title: Enrichment of hen eggs with n-3 long-chain fatty acids and evaluation of enriched eggs in humans.
abstract: Eggs enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were produced by hens fed diets containing fish oil or a combination of fish and vegetable oils. In a sensory evaluation, 78 untrained volunteers could not distinguish between ordinary and enriched eggs. Storage life was also not significantly different between egg types. A food intake survey of 4 groups of 14 subjects each who consumed 7 eggs/wk for 24 wk showed that intakes of the major dietary components were not significantly different for 4 different egg types. Mean (n = 56) plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations were not significantly different at the start and finish of the study. Body weight and HDL concentrations increased during the study (P < 0.05). For the last 2 wk of the experiment (weeks 23-24), mean egg consumption was increased from a total of 14 to a total of 21 eggs, resulting in a small increase in plasma triacylglycerols only. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in body weight, blood pressure, or plasma lipid components among treatment groups consuming the 4 different egg types. Blood samples taken after 16 and 22 wk from fasted subjects showed significant increases in eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and total n-3 PUFAs in subjects consuming enriched eggs compared with controls. In addition, the ratio of n-6 to n-3 PUFAs in plasma was significantly reduced from 12.2:1 to 6.5-7.7:1 in subjects consuming enriched eggs compared with controls. Consumption of only one enriched egg daily can contribute substantially to the recommended daily intake of n-3 PUFAs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Nutrition, University of New England, Armidale, Australia. farreld@dpi.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Farrell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002645:Chickens; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000737:chemistry*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D008055:Lipids