Comparison of Fatty Acid Profile in Egg Yolk from Late-Age Hens Housed in Enriched Cages and in a Free Range System
Meng Peng,
Siria Tavaniello,
Mirosław Banaszak,
Sebastian Wlaźlak,
Marisa Palazzo,
Giulia Grassi,
Giuseppe Maiorano
Affiliations
Meng Peng
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Siria Tavaniello
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Mirosław Banaszak
Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, PBS Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Sebastian Wlaźlak
Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, PBS Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Marisa Palazzo
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Giulia Grassi
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
Giuseppe Maiorano
Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
In recent years, the free-range system for laying hens has increased, driven by societal sensitivity to animal welfare. This study aimed to comparatively analyze the total lipid, cholesterol, and fatty acid composition of egg yolks of late-age laying hens reared in enriched cages (C) and the free-range system (FR). Eggs were collected from Lohmann Brown Classic hens at the 68th, 70th, 72nd, and 74th week of age. The concentrations of total lipids and cholesterol were not affected (p > 0.05) by either factor. Egg yolk from the FR group showed lower (p p p p > 0.05) the fatty acid composition of yolks. Interactions between factors were found for total n-3 and n-6 PUFA and the n-6/n-3 ratio (p p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results confirmed that the free-range system may improve the nutritional yolk fatty acid profile and its positive impact on human health.
