NATURAL ADDITIVES IN FUNCTIONAL EGG PRODUCTION

Abstract

0.05) in the egg quality characteristics were observed for E1 and E2 eggs. Desirable egg yolk colour of 12.78 RYCF (Roche Yolk Colour Fan scale) was achieved in the treatments E1 and E2. Eggs from hens fed FCM had significantly higher level (p<0.001) of α-linolenic (6.46% for E1 and 8.87% for E2), docosahexaenoic (2.01% for E1 and 2.08% for E2) and eicosapentaenoic (0.17% for E1 and 0.21% for E2) acids in comparison to eggs originated from hens fed control diets. The ω-6/ω-3 ratios of 1.43 and 1.01 in the treatments E1 and E2, respectively, were significantly lower (p<0.001) than ω-6/ω-3 ratios in the control treatments C1 and C2 (9.40 and 8.88, respectively). The content of tocopherol in eggs from the experimental treatments E1 and E2 were 6 and 8 times higher than in eggs from the control treatment C1 as well as 1.8 and 2.3 times higher than in eggs from the control treatment C2, respectively. By the addition of FCM and natural pigments in hens’ diet, it is possible to produce functional egg with desirable colour and fatty acid composition.