Microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum as an alternative to fish oil in enriching table eggs with n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Abstract

BACKGROUND The research deals with the addition of microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum as an alternative to fish oil in a feed‐mixture for laying‐hens and its effect on the deposition of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3‐PUFAs) [α‐linoleic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] in the lipids of egg yolks. In the study, 240 Tetra SL laying hens housed in enriched cages were used, divided into six groups, each in five repetitions. Groups E1, E3 and E5 were given 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% microalgae and groups E2, E4 and E6 were given feed mixtures with 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% fish oil. The mixtures were modified on the basis of 17% of the crude protein and 11.7 MJ ME kg‐1. RESULTS The results showed satisfactory disposal of n‐3 PUFA in egg yolks of laying‐hens fed mixtures with the addition of either fish oil or microalgae. Eggs of E1, E3 and E5 groups contained in 100 g: 321.07 mg, 361.60 mg and 399.34 mg n‐3 PUFA, respectively (P < 0.001). Eggs of E2, E4 and E6 groups contained in 100 g: 346.25 mg, 346.17 mg and 369.02 mg n‐3 PUFA, respectively (P < 0.001). By increasing the content of fish oil or microalgae in feed‐mixtures for laying hens, the ratio of n‐6/n‐3 PUFA in egg yolk lipids (P < 0.001) was decreased. CONCLUSION Our results justified the usage of the microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum in the enrichment of table eggs with n‐3 fatty acids as an alternative feed to fish oil. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Comprehensive Lipidomics Analysis Reveals the Effects of Different Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid-Rich Diets on Egg Yolk Lipids

“…Meanwhile, our study has demonstrated that Schizochytrium sp. residue, a byproduct in commercial DHA algal oil production, was an economical and promising source to enrich eggs with n-3 PUFA-lipids, especially the DHA-lipid without any compromise in their enrichment efficiencies compared to relatively expensive whole microalgae cells. , It could achieve the comparative level of total n-3 PUFA-lipid in egg yolk as dietary flaxseed, but the contents of longer-chain PUFA-lipids, which are more beneficial than ALA, were remarkably higher (79 vs 28% of the total PUFA-lipid) (Figure A). Among these n-3 PUFA-lipids, DHA-GPs have received increasing attention from nutritionists and pathologists due to their superior bioactivity and bioavailability when compared to DHA-GLs and DHA-ethyl ester. , They exhibit the dual effects of DHA and GPs and have been reported to play vital roles in brain and retina development and treatment of multiple diseases. − The n-3 PUFA-enriched eggs obtained from hens fed with the Schizochytrium sp.…”

Scientific Opinion on the update of the list of QPS‐recommended biological agents intentionally added to food or feed as notified to EFSA (2017–2019)

“…A combined effect of the probiotic Lactococcus lactis and the prebiotic A. limacinum biomass, fed to fish, induced positive effects on their growth and immunity (Sun et al, 2019). A. limacinum biomass is commercialised and was successfully used as alternative for fish oil in feeding laying hens for the enrichment of table eggs with n-3 fatty acids (Kralik et al, 2019).…”

A viewpoint on the use of microalgae as an alternative feedstuff in the context of pig and poultry feeding—a special emphasis on tropical regions

“…Studies involving the incorporation of microalgae in diets supplied to laying hens have also shown promising results, mainly in egg quality. The fatty acid profile of both yolk and egg white showed improvements without harming animals and even improving zootechnical indexes (Manor et al, 2019;Ao et al, 2015;Kralik et al, 2020;Ginzberg et al, 2000). There was a decrease in the yolk cholesterol contents (Park et al, 2015) and an intensification of its colour (Anderson et al, 1991).…”