Lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin content of eggs laid by hens supplemented with free and esterified xanthophylls

Abstract

The xanthophyll carotenoids lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z) and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) are found at the macula, the central part of the retina, where they are referred to as macular pigment (MP). MP is studied in human subjects because of its proven role in enhancing visual function and its putative role in protecting against age-related macular degeneration. These benefits are probably due to the antioxidant and short-wavelength filtering properties of MP. It is known that eggs are a dietary source of L and Z. This experiment was designed to measure the egg yolk carotenoid response to hen supplementation with L, Z and MZ. A total of forty hens were used in the trial and were divided into eight groups of five hens. Each group was supplemented (with about 140 mg active xanthophylls/kg feed) with one of the following oil-based carotenoid formulations for 6 weeks: unesterified L (group 1); L diacetate (group 2); unesterified Z (group 3); Z diacetate (group 4); unesterified MZ (group 5); MZ diacetate (group 6); L–MZ (1:1) diacetate mixture (group 7); L–MZ diacetate (1:3) mixture (group 8). Yolk carotenoid content was analysed weekly (in four randomly selected eggs) by HPLC. We found that hens supplemented with Z diacetate and MZ diacetate produced eggs with significantly greater carotenoid concentrations than their free form counterparts. This finding potentially represents the development of a novel food, suitable to increase MP and its constituent carotenoids in serum.

The role of a dairy fraction rich in milk fat globule membrane in the suppression of postprandial inflammatory markers and bone turnover in obese and overweight adults: an exploratory study

“…The final subject population included 17 males and 19 females. Details of subject enrollment, CONSORT Diagram and follow up have been previously published [7]. All subjects ( n  = 36) consumed all four test meals.…”

“…Details of the PPI study have been previously published [7]. Briefly, subjects were recruited from the Davis and greater Sacramento areas of California and included 36 adults (19 women and 17 men).…”

“…In the Post-Prandial Inflammation (PPI) study, our group showed that the addition of a dairy fraction rich in milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) reduced postprandial concentrations of cholesterol, inflammatory markers and insulin in overweight and obese subjects who consumed test meals high in saturated fatty acids (SFA) [7]. MFGM was selected as a key ingredient due to its reported anti-inflammatory properties [8].…”

“…Since inflammation has been associated with increased bone resorption [13], and we previously showed that the addition of MFGM to a high SFA challenge meal reduces inflammatory markers [7], we hypothesized that due to anti-inflammatory effects of MFGM, high SFA challenge meals containing MFGM would attenuate postprandial bone turnover markers to a greater extent than high SFA challenge meals without MFGM.…”

Hen egg carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) and nutritional impacts on human health: a review

“…Naturally enriched eggs were made by increasing the levels of the xanthophylls lutein and zeaxanthin in the feed given to laying hens (Kelly et al, 2014;Nolan et al, 2016). Algae in laying hen diets can also influence carotenoid content of egg yolks.…”