The Effects of Some Natural and Synthetic Pigment Materials on Egg Yolk Pigmentation and Production in White Corn and Wheat Based Diets

Authors: Figen KIRKPINAR, Ramazan ERKEK

Abstract: The study was carried out to investigate the effect of adding lutein, alfalfa meal, marigold meal, paprika meal, ?-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester, canthaxanthin and ?-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester+canthaxanthin (3:1) on egg yolk pigmentation and production in white corn and wheat diets. The maximum Roche color fan (RCF) value was found in canthaxanthin and the mixture of ?-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester and canthaxantin. The maximum ?-carotene equivalent (BCE) value was found in ?-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester. The maximum Hunter L value was found in the control and lutein. The maximum Hunter a value was found in paprika meal. The maximum Hunter b value was found in ?-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethly ester and alfalfa meal (P<0.01). There were no significant differences among the groups for egg production, egg weight and weight gain (P>0.01).

Keywords: Pigmentation, pigment sources.

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