Influence of feeding β-cyclodextrin to laying hens on the egg production and cholesterol content of egg yolk

초록

The main objective of the present study was to determine the effect of dietary beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) on egg laying performance and cholesterol content of egg yolk. Feed intake, egg production and egg weight varied slightly, but not significantly, between hens fed either a control diet or a diet containing one of an increasing series of beta-CD concentrations (2%, 4% or 6%). However, feed intake, egg production and egg weight were all lower in the hens fed on 8% beta-CD (p < 0.05). No difference in haugh unit values, egg yolk color and egg shell thickness were found between the different treatments. The cholesterol content of egg yolks (mg/g yolk) was significantly decreased by 0.71, 2.98, 4.00 and 4.24 mg in eggs from hens maintained on 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% beta-CD, respectively, (p < 0.05). These observations indicate that appropriate supplementation of diets with beta-CD can reduce the cholesterol content of eggyolks, thus raising the prospect of the production of a healthier functional food.

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