolk, plasma and granules. We observed these features at four physicochemical conditions (pH 3.0 or 7.0 and at 0.15 or 0.55 M NaCl). Emulsion properties in emulsions made with yolk or plasma varied similarly as a function of pH and NaCl concentration whereas granules emulsions exhibited distinct properties. Therefore the main contributors to yolk emulsifying properties are to be sought for among plasma constituents (proteinaceous or phospholipids). Since, in plasma emulsions, variations of emulsion stability against creaming correlated exclusively to variations of protein interfacial concentration, a driving contribution of the proteinaceous part of plasma, namely apo-LDL, was hypothesised. In the pH and ionic strength ranges studied, zeta potentials of the interfaces were low, excluding extended electrostatic repulsion between oil droplets. We deduced that steric repulsion is the main interaction opposing to droplet aggregation in food emulsions made with yolk.     

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     

Rheological properties,stability and sensory evaluation of low-cholesterol mayonnaises prepared using egg yolk granules as emulsifying agent

No important practical applications have been developed for egg yolk granules until now. However, as they have low cholesterol content and maintain good emulsifying properties, granules could be employed as a potential ingredient in the food industry. In this work, granules obtained in the laboratory by a simple procedure were used as emulsifying agent in mayonnaise preparation. The aim was to develop a low-cholesterol mayonnaise with properties similar to those of typical mayonnaise. For this purpose, three low-cholesterol formulations prepared in the laboratory were compared with a mayonnaise prepared using yolk and also with a commercial mayonnaise. The rheological characteristics of mayonnaises were evaluated, as well as their microstructure and sensorial properties. In addition, colour and particle size measurements at different times of storage were carried out to assess stability. According to results, the use of granules allows the preparation of a low-cholesterol mayonnaise which shows similar characteristics to those of a typical mayonnaise.     

Influence of rapeseed cake, linseed cake and hemp seed cake on laying performance of hens and fatty acid composition of egg yolk

In hens the effects of expeller/cakes from rapeseed, linseed, and hemp seed were investigated on feed intake, laying performance and fatty acid composition of egg yolk. A total of 216 individually caged laying hens were allocated to nine dietary treatments (5, 10, 15 % cake) and fed for six laying months. For feed intake, egg mass production and feed-to-egg mass ratio at 15 % dietary cake level a significant lower performance was shown compared with the 5 and 10 % cake level groups. Also interaction was significant for all these parameters, indicating that the cake level acted differently for the three cakes. The egg mass production was lower in the linseed cake than in the hempseed groups and the hens fed the linseed cake needed significantly more feed per kg egg mass compared with both the other cakes tested. Increasing dietary level of all oil seed cakes lowered the yolk percentage and increased the egg white percentage. Increased dietary levels of all three oil seed cakes lowered the percentages of most saturated fatty acids and also the percentages of the monounsaturated fatty acids. The linoleic acid and the linolenic acid as polyunsaturated fatty acids were heightened by increasing the cake levels from 5 to 10 and 15 % in the diet. The results allow the conclusion that compound feeds with up to 10 % of cakes does not negatively influence the laying performance of hens and provides the possibility of the enrichment of yolk fat with polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Transfer of the coccidiostats monensin and lasalocid from feed at cross-contamination levels to whole egg,egg white and egg yolk

Recent legislation has addressed the unavoidable carry-over of coccidiostats and histomonostats in feed, which may lead to the presence of residues of these compounds in eggs. In this study, laying hens received cross-contaminated feed at a ratio of 2.5%, 5% and 10% of the therapeutic dose of monensin and lasalocid for broilers. The eggs were collected during the treatment and depletion period and were analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The different egg matrices were separated and analysed during the plateau phase. High lasalocid concentrations, which exceeded the maximum residue level, and low monensin concentrations were found in whole egg. Plateau levels were reached at days 7–9 for lasalocid and at days 3–5 for monensin. For lasalocid, the highest concentrations were measured in egg yolk; residue concentrations in egg white were very low.     

Foaming,gelling and rheological properties of egg albumen as affected by the housing system and the age of laying hens

The aim of this work was to study the foaming, gelling and rheological properties of albumen as simultaneously affected by the housing system (i.e. conventional cage, organic and barn) and the age of layers (27, 30, 35, 43, 53 and 68 weeks). Significant effects of the two considered factors and of their interactions were found for almost all the studied properties. In particular, with the increasing of the hen age, a loss in albumen consistency and a weakening of the albumen gel structure were observed. As regards the housing system, differences observed, even if statistically significant, were little and unlikely to have a real effect on technological performances of the eggs when used as food ingredients. Significant correlations amongst technological properties of albumen and its pH and protein content were also found.     

Optimization of the enzymatic modification of egg yolk by phospholipase A2 to improve its functionality for mayonnaise production

Egg yolk (EY) was enzymatically modified by phospholipase A₂ to improve its functional properties for mayonnaise production. The optimum reaction conditions predicted by response surface methodology were enzyme concentration of 7432 LEU for 74 min in the presence of 11.5% (w/w) salt. The predicted values were in good agreement with the experimental values. The mayonnaise prepared with 6% (w/w) of the enzymatically modified EY (EM-EY) had no significant differences in overall acceptability or in the perceived intensities of umami, nutty flavor, sourness, oiliness, and rancid flavor as compared to the mayonnaise prepared with 8% (w/w) fresh EY. The stability of the mayonnaise prepared with 6% (w/w) EM-EY was greater than that of the mayonnaise prepared with 10% (w/w) fresh EY. Based on the results, EM-EY, when produced at optimum conditions, has great potential to replace fresh EY.     

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