Influence of Source and Ratio of Xanthophyll Pigments on Broiler Chicken Pigmentation and Performance

Abstract

One experiment was conducted using 960 1-d-old, sexed broilers of Ross 308 strain from 1 to 43 d to evaluate if one type of chemically isomerized marigold with 25% of xanthophylls as zeaxanthin (SME-25) could produce pigmentation equivalent to the current addition of conventional marigold with 10% of xanthophylls as zeaxanthin (SME-10) plus canthaxanthin (CTX) in practical broiler diets (maize-wheat-soybean). Birds were allocated in 32 pens, in a randomized complete block design (four blocks x four treatments). The treatments consisted of a nonpigmented control (T1), a combination of 35 ppm of yellow xanthophylls (YX) from SME-10 + 5 ppm of CTX (T2), a combination of 32 ppm of YX from SME-10 + 2 ppm of CTX (T4), and one treatment with 40 ppm of YX from a new SME-25 (T3). There were no significant treatment effects on chicken performance. All color parameters (Minolta coordinates, Roche color fan scores, Rank test) presented significant differences (P < 0.0001) because of dietary pigments on shanks and breast skin. Birds fed the SME-25 diet had less pigmentation than those fed equivalent quantities of a combination of SME-10 + CTX. The Minolta coordinate "b" measured in breast skin was a good indicator of YX content in feed, whereas the "a" coordinate measured on the shank showed a linear relationship with the dietary CTX level (r = 0.61, P < 0.0001). The same visual color classification of chickens was achieved irrespective of the rank test performed (by shank or carcass color). Lutein and zeaxanthin from the SME-25 product had lower deposition rates in skin and fat tissues than those from the SME-10 product. This finding seems to be related to the ratio of zeaxanthin stereoisomer RR (optically active) vs. RS that was found in tissues from the SME-10 product (97.8%:2.2%), whereas with SME-25 this ratio was 16.0:84.0%. These results suggest that inclusion of only the SME-25 product could not replace the current addition of SME-10 and CTX combinations.

Absorption and cutaneous deposition of yellow pigment in male and female broilers in response to different levels of xanthophylls from Tagetes erecta

“…Dietary xanthophyll level did not have any effect on growth performance, which is in agreement with previous research (Martínez et al 2004, Le Bihan-Duval et al 1998, Pérez-Vendrell et al 2001.…”

Use of Maize Distiller’s Dried Grains with Solubles (DDGS) in Laying Hen Diets: Trends and Advances

“…Adv., 10 (11): 690-707, 2015 Pigments are highly susceptible to oxygen, light and temperature (Kerrer and Jucker, 1950). Deposition of carotenoids in skin, egg yolk or adipose tissue causes yellow coloration which makes it more acceptable and attractive by the consumers (Perez-Vendrell et al, 2001;Leeson and Caston, 2004). Leeson and Summers (2005) reported that yellow corn grains have about 20 ppm of xanthophylls and corn DDGS it is expected that may by a good source of xanthophylls pigment, because of their concentration during the production process.…”

Pigmentantes naturais em rações à base de sorgo para codornas japonesas em postura

“…A páprica apresenta entre 4 e 8 g/kg de xantofilas, sendo 50 a 70% capsantina, um pigmento vermelho-alaranjado (Galobart et al, 2004). Os pigmentos são absorvidos no íleo juntamente com os ácidos graxos, na forma de micelas, são esterificados e armazenados principalmente no tecido adiposo e na pele como hidroxicarotenoides (Pérez-Vendrell et al, 2001).…”