Abstract
Lutein supplements are often used to pigment and enrich layer chicken eggs. This experiment was conduced to compare the bioavailability of free and esterified lutein, by depletion method. Forty chickens were randomly divided into two groups. After 2 weeks of washout period, when all birds were fed the same low lutein basal diet, the two groups were fed for another 2 weeks with diets supplemented with free lutein or esterified lutein. Two experimental diets were supplemented with the same amount of 15 mg lutein/kg. On day 0 (baseline) and days 3, 7, and 14, birds fasting morning plasma samples were collected and stored for lutein analysis by high performance liquid chromatography method (HPLC). Results showed that: 1) Plasma lutein concentration increased dramatically after feeding free or esterified lutein; 2) Plasma lutein level in birds fed the diet supplemented with free lutein significantly differed from those fed esterified lutein on day 3. 3) There were no significant differences in plasma lutein levels between free lutein and esterified lutein on days 7 and 14. In conclusion, the lutein bioavailability from free lutein or esterified lutein supplements was comparable.
Highlights
Lutein is a group of natural pigments known as xanthophyll carotenoids without vitamin A activity, and itis mainly found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and eggs (Johnson, 2004)
After feeding the diets supplemented with lutein, plasma free lutein changed remarkably in both free-lutein and esterified-lutein fed layers (Table 2); plasma lutein concentration with the free-lutein diet was 1.90±0.17 μg lutein/mL, s higher (P
An explanation for these results might be that the dietary free lutein was absorbed easier by the gut, as compared to lutein ester, which may have needed to be hydrolyzed lutein, before it was absorbed through the intestinal wall into the blood stream
Summary
Lutein is a group of natural pigments known as xanthophyll carotenoids without vitamin A activity, and itis mainly found in fruits, vegetables, grains, and eggs (Johnson, 2004). It has a yellow-orange color, and it has been used for many years in poultry diets as a mean to pigment egg yolks. This study compared the concentration of free lutein in chicken plasma after feeding free or esterified lutein by depletion method to layer hens. It may help selecting the best form of lutein to be used in the poultry industry
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