Plant Carotenoids as Pigment Sources in Laying Hen Diets: Effect on Yolk Color, Carotenoid Content, Oxidative Stability and Sensory Properties of Eggs

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a supplementation diet for hens consisting of dried basil herb and flowers of calendula and dandelion for color, carotenoid content, iron-induced oxidative stability, and sensory properties of egg yolk compared with commercial pigment (control) and marigold flower. The plant parts were supplemented in diets at two levels: 1% and 3%. In response to dietary content, yolks from all diets differed in carotenoid profile (p < 0.001). The 3% supplementation level resulted in a similar total carotenoid content as the control (21.25 vs. 21.79 μg/g), but by 3-fold lower compared to the 3% marigold (66.95 μg/g). The tested plants did not achieve yolk color fan values as the control (13.47) or 3% marigold (11.47), and among them, calendula had the highest values (9.73). Despite the low carotenoid content in diets supplemented with basil herb, iron-induced malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was low as for marigold (on average 106.83 vs. 92.68 ng/g after 250 min). The treatments differed in sensory color scores for fresh and hard-boiled yolks and flavor while other sensory properties were similar. In conclusion, the supplementation of plants in a hen diet may result in yolks containing carotenoids and other compounds showing a high antioxidant effect.

Keywords: TETRA-SL hens; basil; calendula; dandelion; marigold.

Figure 1

Iron-induced MDA concentration in egg yolks from hens fed diets differentiated in pigment supplementation (B1 and B3—1% and 3% basil herb; C1 and C3—1% and 3% calendula flower; D1 and D3—1% and 3% dandelion flower; and M1 and M3—1% and 3% marigold flower) during incubation from 0 to 250 min ((a)—0 min, (b)—50 min, (c)—100 min, (d)—150 min, (e)—200 min, (f)—250 min). The error bars show the standard deviations for each treatment, and values at each incubation time with different letters differ significantly (p < 0.05).