Increase in lutein and zeaxanthin content in the eggs of hens fed marigold flower extract

Abstract

Marigold flower extract (MFE), a natural source of xanthophylls, was added to the diets of hens at different concentrations (0, 150, 250, and 350 mg/kg of diet) to determine the effects of MFE on hen per - formance, physical characteristics of egg quality, and carotenoid content of the egg yolk of hens housed in enriched cages. Additionally, the highest dose of MFE (350 mg/kg) was tested under commercial poultry condi - tions and compared with a feed mixture with added synthetic carotenoids and a control diet without synthetic carotenoids. The highest hen-day egg production ( P = 0.005) and egg mass production ( P = 0.010) was found in hens fed a diet supplemented with MFE at 150 mg/kg. The performance characteristics, however, were not influenced by MFE under commercial conditions. When the dose of MFE was increased, increased values were observed for DSM Yolk Colour Fan ( P < 0.001), redness ( < 0.001), yellowness ( P < 0.001), ratio of redness and yellowness ( P < 0.001), and decreased for lightness ( P = 0.036). In the commercial study, the synthetic carotenoids decreased the value of yellowness ( P < 0.001) compared with the control group. The lutein and zeaxanthin content in yolk increased by approximately 11.5 and 5.9 mg/kg dry matter, respectively, after the MFE addition of 350 mg/kg. Supplementation with synthetic carotenoids significantly ( P < 0.001) decreased the α-tocopherol content in egg yolk. In conclusion, MFE is a suitable natural alternative for increasing the xanthophyll contents in eggs compared with the commercially used synthetic carotenoids.