Natural and synthetic pigments in sorghum-based diets for laying hens

ABSTRACT. The objective of this work was to evaluate the supplementation of yellow natural pigment levels based on Marigold Flower extract (2%) and yellow synthetic pigment (Carophyll Yellow 10%) in sorghum-based rations for commercial laying hens and their influence on bird performance and egg quality. A completely randomized design was adopted with 5 treatments, 6 replicates, and 5 laying hens in each repetition. The treatments evaluated were: Sorghum based diet without supplementation with pigmentant - Negative Control; 150 g t-1 of Yellow Natural Pigment feed; 300 g t-1 of yellow natural pigment feed; 450 g t-1 of yellow natural pigment feed; 25 g t-1 of yellow industrial pigment feed. The Tukey test was applied at 5% for the analysis of the variables of performance and quality of the eggs. The variables related to external and internal egg quality and poultry yield performance did not present significant results (p > 0.05). Only the variable color of the yolk obtained significance (p < 0.01), with an increase according to the number of pigments included in the diet. Sorghum can be used together supplementation of natural and synthetic pigments in the diet to improve yolk pigmentation. It is recommended to include 450g t-1 of natural marigold flower pigment feed (2%) in sorghum-based diets for better pigmentation of the yolk in place of 25 g t-1 of yellow synthetic pigmented, by improving the color of the yolk and not interfering in the productive performance of the laying hens and the quality of the eggs.

摘要。本研究旨在评估以高粱为基础日粮的商品蛋鸡日粮中，2%万寿菊花提取物（Marigold Flower extract）来源黄色天然色素与10%黄色合成色素（Carophyll Yellow 10%）的添加水平，及其对蛋鸡生产性能与鸡蛋品质的影响。本研究采用完全随机设计，设置5个处理组，每组6个重复，每个重复饲养5只蛋鸡。供试处理组如下：1. 无色素添加的高粱基础日粮（阴性对照组）；2. 添加150 g·t⁻¹黄色天然色素的日粮；3. 添加300 g·t⁻¹黄色天然色素的日粮；4. 添加450 g·t⁻¹黄色天然色素的日粮；5. 添加25 g·t⁻¹黄色工业合成色素的日粮。本研究采用Tukey检验在5%显著性水平下对蛋鸡生产性能及鸡蛋品质相关变量进行分析。结果显示，鸡蛋内外品质与蛋鸡生产性能相关变量均未呈现显著差异（p > 0.05）；仅蛋黄颜色变量达到极显著差异水平（p < 0.01），且其表现随日粮中色素添加量的增加而提升。研究表明，高粱基础日粮可配合天然与合成色素添加以改善蛋黄着色效果。推荐在高粱基础日粮中添加450 g·t⁻¹的2%万寿菊来源天然色素饲料，以替代25 g·t⁻¹的黄色合成色素，该方案可在不干扰蛋鸡生产性能与鸡蛋品质的前提下，优化蛋黄颜色表现。