Canthaxanthin Levels Research Articles

Could alternative pathways for carotenoid transformation affect colour production efficiency? A correlative study in wild common crossbills (Loxia curvirostra)

In many vertebrates, dietary yellow carotenoids are enzymatically transformed into 4C-ketocarotenoid pigments, leading to conspicuous red colourations. These colourations may evolve as signals of individual quality under sexual selection. To evolve as signals, they must transmit reliable information benefiting both the receiver and the signaler. Some argue that the reliability of 4C-ketocarotenoid-based colourations is ensured by the tight link between individual quality and mitochondrial metabolism, which is supposedly involved in transforming yellow carotenoids. We studied how a range of carotenoids covary in the feathers and blood plasma of a large number (n > 140) of wild male common crossbills (Loxia curvirostra). Plumage redness was mainly due to 3-hydroxy-echinenone (3HOE). Two other, less abundant, red 4C-ketocarotenoids (astaxanthin and canthaxanthin) could have contributed to feather colour as they are redder pigments. This was demonstrated for astaxanthin but not canthaxanthin, whose feather levels were clearly uncorrelated to colouration. Moreover, moulting crossbills carried more 3HOE and astaxanthin in blood than non-moulting ones, whereas canthaxanthin did not differ. Canthaxanthin and 3HOE can be formed from echinenone, a probable product of dietary β-carotene ketolation. Echinenone could thus be ketolated or hydroxylated to produce canthaxanthin or 3HOE, respectively. In moulting birds, 3HOE blood levels positively correlated to astaxanthin, its product, but negatively to canthaxanthin levels. Redder crossbills also had lower plasma canthaxanthin values. A decrease in hydroxylation relative to ketolation could explain canthaxanthin production. We hypothesize that red colouration could indicate birds' ability to avoid inefficient deviations within the complex enzymatic pathways.

The Effects of Different Doses of Canthaxanthin in the Diet of Laying Hens on Egg Quality, Physical Characteristics, Metabolic Mechanism, and Offspring Health.

Currently, there is a dearth of in-depth analysis and research on the impact of canthaxanthin on the production performance, egg quality, physical characteristics, and offspring health of laying hens. Furthermore, the metabolic mechanism of cantharidin in the body remains unclear. Therefore, to solve the above issues in detail, our study was conducted with a control group (C group), a low-dose canthaxanthin group (L group), and a high-dose canthaxanthin group (H group), each fed for a period of 40 days. Production performance was monitored during the experiment, in which L and H groups showed a significant increase in ADFI. Eggs were collected for quality analysis, revealing no significant differences in qualities except for yolk color (YC). The YC of the C group almost did not change, ranging from 6.08 to 6.20; however, the trend in YC change in other groups showed an initial intense increase, followed by a decrease, and eventually reached dynamic equilibrium. By detecting the content of canthaxanthin in the yolk, the YC change trend was found to be correlated with canthaxanthin levels in the yolk. The content of unsaturated fatty acid increased slightly in L and H groups. Following the incubation period, the physical characteristics and blood biochemical indices of chicks were evaluated. It was observed that the shank color of chicks in the L and H groups was significantly higher than that in the C group at birth. However, by the 35th day, there were no significant differences in shank color among the three groups. Further investigation into the metabolic mechanism involving canthaxanthin revealed that the substance underwent incomplete metabolism upon entering the body, resulting in its accumulation as well as metabolic by-product accumulation in the yolk. In summary, this study highlighted the importance of understanding canthaxanthin's role in production performance, egg quality, and offspring health, providing valuable insights for breeders to optimize feeding strategies.

Coproduction of Phase-Separated Carotenoids and β-Farnesene as a Yeast Biomass Valorization Strategy.

Valorization, the process whereby waste materials are converted into more valuable products, is rarely practiced in industrial fermentation. We developed a model valorization system whereby Saccharomyces cerevisiae that had previously been engineered to produce high concentrations (>100 g/L) of extracellular β-farnesene was further engineered to simultaneously produce intracellular carotenoids, both products being isoprenoids. Thus, a single fermentation generates two valuable products, namely, β-farnesene in the liquid phase and carotenoids in the solid biomass phase. Initial attempts to produce high levels of canthaxanthin (a ketocarotenoid used extensively in animal feed) in a β-farnesene production strain negatively impacted both biomass growth and β-farnesene production. A refined approach used a promoter titration strategy to reduce β-carotene production to a level that had minimal impact on growth and β-farnesene production in fed-batch fermentations and then engineered the resulting strain to produce canthaxanthin. Further optimization of canthaxanthin coproduction used a bioprospecting approach to identify ketolase enzymes that maximized conversion of β-carotene to canthaxanthin. Finally, we demonstrated that β-carotene is not present in the extracellular β-farnesene at a significant concentration and that which is present can be removed by a simple distillation, indicating that β-farnesene (the primary fermentation product) purity is unaffected by coproduction of carotenoids.

Influence of pigments on the shelf life of eggs from layers hens in the final phase of production

The objective of this work was to determine the influence of natural (marigold flower extract) and synthetic (canthaxanthin) pigments on the shelf life of eggs from light laying hens in the final stages of production. 288 birds were distributed in a completely randomized design, with eight treatments, consisted in four levels of marigold flower extract (2.1; 2.4; 2.7 and 3 ppm) and four levels of canthaxanthin (0.4 ; 0.7; 1,0 and 1.3 ppm), each treatment with six replicates of six birds/experimental unit. In the last ten days of the experimental period (75-78 weeks of age) a total of 960 eggs were collected, selected and randomly distributed, which 480 eggs were stored at ambient temperature and 480 under refrigeration. Ten different storage periods were analyzed (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 days), one egg each repetition (six eggs per treatment). Internal and external quality parameters were evaluated in the eggs. Egg yolk color was evaluated using the La Roche colorimetric fan (LCR), showing a significant interaction between canthaxanthin level and storage period. Yolk height (YH), albumen percentage (%A) and yolk percentage (%Y) showed significant interaction between marigold flower level and storage period. It is concluded that the use of natural (marigold flower) and synthetic (canthaxanthin) pigments for the shelf life of eggs from hens in the final stage of production did not influence most of the egg quality variables in the present study, however, eggs stored in a refrigerated environment had better results for egg conservation.

Xylanase Supplementation in Wheat-Based Diets of Laying Hens Affects the Egg Yolk Color, Carotenoid and Fatty Acid Profiles.

Wheat is rich in non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and their degradation in poultry diets is promoted by exogenous carbohydrases. The objective here was to evaluate the effect of adding an intrinsically thermostable xylanase on wheat-based diets for laying hens in yolk color, carotenoid and fatty acid profiles of eggs. A total of 128 laying hens were used for 12 weeks. They were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments with different levels of xylanase: T1: control (no xylanase), T2: 30,000 U/g, T3: 45,000 U/g and T4: 90,000 U/g, with 32 birds, 16 replicates per treatment (2 birds/replicate). At the end of the experimental period, egg yolk color index, redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) of egg yolks were found significantly higher in all the enzyme supplemented diet groups (T2, T3, T4) compared with the control (T1). Canthaxanthin levels were significantly higher in T3 than T1 (p < 0.05). Total n-3, n-6 and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) were significantly higher in T4 compared with the control (p < 0.01), while the reverse trend was evidenced for monounsaturated FAs. Additionally, total n-3 FAs were higher in the T2 than T1 (p < 0.005). Overall, the results showed that exogenous xylanase enzyme supplementation in wheat-based diets for laying hens contribute to maintaining egg yolk color. Overall, exogenous xylanase enzyme supplemented at all levels in wheat-based laying hens’ diets improved egg yolk color compared to the control diet. The enzyme supplemented at the higher level (90,000 U/g) improved polyunsaturated and reduced monounsaturated egg yolk fatty acid content.

Effects of dietary different canthaxanthin levels on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, biochemical and immune-physiological parameters of white shrimp (Litopenaeus Vannamei)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary canthaxanthin (CX) levels on growth performance, pigmentation, antioxidant capacity, hemolymph biochemical parameters, immune response, and resistance to hypoxia stress of white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). Juveniles (initial weight 1.15 ± 0.12 g) were fed with five iso‑nitrogenous and isolipidic diets supplemented with/without CX: 0 (control), 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg kg−1 diet. Results showed that the growth performance, survival, and feed conversion ratio improved significantly in CX supplemented treatments compared to the control. The redness of cooked shrimp tended to increase with increasing CX level; however, no significant difference was observed among the treatments that received CX of more than 100 mg kg−1. Further, the activities of digestive enzymes, total antioxidant capacity, and peroxidase increased significantly (P < 0.05), while the activities of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and malondialdehyde decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in the hepatopancreas with increasing dietary CX levels. The immune-related enzymes (alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase) and hemolymph biochemical parameters (cholesterol, high-density, and low-density lipoprotein) are significantly affected by different dietary CX levels. Total carotenoids and astaxanthin contents in shrimp muscle, shell, head, and whole-body showed an upward trend with the increment of dietary CX. After exposure to hypoxia stress, juveniles in 200 mg kg−1 supplementation treatment exhibited the highest LT50 value among all the treatments. Moreover, broken-line regression analysis indicated that a dose of 173.73 to 202.13 mg kg−1 of CX was suitable in the diet of L. vannamei as a potential carotenoid source for substituting dietary astaxanthin in the shrimp feed industry.

Productive Performance, Egg Quality, and Pigments on Sorghum-Based Feed for Japanese Quail

The study aimed to determine evaluate the use of sorghum as a substitute for maize in the laying quail diet and its effect on performance and quality of the eggs produced the best levels of lutein (Marigold flower extract) and canthaxanthin inclusion in sorghum based Japanese quail feed as well as its influence in storage time of the eggs. A total of 680 Japanese laying quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica), with 64 weeks of age was distributed in a 4 × x4 factorial + 1 control scheme, with four levels of lutein (LUT), and four levels of canthaxanthin (CTX) and control group with no addition of pigments, with five replicates and eight birds per experimental unit. The experiment was divided into three cycles of 21 days, where the performance and egg quality parameters were evaluated. To evaluate the time of deposition and permanence of the pigments in the yolk, three eggs were evaluated per treatment for 12 days at the beginning of the experiment and 12 days at the end, from the last day of consumption of rations containing pigments. For performance and egg quality, no maybe only differences (p> 0.05) were observed, except for the yolk color, with higher color scores according to the increase in lutein and canthaxanthin consumption. Whereas color parameters, it was observed that at the beginning of the period of consumption, canthaxanthin levels influenced the red color reading and lutein levels influenced the yellow color readings, while in the final period the interaction of the levels of 5.4 ppm of lutein and 1.3 ppm of canthaxanthin provided better color parameters up to 10 days after the end of consumption of rations with pigment.

Long-term diazotrophic cultivation of Trichormus sp. IMU26: evaluation of physiological changes related to elevated phycobiliprotein content

A filamentous cyanobacterium, Trichormus sp. IMU26, capable of rapid growth and high phycobiliprotein (PBP) production under N2-fixing conditions was isolated. The strain has been maintained in N-free BG-11 medium for more than 20 months upon isolation. Nitrogen supply resulted in higher soluble protein and saccharide content but a lower growth rate and PBP production in Trichormus sp. IMU26. Short-term N-P deprivation induced PBP production with no clear change in growth while growth and PBP content decreased in the longer incubation period. Induction of PBP production in N-P-deprived cells was characterized by FTIR analysis and change in carotenoid-pigment interactions. Rapid induction of zeaxanthin and β-carotene production and slight reduction of echinenone and canthaxanthin levels might be associated with increased PBP levels in short-term N-P deprivation of Trichormus sp. IMU26. Overall, long-term diazotrophic growth of N2-fixing cyanobacteria may increase the PBP yield.

Dietary canthaxanthin reduces xanthophyll uptake and red coloration in adult red-legged partridges.

Carotenoids give color to conspicuous animal signals that are often the product of sexual selection. Knowledge of the mechanisms involved in carotenoid-based signaling is critical to understanding how these traits evolve. However, these mechanisms remain only partially understood. Carotenoids are usually viewed as scarce dietary antioxidants whose allocation to ornaments may trade off against health. This trade-off would ensure its reliability as a signal of individual quality. In the case of red (keto)carotenoids, the literature suggests that some species may show constraints in their uptake. Canthaxanthin is one of the most common ketocarotenoids in red ornaments of animals. It is often commercially used as a dietary supplement to obtain redder birds (e.g. poultry). We increased the dietary canthaxanthin levels in captive red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa). This species shows red non-feathered parts mostly pigmented by another common ketocarotenoid: astaxanthin. We studied the impact on the uptake of carotenoids and vitamins and, finally, on coloration. We also tested the potential protective effect of canthaxanthin when exposing birds to a free radical generator (diquat). Canthaxanthin did not apparently protect birds from oxidative stress, but interfered with the absorption of yellow carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin). Zeaxanthin is a precursor of astaxanthin in enzymatic pathways, and their levels in tissues and eggs were lower in canthaxanthin-supplied birds. This led to lower astaxanthin levels in ornaments and paler coloration. As far as we know, this is the first report of a carotenoid supplementation decreasing animal coloration. The results have implications for understanding carotenoid-based signaling evolution, but also for improving husbandry/experimental procedures.

Effect of broiler breeders fed with corn or sorghum and canthaxanthin on lipid peroxidation, fatty acid profile of hatching eggs, and offspring performance

The aim of study was to evaluate the effect on broiler breeders fed with corn or sorghum diets and canthaxanthin on lipid peroxidation, fatty acid, and offspring's performance. A total of 440 females with similar body weight (BW) (3.77 ± 0.11 kg) and 60 roosters were placed in an open-sided house with 20 pens, randomly distributed in a factorial arrangement (2 × 2). There were 4 diets of 2 ingredients; corn (CO) or sorghum (SO) and 2 levels of canthaxanthin; 6 mg/kg (CX) and 0 mg/kg (NCX) totaling five replicate pens of 22 females and 3 males each, from 45 to 65 wk old. The BW was measured every 28 days, carotenoid concentration, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), fatty acid profile (%) in egg yolks, and the performance from two incubations and their offspring were evaluated. The study had the same statistical design as broiler breeders, making a total of 4 groups with 10 replicate pens of 8 chicks each. The BW and mortality were not affected (P > 0.05) by diets. Egg yolks coming from the CO diet had the highest (P < 0.05) lutein (3.8 vs. 0.49 mg/kg) and zeaxanthin (4.25 vs. 0.22 mg/kg) concentration compared to SO diet. The SO+CX diet had the highest CX concentration (P < 0.0001). The SO+CX diet showed the lowest TBARS (P = 0.0002) in the egg yolk compared to the CO+CX diet. Egg yolks coming from breeders fed with CO showed a higher concentration of saturated fatty acids (23.36 vs. 21.44%) and monounsaturated fatty acids (27.17 vs. 24.96%). Egg yolks arising from broiler breeders fed with SO diets showed a higher concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared (15.29 vs. 12.88%). The CX reduced the offspring CO diets mortality and improved their viability at 64 wk-old for the broiler breeders (P < 0.05). CX was well absorbed from the diet and effectively transferred to the egg yolk, thereby increasing its concentration in the yolk. This conferred resistance to oxidative stress to the yolk and also later to the developing embryo and its ultimate performance.

The effect of maternal canthaxanthin supplementation and hen age on breeder performance, early chick traits, and indices of innate immune function

Hen age and nutrition influence chick innate immunity. The immunomodulatory antioxidant carotenoid canthaxanthin is transferred from the hen diet to the egg. Antioxidants could protect the chick from bactericidal oxidative species produced by the immune system. Broiler breeder hen diets were supplemented with 0 (Control), 6 (Low), or 12 (High) mg/kg canthaxanthin. Chick early growth and ex vivo innate immunity were measured at 31 to 33 (Early), 45 to 47 (Mid), and 57 to 59 (Late) wk of hen age. Escherichia coli (E. coli) bactericidal capacity, phagocyte activation (number of phagocytes containing at least one E. coli), phagocytic capacity (number of phagocytes containing one or more E. coli), and oxidative burst at 1 and 4 d of age were determined. Egg and chick liver canthaxanthin and chick plasma total antioxidant capacity were measured. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Breeder productivity was greatest for the Low hens; diet did not affect egg yolk, albumen, or shell proportions. Egg canthaxanthin increased with maternal supplementation and plateaued after 28 days, but was not affected by hen age. Chick liver canthaxanthin increased with maternal supplementation, but decreased as hens aged. Hen diet did not affect broiler chick performance to 21 days of age. Maternal canthaxanthin at 6 mg/kg increased chick E. coli bactericidal capacity and d 1 oxidative burst; phagocytosis was unaffected. E. coli bactericidal capacity decreased as hens aged, but increased from 1 to 4 d, indicating maturation of chick innate immunity. Plasma total antioxidant capacity at d 1 increased with maternal canthaxanthin in chicks from Mid and Late hens. Canthaxanthin possesses immuno-modulatory and antioxidant properties, and hen age affected chick innate immune development. Single-comb White Leghorn hens were fed the same levels of canthaxanthin to determine the rate of incorporation into eggs. Egg canthaxanthin reached a plateau after 7 d. Canthaxanthin in the hen diet at 6 mg/kg resulted in the greatest positive effect on hen performance, with little effect on the chick.

Effects of dietary canthaxanthin on growth and body colour of blood parrot cichlid Amphilophus citrinellus × Paraneetroplus synspilus

A 6-week experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of diets containing 0, 0.004, 0.008, 0.012 and 0.016 % synthetic canthaxanthin on growth, feed utilization and skin pigmentation of parrot cichlid (Amphilophus citrinellus × Paraneetroplus synspilus). Three hundred and sixty fish with initial body weights of 18.0 ± 1.6 g were randomly stocked equally into 15 glass aquaria (each 80 × 40 × 50 cm3) to form five triplicate groups. Fish were fed one of five diets daily at 2 % of their total body weight. At the end of the experiment, all fish were harvested and weighed to calculate growth parameters. After weighing, randomly selected two fish from each aquarium were used to assess the body colour using a colorimeter. Results indicated that dietary canthaxanthin supplementation had no effect on growth, feed conversion ratio, ingestion rate and condition factor of parrot cichlid. The degree of pigmentation in skin of parrot cichlid increased significantly (P < 0.05) with increasing inclusion of canthaxanthin up to 0.012 % in the diet. Canthaxanthin inclusion over that level did not lead to increase more redness, yellowness, hue and chroma of parrot cichlid skin. Diet containing more than 0.012 % canthaxanthin even decreased redness of fish skin (16 % decreased) compared to diet containing 0.012 % canthaxanthin (18.67 ± 0.32). In the present study, observations based on the effects of various canthaxanthin levels on colour parameters suggest that the diet containing a 0.012 % canthaxanthin may be considered as the best level of canthaxanthin supplementation for best skin colouration of parrot cichlid.

Association of Serum Carotenoid Levels With Urinary Albumin Excretion in a General Japanese Population: The Yakumo Study

BackgroundAlbuminuria is a risk factor for not only nephropathy progression but also cardiovascular disease. Oxidative stress may have a role in the positive association between albuminuria and cardiovascular disease.MethodsThis cross-sectional study investigated the associations of serum levels of carotenoids, which are dietary antioxidants, with albuminuria among 501 Japanese adults (198 men, mean age ± SD: 66.4 ± 10.0 years; 303 women, mean age ± SD: 65.4 ± 9.8 years) who attended a health examination. Serum levels of carotenoids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs for albuminuria after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking habits, drinking habits, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia.ResultsPrevalence of albuminuria was 15.4% among men and 18.1% among women. Among women with albuminuria, geometric mean serum levels of canthaxanthin, lycopene, β-carotene, total carotenes, and provitamin A were significantly lower than those of normoalbuminuric women. Adjusted ORs for albuminuria among women in the highest tertiles of serum β-carotene (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20–0.98) and provitamin A (OR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.20–0.97) were significantly lower as compared with those for women in the lowest tertile. There were no associations between serum carotenoids and albuminuria in men.ConclusionsAn increased level of serum provitamin A, especially serum β-carotene, was independently associated with lower risk of albuminuria among Japanese women.

Use of response surface methodology in a fed-batch process for optimization of tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates to achieve high levels of canthaxanthin from Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1

In this work, we applied statistical experimental design to a fed-batch process for optimization of tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) intermediates in order to achieve high-level production of canthaxanthin from Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1 cultured in beet molasses. A fractional factorial design (screening test) was first conducted on five TCA cycle intermediates. Out of the five TCA cycle intermediates investigated via screening tests, alfaketoglutarate, oxaloacetate and succinate were selected based on their statistically significant (P<0.05) and positive effects on canthaxanthin production. These significant factors were optimized by means of response surface methodology (RSM) in order to achieve high-level production of canthaxanthin. The experimental results of the RSM were fitted with a second-order polynomial equation by means of a multiple regression technique to identify the relationship between canthaxanthin production and the three TCA cycle intermediates. By means of this statistical design under a fed-batch process, the optimum conditions required to achieve the highest level of canthaxanthin (13172 + or - 25 microg l(-1)) were determined as follows: alfaketoglutarate, 9.69 mM; oxaloacetate, 8.68 mM; succinate, 8.51 mM.

Given the same dietary carotenoid inclusion, Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar(L.) display higher blood levels of canthaxanthin than astaxanthin

Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, fitted with permanent dorsal aorta cannulae were fed diets containing either 0, 30, 60 mg kg−1 or combinations of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin, with the aim of comparing the uptake efficiencies to blood of the two pigments and evaluating possible interactions during absorption when formulated in the same diet. Given either astaxanthin or canthaxanthin in separate diets, at dietary levels of <30 mg kg−1, an identical linear relationship (R2 = 0.97) between dietary levels and blood concentrations was observed for both carotenoids. At dietary astaxanthin inclusions above 30 mg kg−1, blood astaxanthin concentration approached saturation at an average level of 1.2 ± 0.04 μg mL−1 (arithmetic mean ± SD), whereas blood levels of canthaxanthin continued to increase linearly throughout the inclusion range tested (0–60 mg kg−1). When both carotenoids were presented in the same diet, a reduction in the absorption efficiency of both pigments was observed (P < 0.05). This manifested itself as a lower level in blood than the level observed when each carotenoid was administered separately. The negative interaction was most prominent for astaxanthin, the maximum average blood saturation level of which fell (P < 0.05) to 0.73 ± 0.03 μg mL−1 (arithmetic mean ± SD). Our data support the conclusion that at higher dietary inclusions, canthaxanthin is more efficiently absorbed from the digestive tract into the blood of S. salar than astaxanthin.

Quality of Pigmented (Astaxanthin and Canthaxanthin) Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Fillets Stored under Vacuum Packaging during Chilled Storage

Shelf life and color stability of muscle of rainbow trout fed ketocarotenoids (astaxanthin and canthaxanthin) stored at 4 °C under vacuum-packaging conditions were studied by bacterial enumeration of mesophilic (TVC), psychrotrophic (TPC), and total coliforms (TC), TBARS (2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), color measurements (CIELCH), and carotenoid quantification by HPLC. An increase of TBARS values and microbial development was observed at 5 days when a loss in astaxanthin and canthaxanthin concentration occurred. A second decrease in canthaxanthin levels took place at 11 days when a maximun in TBARS values (5.9 ± 1.7 nmol of TMP/mg of lipid) was also observed. Decrease in carotenoid concentrations was not reflected by color parameters. Evidence indicated that astaxanthin is more stable than canthaxanthin under vacuum packaging at 4 °C. On the basis of a TVC limit of acceptability of 106 microorganisms/g, the shelf life of rainbow trout fillets, stored under vacuum packaging at 4 °C, was 5 days...

Dietary Supplementation with Xanthophyll as an Effective Way of Identifying Low-Producing Broiler Breeder Hens

The relationship between dietary levels of xanthophyll, the degree of pigmentation in the hen, and egg production rate was studied in commercial broiler breeders (Anak 2000). In the first study, the degree of shank and beak coloration, measured with a 15-grade Roche yolk color fan, was determined in broiler breeder pullets until 34 wk of age. Although overall body coloration decreased with age following initiation of egg production, the degree of shank coloration was two- to threefold higher than mat of the beak. In the second study, Roche Carophyll-red (canthaxanthin, 10%) was supplemented at levels of 0, 10, and 20 mg/kg in a corn and soybean diet containing xanthophyll, and given to hens for a period of 4 wk beginning at 55 wk of age. Increasing dietary canthaxanthin levels increased pigmentation of beak and egg yolk in a quadratic manner, whereas pigmentation increased linearly in the shank. The production rate was inversely related to the degree of shank and beak pigmentation. In a third study, the relationship between hen pigmentation (using Carophyll-red, 30 mg/kg of diet) and production rate was examined in a commercial flock of broiler breeder hens. Hens were sampled according to shank coloration (Grades 1 to 3) and egg production was monitored. The production rate of hens with high coloration was significantly lower (by approximately 33%) than the flock average. At peak production, shank pigmentation was too low to differentiate visually between degrees of coloration. Dietary supplementation of 5% corn gluten meal increased shank pigmentation and enabled efficient identification of the nonlaying hens.

Measurement of Malabsorption of Carotenoids in Chickens with Pale-Bird Syndrome

Because pale-bird syndrome (PBS), defined as the failure of birds to realize the color potential of their diet, has been demonstrated to be caused by malabsorption or by hyperexcretion of carotenoids, a method for measuring malabsorption of carotenoids would be useful. The absorption of dietary canthaxanthin, a red diketocarotenoid, into serum during aflatoxicosis was measured in an experiment with a 2 × 9 factorial arrangement of treatments (0 and 5 μg of aflatoxin/g of diet; serum collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 24 h after a standard meal fed to four groups of 10 3-wk-old birds). Serum canthaxanthin levels determined by HPLC attained plateau values between 8 and 14 h after the meal. The absorption of canthaxanthin was depressed significantly (P<.05) in birds with aflatoxicosis from 4 to 24 h after feeding the standard meal.Four field flocks diagnosed as having PBS were tested for malabsorption by intubating 10 birds with a standard amount of canthaxanthin and measuring serum canthaxanthin 12 h later. One flock had about 85% normally pigmented birds and 15% extremely pale birds, the second flock had a coccidiosis history, the third had a Newcastle disease history, and the fourth had a history of both coccidiosis and Newcastle disease. The flocks were 5- to 6-wk-old, received feed of the same manufacture, and their disease outbreaks had occurred 2 wk earlier. The serum levels of canthaxanthin in the extremely pale birds of the first flock were significantly (P<.05) lower than in the normally pigmented birds, but significantly (P<.05) higher than the levels in the other flocks. A similar pattern occurred with serum lutein and zeaxanthin, which were normal dietary carotenoids. These observations imply that a standard meal or oral dose of canthaxanthin can be used to measure malabsorption in chickens and that maldeposition of absorbed carotenoids might be a new mechanism of action in PBS.

Effect of Canthaxanthin on Chemically Induced Mammary Carcinogenesis

Canthaxanthin, a carotenoid with no vitamin A activity, was evaluated for its efficacy in the prevention of chemically induced mammary cancers. Canthaxanthin was administered in the diet at two dose levels (3,390 or 1,130 mg/kg diet). In the dimethylbenzanthracene-induced mammary cancer model, diet supplementation with canthaxanthin for 3 weeks prior to the carcinogen resulted in a 65% reduction in the number of mammary cancers. The feeding of canthaxanthin after the administration of methylnitrosourea had no significant effect on mammary carcinogenesis. These data demonstrate that canthaxanthin, at least in these models of mammary cancer, is active in preventing cancer initiation and not promotion. Analysis of tissues by high-pressure liquid chromatography revealed that canthaxanthin levels in the liver are very high when compared to those in the mammary gland. The observation that canthaxanthin is highly effective in preventing cancer initiation without toxicity suggests that carotenoids not possessing vitamin A activity should be further evaluated as chemopreventive agents.

Research Note: A Thirteen-Day Assay for Use in Pigmentation Evaluation of Egg Yolks

An experiment was conducted to compare 13-day and 42-day assays for egg yolk pigmentation in the laying hen. Birds previously fed a commercial-type diet were fed experimental diets with white corn meal (replacing yellow corn) and varying levels of canthaxanthin. Egg yolks were evaluated for dominant wavelength (DWL) and excitation purity (EP) at various intervals for 21 days using a MC-1010® Reflectance Colorimeter. These data were then compared with similar data obtained from eggs from hens that were fed the same experimental diets but that were allowed to deplete the eggs of pigment on a xanthophyll-free diet for 21 days and then replete the eggs with pigment on the experimental diets for 21 days.The data indicated that it was possible to obtain accurate and consistent pigmentation values for DWL and EP in 13 days by allowing hens to deplete and replete xanthophyll stores simultaneously. This results in savings in both time and expense in collecting egg yolk pigmentation data.