Proximate Composition And Quality Characteristics Of Duck Eggs As Influenced By Haemoglobin Type

Proximate, mineral composition and egg quality traits of 3 haemoglobin (Hb) types of Muscovy ducks were studied. Sixty eggs (20 per Hb type) from Hb (AA, AB and BB) of ducks were used. External egg qualities measured were: egg weight, egg length, egg width, shell weight, shell thickness and egg shape index while internal qualities included: albumen weight, albumen height, albumen width, albumen length, yolk weight, yolk height, yolk width, albumen index and yolk index. Data collected was subjected to one-way Analysis of Variance in a Completely Randomized Design using Statistix Analysis software version 10.0. Significant means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD). Mineral composition of the eggs was determined using AOAC method; crude protein by Kjeldahl method; ether extract by Soxhlet method. Result showed that Hb type significantly (p<0.05) influenced egg weights; Hb AA was highest and values ranged from 60.31 to71.55 g. Egg shape index ranged from 80.39 to 75.85%, and Hb AB was significantly higher than the other groups. Albumen weight, length and height, yolk weight, and yolk index were all significantly (p<0.05) affected by haemoglobin genotype of the ducks. Albumen weight ranged from 28.91 to 31.52 g while yolk weight ranged from 20.31 to 22.22 g, Hb AA was significantly higher in both respects. Mineral composition of the eggs was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by Hb genotype in Calcium, Zinc and Iron contents. Values recorded were 0.16 to 0.22 %; 4.42 to 7.23mg/g and 12.59 to 19.64 mg/g for calcium, zinc and iron respectively. Haemoglobin genotype Hb AB had significantly higher zinc and iron content while Hb BB eggs were significantly(p<0.05) higher in calcium. Haemoglobin type significantly affected crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), nitrogen free extract (NFE) and moisture contents of eggs. Values recorded were: 42 – 46.58 %, 34.33 – 37.08%, 18.08 – 20.68% and 70.50 – 72.22% for CP, EE, NFE and moisture contents, respectively. Ducks of Hb AA are recommended for improvement as egg type ducks whereas Hb BB and AB can be selectively improved for mineral and proximate content quality. Duck eggs, irrespective of Hb genotype, are good sources of quality protein to mitigate protein deficiency.