Development of omega-3 enriched egg using fish-oil based fowl feed supplement

Abstract

Nutritional content of egg can be manipulated by altering hen feed. Developing an economical fowl feed supplement to produce omega-3 enriched egg from purified fish oil, produced using a proprietary method, leads to a value-added product. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of feeding an omega-3 enriched fowl feed supplement on the concentration and/or levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and omega-3 content in eggs obtained thereafter. Thirty BV-380 strain hens were divided into 5 groups and fed varying doses of the omega-3 supplement along with their regular feed. Eggs collected over 180 days were analyzed for EPA, DHA, and omega-3 content. Results showed that as the supplement dose increased, so did the EPA, DHA, and omega-3 concentrations in the eggs, with significant differences compared to the control group. Specifically, after 180 days, the EPA, DHA, and omega-3 content in eggs ranged from 11.4 to 28.71 mg/100 g, 116.41 to 206.62 mg/100 g, and 172.03 to 327.78 mg/100 g, respectively, depending on the supplement dose. This research demonstrates the feasibility of enhancing the nutritional value of eggs through dietary manipulation, offering a practical method for producing omega-3 enriched eggs.