Increasing the nutritional value of eggs by including hemp and flaxseed in the hens diet

ENGLMAIEROVÁ, Michaela. Increasing the nutritional value of eggs by including hemp and flaxseed in the hens diet. Výživa a potraviny, 2025, vol. 80(2), p. 22-26. ISSN 1211-846X.
Year2025
CathegoryPublication in specialized journals
Internal link25042.pdf
Abstract

Eggs are a complete food and its quality can be influenced, among other things, by the nutrition of the laying hens. Therefore, the influence of mixed feeds for laying hens with the addition of hemp and flaxseed on the physical indicators of egg quality, the fatty acid profile, and the content of vitamins and carotenoids in the yolks was tested. The combination of hemp and flaxseed in the diet of laying hens resulted in an increase in egg weight by 2%. The yolk of these eggs showed the highest content of healthy n-3 fatty acids (α -linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic) and the lowest value of atherogenic index and cholesterol content. This mixed feed also increased the content of antioxidants such as γ-tocopherol or carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, in the yolks. Although there was an increase in carotenoids in egg yolks, the colour of the yolk did not reach the level required by their consumers. A tested mixed feed containing a combination of 40 g/kg of hemp and 60 g/kg of flaxseed increases the weight of eggs and the content of nutrients in eggs in favour of health benefits and increasing the shelf life of the product.