Multifunctional feed additive for improving yolk chromaticity and whole egg quality

Abstract

The invention discloses a multifunctional feed additive for improving yolk chromaticity and whole egg quality, and belongs to the technical field of feed additives. The additive is prepared by mixing the following dry substances in parts by weight: 300-500 parts of pine needle meal, 100-150 parts of hermetia illucens powder, 2-8 parts of cantharides yellow, 0.5-5 parts of protoporphyrin and 0.3-1 part of vitamin E. The feed additive disclosed by the invention is added into daily ration of laying hens at the dosage of 1-5%, so that the chromaticity of egg yolk can reach 11-12 grades, the egg yolk is still effective after 10 days after the addition is stopped, the feed additive is obviously superior to an existing single or binary compound colorant, and meanwhile, the egg shell strength is improved, the Hough unit is increased, and the problem of quality decline of eggs laid by the laying hens in the later period of egg laying is solved. The technical problems that an existing egg yolk coloring agent is single in function, short in coloring effect lasting time and incomplete in egg quality improvement are solved, and the egg yolk coloring agent has safety, economical efficiency and practicability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of animal feed additive technology, specifically to a multifunctional feed additive that improves egg yolk color and overall egg quality. Background Technology

[0002] my country ranks among the world's top egg producers, and its per capita egg consumption is also among the highest. Eggs, as a readily available and cost-effective source of nutrition in daily life, have always been popular. The appearance and yolk color of eggs are important indicators for consumers to judge egg quality. Due to their appealing visual appeal, coupled with the common perception that darker yolks indicate higher nutrient content, eggs with darker yolks enjoy significantly higher market acceptance and prices compared to eggs with lighter yolks.

[0003] Laying hens cannot synthesize pigments themselves; the pigment deposits in egg yolks come entirely from the feed they consume, primarily from carotene and carotenoids, but the amount is far from meeting their needs. Especially as laying hens enter the later stages of egg production, their bodily functions decline, digestion and absorption weaken, reducing the absorption and utilization of pigments from feed, and decreasing the liver's ability to metabolize pigments. This results in less pigment deposited in the yolk, causing the yolk to become lighter in color. Besides affecting the yolk, this also negatively impacts the eggshell and albumen, leading to thinner shells and thinner egg whites, ultimately reducing the overall quality of the egg.

[0004] Since the late 20th century, egg products marketed with slogans like "red heart" and "red oil" have flooded the market, sparking a buying frenzy. To meet market demand and increase profits, farmers have added coloring agents to feed. However, existing technologies have significant drawbacks: First, commonly used coloring agents, such as lutein and capsanthin, have short-lasting effects and low color enhancement, requiring continuous high-dose additions, increasing feeding costs. Second, coloring agents have limited functions, generally only enhancing the yolk color and having no effect on the overall quality of the egg, including the shell and albumen. Third, some coloring agents are effective in hens in the early to mid-laying stages but less effective in hens in the later stages. Fourth, some farmers, seeking higher profits, illegally add antibiotics, hormones, and prohibited substances like Sudan Red to feed, causing significant food safety problems in China.

[0005] In light of the above issues, people are actively seeking new methods to increase egg yolk color. For example, patent CN 108522836A discloses an additive composed of paprika oleoresin and dried tangerine peel powder, which can improve egg yolk color and other indicators; patent CN110169493A discloses a feed with added red chili powder, astaxanthin, and corn DDGS as color enhancers, which can also increase egg yolk color; patent CN 101385508A discloses an egg yolk coloring agent with added coarse red chili powder and chemical auxiliaries, which significantly increases egg yolk color. Many methods use similar color-enhancing raw materials, all of which have a certain effect on improving egg yolk color and also contribute to improving other aspects of egg quality. However, questions remain regarding color enhancement, effect stability, and additional benefits. Therefore, developing a new multifunctional feed additive that combines safe and efficient coloring, overall egg quality improvement, and long-lasting effects has become a pressing technical problem for the egg-laying hen farming industry. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a multifunctional feed additive that improves egg yolk color and overall egg quality. After use, it can significantly increase egg yolk color, with a long-lasting effect, and is safe and efficient. It can also reduce the decline in egg quality caused by aging hens, thus improving egg quality in multiple ways and achieving a multidimensional effect of "efficient coloring + overall egg quality improvement + pigment stabilization + intestinal health".

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention is implemented through the following technical solution: a multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and whole egg quality, wherein the additive comprises pine needle powder, black soldier fly powder, cantharidin, protoporphyrin and vitamin E.

[0008] Preferably, the additive is prepared by mixing 300-500 parts of pine needle powder, 100-150 parts of black soldier fly powder, 2-8 parts of cantharidin, 0.5-5 parts of protoporphyrin, and 0.3-1 parts of vitamin E by dry matter mass.

[0009] Preferably, the additive is composed of 500 parts pine needle powder, 120 parts black soldier fly powder, 8 parts cantharidin, 5 parts protoporphyrin and 0.8 parts vitamin E by dry matter mass.

[0010] Preferably, the pine needle powder is made from fresh, mold-free, and pesticide-free pine needles of Pinus tabuliformis or Pinus massoniana, which are dried and then pulverized through an 80-mesh sieve to ensure that active ingredients such as carotenoids are fully released and do not affect the palatability of the feed.

[0011] The black soldier fly powder is made by pulverizing dried and sterilized black soldier fly larvae. The powder passes through an 80-mesh sieve and can promote nutrient absorption in laying hens, maintain ovarian activity, and help improve egg yolk color.

[0012] Preferably, the purity of the cantharidin is ≥98%, which meets the safety standards for feed additives and can be used as an efficient coloring component to enhance the color of egg yolks; the protoporphyrin is of food-grade purity, and its addition in trace amounts can achieve color innovation and synergistic improvement in quality; the vitamin E is of feed grade with a purity of ≥98%.

[0013] Preferably, the additive is added to the laying hen feed, and the proportion of the additive to the feed weight is 1 to 5%.

[0014] Preferably, when the additive is added to the laying hen feed, the amount of cantharidin added alone in the laying hen feed is not higher than 8 mg / kg, and the amount of protoporphyrin added in the laying hen feed is not higher than 5 mg / kg.

[0015] Application of a multifunctional feed additive that improves egg yolk color and overall egg quality in laying hens during the laying period, and in improving the pale yolk color, thinner eggshell, and decreased egg quality of eggs in late laying hens.

[0016] The principle of compounding is: Synergistic coloring: Pine needle powder provides natural carotenoids as a basic source of yellowness, chitin derivatives in black soldier fly powder can regulate the lipid raft structure of intestinal mucosal cells of laying hens and increase the uptake channels of fat-soluble pigments by intestinal epithelial cells, cantharidin specifically enhances red tone deposition, and protoporphyrin, through synergistic action at the molecular level, enables egg yolks to form a red-brown complex tone, breaking through the limitations of traditional single tone, and vitamin E, as a fat-soluble antioxidant, can remove reactive oxygen species in the intestine, protect the pigment molecular structure from oxidation, and promote the synthesis of lipoproteins in intestinal mucosal cells; Synergistic absorption: The flavonoids and polyphenols in pine needle powder can improve the intestinal villus structure of laying hens, increase the intestinal absorption area, and promote the absorption efficiency of fat-soluble pigments such as cantharidin and protoporphyrin. Synergistic Quality: The high-quality protein and minerals in black soldier fly powder provide raw materials for eggshell calcification and protein synthesis. Protoporphyrin can regulate the levels of reproductive hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the serum of laying hens, improving the function of the reproductive system. The bioactive substances in pine needle powder enhance the immunity of laying hens, synergistically improving the eggshell calcification process and protein synthesis efficiency, and improving the problem of declining egg quality in the later stages of egg production.

[0017] This invention offers superior and unique coloring effects, achieving a yellow yolk hue level of 11-12 within 20 days. The dosage can be adjusted to create differentiated "reddish-brown yolks," catering to niche market demands. Compared to a single pine needle powder group, it improves the yolk hue by 1-2 levels, and compared to a lutein + capsanthin combination group, it improves by 0.3-0.8 levels, demonstrating a more significant effect. It synergistically improves overall egg quality, not only enhancing yolk hue but also increasing pigment absorption and utilization in late-laying hens, addressing issues like thinner eggshells and thinner albumen, and reducing the proportion of substandard eggs. It boasts high safety, with all raw materials meeting feed additive safety standards and containing no prohibited ingredients. The dosage is controlled within the carotenoid limit to avoid excessive pigment deposition; the cost is controllable, as pine needle powder and black soldier fly powder are widely available and inexpensive, and trace amounts of protoporphyrin and vitamin E can enhance the effect without the need for high-dose input, balancing efficacy and economy; it has wide applicability: suitable for laying hens of all ages, especially suitable for laying hens in the late laying period, without affecting feed palatability, and ensuring stable feed intake for laying hens; it innovatively combines various raw materials to form a closed-loop mechanism of "pigment complementarity - absorption synergy - physiological support - stability guarantee", which promotes the effect of each other, reduces waste, and improves utilization rate. Detailed Implementation

[0018] To make the objectives, steps, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the steps in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0019] Example 1: This multifunctional feed additive, which improves egg yolk color and overall egg quality, has the following ingredient ratio: 300 parts pine needle powder, 100 parts black soldier fly powder, 4 parts cantharidin, 1 part protoporphyrin, and 0.3 parts vitamin E.

[0020] This multifunctional feed additive, which improves egg yolk color and overall egg quality, is prepared as follows: Pine needles dried at low temperature are pulverized and passed through an 80-mesh sieve; black soldier fly larvae are dried, sterilized, pulverized, and passed through an 80-mesh sieve; these are then mixed with 98% pure cantharidin, food-grade protoporphyrin, and vitamin E in a specific ratio; and stirred for 10 minutes using a twin-shaft mixer to ensure uniform mixing. 1% by weight is then added to the feed.

[0021] Example 2: This multifunctional feed additive, which improves egg yolk color and overall egg quality, has the following ingredient ratio: 400 parts pine needle powder, 110 parts black soldier fly powder, 6 parts cantharidin, 3 parts protoporphyrin, and 0.5 parts vitamin E.

[0022] The preparation method is the same as in Example 1, with 3% added to the feed according to the weight percentage.

[0023] Example 3: This multifunctional feed additive, which improves egg yolk color and overall egg quality, has the following ingredient ratio: 500 parts pine needle powder, 120 parts black soldier fly powder, 8 parts cantharidin, 5 parts protoporphyrin, and 0.8 parts vitamin E.

[0024] The preparation method is the same as in Example 1, with 5% added to the feed by weight.

[0025] Example 4 This multifunctional feed additive, which improves egg yolk color and overall egg quality, has the following ingredient ratio: 500 parts pine needle powder, 150 parts black soldier fly powder, 2 parts cantharidin, 0.5 parts protoporphyrin, and 1 part vitamin E. Add 5% by weight to the feed.

[0026] The preparation method is the same as in Example 1, with 5% added to the feed by weight.

[0027] Comparative test To verify the effectiveness of the feed additive of the present invention, a feeding trial was conducted on laying hens using the feed additive of the present invention, as detailed below: Two hundred and fifty healthy Hy-Line Brown laying hens aged 60 weeks were randomly divided into five groups of 50 each, designated as control group, experimental group 1, experimental group 2, experimental group 3, and experimental group 4. Before the experiment, all groups were pre-fed with the same commercially available standard laying hen feed for five days to eliminate initial differences. The composition and nutrient levels of the commercially available standard laying hen feed are shown in Table 1. Table 1. Composition and Nutritional Levels of Laying Hen Feed

[0028] Note: The premix provides the following per kilogram of feed: VA 3500 IU, VB1 8 mg, VB2 20 mg, VB6 15 mg, VB... 12 0.05mg, Vitamin D3 1200IU, Vitamin E 150IU, Vitamin K 10IU, Niacin 100mg, D-Calcium Pantothenate 40mg, Biotin 0.5mg, Folic Acid 4mg, Cu 1.2mg, Fe 25mg, Mn 40mg, Zn 23mg The entire experiment was divided into two phases: The first phase lasted from day 1 to day 20. The control group was fed the above-mentioned commercially available ordinary laying hen feed. Experimental group 1 was fed with the laying hen feed additive of Example 1 of this invention in the commercially available ordinary laying hen feed. Experimental group 2 was fed with the laying hen feed additive of Example 2 of this invention in the commercially available ordinary laying hen feed. Experimental group 3 was fed with the laying hen feed additive of Example 3 of this invention in the commercially available ordinary laying hen feed. Experimental group 4 was fed with 3% by weight of a commercially available common egg yolk coloring agent (the coloring agent was prepared by mixing 97% by weight of red chili powder and 3% by weight of astaxanthin and passing it through an 80-mesh sieve) in the commercially available ordinary laying hen feed.

[0029] The second phase lasted 20-30 days, during which the control group and experimental groups 1-4 were fed commercially available ordinary laying hen feed.

[0030] All laying hens had free access to feed and water, and the lighting, temperature, and humidity were all under the same and suitable conditions.

[0031] Experimental objective: The quality of the whole egg was analyzed by comparing the yolk color, shell strength, and Haugh units of the eggs produced by the experimental chickens in each group.

[0032] Measurement indicators and methods: On days 20 and 30 of the experiment, 20 eggs were randomly selected from each of the control and experimental groups. The eggshell strength was first tested using an Oka eggshell strength tester, and then the yolk color and Haugh units were tested using an Oka whole egg product analyzer.

[0033] Experimental results: Table 2 shows the egg production parameters of the control and experimental groups. Table 2 Egg production indicators of each group of laying hens on days 20 and 30

[0034] Table 2 shows that after 20 days of feeding, compared with the control group, the egg production of experimental groups 1-3, fed with the feed additive of this invention, showed significantly higher levels of egg yolk color, eggshell strength, and Haugh units. Even after the feed additive of this invention was discontinued in experimental groups 1-3, the egg yolk color, eggshell strength, and Haugh units of eggs produced on day 30 were still higher than those of the control group, with the addition amount in Example 3 showing the best effect. After 20 days of feeding, the egg production of experimental group 4 showed a significantly higher egg yolk color than the control group, but still lower than that of experimental groups 1-3. Eggshell strength and Haugh units did not show significant changes compared to the control group. After the addition of the colorant was stopped, the egg yolk color returned to its initial state, and eggshell strength and Haugh units still showed no significant changes.

[0035] The results show that while commercially available egg yolk color enhancers can improve egg yolk color, the effect is limited. Once addition is stopped, the yolk color quickly returns to its initial state, and these additives do not enhance the overall quality of the egg. However, the multifunctional additive of this invention, when added to commercially available ordinary laying hen feed, produces eggs with deeper yolks, making them more appealing to consumers; the eggshells are stronger, reducing losses during production and transportation; and the Haugh unit is higher, improving egg quality. Furthermore, the effects of this feed additive are still evident even after a period of discontinuation, and its application to laying hens in the later stages of egg production is also very effective, demonstrating the technical advantages of synergistic effects.

Claims

1. A multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and overall egg quality, characterized in that: The additives include pine needle powder, black soldier fly powder, cantharidin, protoporphyrin, and vitamin E.

2. The multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and overall egg quality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The additive is prepared by mixing 300-500 parts of pine needle powder, 100-150 parts of black soldier fly powder, 2-8 parts of cantharidin, 0.5-5 parts of protoporphyrin, and 0.3-1 parts of vitamin E by dry matter mass.

3. The multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and overall egg quality according to claim 2, characterized in that, The additive is composed of 500 parts pine needle powder, 120 parts black soldier fly powder, 8 parts cantharidin, 5 parts protoporphyrin and 0.8 parts vitamin E by dry matter mass.

4. The multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and overall egg quality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pine needle powder is made from fresh, mold-free, and pesticide-free pine needles of Pinus tabuliformis or Pinus massoniana, which are dried and then pulverized through an 80-mesh sieve.

5. A multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and overall egg quality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The black soldier fly powder is made by pulverizing dried and sterilized black soldier fly larvae, and the powder passes through an 80-mesh sieve.

6. The multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and overall egg quality according to claim 1, characterized in that, The purity of the cantharidin is ≥98%, the protoporphyrin is of food grade purity, and the vitamin E is of feed grade with a purity ≥98%.

7. A multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and overall egg quality according to claims 1-6, characterized in that, The additive is used in laying hen feed, and its proportion is 1-5% by weight of the feed.

8. The multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and overall egg quality according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the additives are added to laying hen feed, the amount of cantharidin added alone in the laying hen feed shall not exceed 8 mg / kg, and the amount of protoporphyrin added shall not exceed 5 mg / kg.

9. The application of the multifunctional feed additive for improving egg yolk color and overall egg quality as described in claims 1-6 in improving the light yolk color, thinner eggshell, and decreased egg quality of laying hens during the laying period and in the later stages of egg production.

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