Skip to main content
Publications | Persons | Institutes | Projects
[ report an error in this record ] Print this page

Enrichment of eggs with omega-3 fatty acids by dietary supplementation with algal biomass
www.kuleuven-kulak.be/nl/onderzoek/Wetenschappen/chemie/research-1/omegaei

Acronym: OMEGA-EI
Period: January 2011 till December 2012
Status: Completed
 Institutes 

Institutes (4)  Top 
  • Flanders' Food, more
  • KU Leuven; Group Science, Engineering and Technology; Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems; Laboratory Food & Lipids, more
  • KU Leuven (KULeuven), more
  • Katholieke Universiteit Leuven; Departement Biosystemen; Afdeling Dier-Voeding-Kwaliteit, more

Abstract
Numerous studies have shown that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are effective in preventing or treating several diseases. Unfortunately, in many western countries, the average intake is below the recommended level, raising interest in food enrichment with omega-3 PUFA. In this regard, the fatty acid composition of eggs can be modified by feed adaptation. Nowadays, enriched eggs are mostly produced through feed supplementation with flaxseed, and are thus mainly enriched in ALA. However, in humans, the conversion from ALA to EPA and, subsequently, DHA is rather limited. Moreover, the health promoting effects are mostly ascribed to EPA and DHA. To that end, the aim of this research is to study the impact of feed supplementation with ALA, EPA and/or DHA rich algal biomass on the omega-3 PUFA composition of egg yolk and the zootechnical performance of the hens.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Institutes