Tomato powder in laying hen diets: effects on concentrations of yolk carotenoids and lipid peroxidation

Br Poult Sci. 2012;53(5):675-80. doi: 10.1080/00071668.2012.729142.

Abstract

1. The effects of tomato powder supplementation on performance, egg quality, serum and egg yolk carotenoids, vitamins and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in were investigated in laying hens in mid-lay. 2. A total of 90 laying hens, 49 weeks old, were divided into 3 groups consisting of 6 replicate cages, 5 birds per cage. Birds were randomly fed on one of three diets: basal diet and basal diet added with 5 or 10 g tomato powder per kg diet. 3. As tomato powder concentration increased, there were linear increases in feed intake, egg production, egg weight and yolk colour and a linear decrease in feed conversion. Shell weight, shell thickness and Haugh unit remained unchanged in response to dietary treatments. 4. Concentrations of serum and egg yolk lycopene, β-carotene, lutein and vitamin A increased for both diets including tomato powder, whereas MDA decreased linearly with increasing supplemental tomato powder concentration. 5. Tomato powder supplementation increased egg production persistency and increased carotenoids and vitamin A contents in egg yolk, accompanied by reduced yolk lipid peroxidation.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis
  • Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
  • Animals
  • Carotenoids / metabolism
  • Chickens / physiology*
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Dietary Supplements / analysis*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Egg Yolk / chemistry
  • Eggs / standards*
  • Female
  • Lipid Peroxidation*
  • Oviparity
  • Ovum / physiology
  • Plant Preparations / administration & dosage*
  • Random Allocation
  • Solanum lycopersicum / chemistry*

Substances

  • Plant Preparations
  • Carotenoids