Abstract
Omega-3 (N-3) fatty acid-enriched table eggs may provide an alternative source of these proposed healthful fatty acids. The overall goal of this project was to determine the marketability of this shell egg product. The specific objectives were to identify characteristics and purchasing practices of individuals who would buy an n-3 fatty acid-enriched table egg, determine storage capacity and flavor quality of eggs from hens fed 1.5% menhaden oil (MO), and determine effects of feeding 1.5% MO on hen production parameters, serum and liver lipids, and liver morphology and histology. A survey was conducted in five major Texas cities. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square procedure. The majority of consumers surveyed considered eggs healthful, reported purchasing eggs at least twice monthly and consumed an average of three eggs per week. Sixty-five percent of consumers reported willingness to purchase n-3 fatty acid-enriched eggs and to pay an additional $.50/dozen. To determine the effects of storage on oxidative stability and flavor of enriched eggs, eggs were collected weekly (week 0, 1, 2, 3, 4) for each of 3 replicates/diet, and all weeks analyzed within 24 hours of the week 0 collection. Effect of storage on flavor of eggs (weeks 0, 2, 4) was determined using a scoring difference scale. Oxidation products were significantly (P < .05) greater in MO eggs at week 0 but did not increase during storage, and were not associated with reduced flavor scores during storage. Dietary MO fed at 1.5% did not result in detectable changes in hepatic function. There were no significant differences in production parameters, serum and liver lipids, or hen liver morphology or histology. Specifically the incidence of hepatic lipidosis between dietary treatments was similar. From these studies it was concluded that n-3 fatty acid-enriched table eggs represent a feasible means of incorporating n-3 fatty acids into the diet. The utilization of 1.5% dietary MO may result in a healthvalue-added product of considerable profitability for the poultry industry.
Marshall, Autumn Chester (1994). Marketability of omega-3 fatty acid enriched shell eggs. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1994 -THESIS -M3673.