title: Comparison of dietary tocotrienols from barley and palm oils in hen's egg yolk: transfer efficiency, influence of emulsification, and effect on egg cholesterol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main component in tocotrienols (T3) from barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is α-T3, the vitamer with the highest bioavailability, while palm oil T3 is particularly rich in γ-T3. Unlike tocopherols, T3 are known for their cholesterogenesis-inhibiting, neuroprotective and anticarcinogenic properties. In this study the oral bioavailabilities of T3 from barley oil (3.98 mg day⁻¹) and T3 from palm oil (3.36 mg day⁻¹) in nanoemulsified formulations (NE) and self-emulsifying systems (SES) were compared using hen's eggs as a bioindicator. In addition, the transfer efficiencies of barley oil T3 and palm oil T3 into egg yolk were compared, as well as their effects on egg cholesterol levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nanoemulsification led to T3 levels (132.9 µg per egg) higher than with non-emulsified barley oil (112.8 µg per egg) and barley oil SES (116.7 µg per egg) owing to the high proportions of α-T3 (99-117 µg per egg), which has a particularly high transfer efficiency (4.32-6.75%). T3 contents of eggs from hens fed barley oil supplements (112-132 µg per egg) were significantly higher than those of eggs from hens fed palm oil supplements (70-78 µg per egg). Addition of barley and palm oils to laying hen feed decreased egg yolk cholesterol by 4 and 6% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this animal study may help to establish T3 from barley as a dietary supplement and to develop nutritionally improved hen's eggs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Food Toxicology and Analytical Chemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Bischofsholer Damm 15/123, D-30173, Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Constanze M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Walde
authors.forename: Astrid M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Drotleff
authors.forename: Waldemar
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ternes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D028023:Arecaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D001692:Biological Transport; D002645:Chickens; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004530:Egg Yolk / Q000378:metabolism*; D004531:Eggs / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D001467:Hordeum / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000178:diet therapy; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D009753:Nutritive Value; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D024508:Tocotrienols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; C570135:Tocomin; D024508:Tocotrienols; D000073878:Palm Oil; D002784:Cholesterol; C082032:tocotrienol, alpha
keywords: barley; hen's egg yolk; oral absorption; tocopherol; tocotrienol