High lutein-containing eggs, processed food products, method for producing high lutein-containing eggs, and feed for egg-laying hens

Abstract

To provide an egg highly containing lutein, and containing lutein and zeaxanthin at a high concentration, to provide a processed food material obtained by processing the egg, and to provide a production method of the egg, and feed for egg-laying hens to be used for the production method.SOLUTION: An egg highly containing lutein has a content of lutein of 2 mg or more based on an edible part of 100 g of the egg. Due to that the egg highly containing lutein contains lutein at a high concentration, the egg daily ingested by a person can protect his / her eyes from stimulation of light, and contribute to health maintenance of the eyes so as to be utilized for prevention of an eye disease risk.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to eggs with high lutein content, processed food materials, a method for producing eggs with high lutein content, and feed for laying hens. [Background technology]

[0002] Eggs are inexpensive and highly nutritious, containing the five major nutrients required by the human body - carbohydrates, lipids, protein, minerals, and vitamins - as well as amino acids that the human body cannot produce.

[0003] For example, eggs contain lutein, which is known to have antioxidant properties. In recent years, it has been reported that ingesting lutein may prevent diseases such as increased pigmentation in the macular, macular degeneration, and cataracts. In particular, it has been reported that the recommended intake amount for increasing pigmentation in the macular is 10 mg of lutein per day. Methods for ingesting lutein include, for example, ingesting lutein-containing foods from eggs, and ingesting lutein from spinach or supplements. However, it has been reported that the absorption rate in the human body is reduced to about 2-3 times lower when ingesting lutein from spinach or supplements compared to when ingesting lutein from eggs. Therefore, if lutein is to be effectively absorbed by the human body, it is desirable to ingest lutein from eggs. In addition to lutein, zeaxanthin has also been found to be important for eye health. Zeaxanthin is also found in eggs, so consuming lutein from eggs also has the benefit of providing zeaxanthin at the same time.

[0004] However, the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin contained in regular eggs is at most 0.4 mg per 100 g of edible portion, and the amount of zeaxanthin is at most 0.1 mg, making it difficult to consume sufficient amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin from eggs.

[0005] Therefore, in order to increase the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin ingested from eggs, attempts have been made to increase the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin contained in eggs. For example, the amount of lutein and zeaxanthin contained in eggs has been increased by adjusting the feed given to laying hens (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0006] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the amount of lutein can be increased to 0.72 mg per 100 g of edible portion by adding marigold or oregano to general feed. Patent Document 2 discloses that the amount of lutein can be increased to 1.95 mg per 100 g of edible portion (6.5 mg per 100 g of egg yolk) by adding marigold extract to general feed. Patent Document 3 discloses that the amount of zeaxanthin can be increased to 0.52 mg per 100 g of edible portion by adding Spirulina algae to general feed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-20510 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2003-102395 A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-155430 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, the amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin contained in eggs produced by the production methods of Patent Documents 1 to 3 are still insufficient for ingesting the necessary amount of lutein and zeaxanthin from eggs. Moreover, while the eggs produced by the production methods of Patent Documents 1 to 3 contain a large amount of either lutein or zeaxanthin, no eggs containing a large amount of both have been disclosed.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a lutein-rich egg containing high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin, a processed food material prepared by processing the egg, a method for producing the egg, and feed for layer hens used in the production method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The high lutein content egg of the first invention is an egg containing lutein, characterized in that the lutein content is 2 mg or more per 100 g of the edible portion of the egg. The high lutein content egg of the second invention is the same as that of the first invention, characterized in that the lutein content is 2.5 mg or more per 100 g of the edible portion of the egg. The high lutein content egg of the third invention is the egg of the second invention, characterized in that the lutein content is 3.0 mg or more per 100 g of the edible portion of the egg. The high lutein-containing egg of the fourth invention is the egg of the first invention, characterized in that the zeaxanthin content is 0.35 mg or more per 100 g of the edible portion of the egg. The high lutein-containing egg of the fifth invention is the egg of the fourth invention, characterized in that the zeaxanthin content is 0.38 mg or more per 100 g of edible portion of the egg. The processed food material of the sixth invention is characterized in that it is obtained by processing the high lutein-containing eggs described in the first to fifth inventions. The processed food material of the seventh invention is characterized in that it is obtained by freezing edible portions of the high lutein-containing eggs described in the first to fifth inventions. The high-lutein egg of the eighth invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the b value of the egg yolk measured using a colorimeter after heating at 100°C for 30 minutes is at least twice the b value of the egg yolk measured using the colorimeter before heating, the b value measured using the colorimeter of the egg yolk before heating is a value measured using a colorimeter to measure the liquid level after stirring the egg yolk separated from the egg in a container, and the b value measured using the colorimeter of the egg yolk after heating is a value measured using a colorimeter to measure a cross-section of the heated egg yolk removed from the container after heating. The ninth invention relates to a method for producing eggs with high lutein content, which is a method for promoting the transfer of lutein into eggs, and is characterized in that the eggs are obtained from chickens that are continuously fed a feed containing 100 mg or more of lutein and 1000 EPU or more of xylanase per kg of feed. The feed for laying hens according to the tenth aspect of the present invention is feed for chickens, and is characterized by containing 100 mg or more of lutein and 1000 EPU or more of xylanase per kg of feed. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the first to seventh inventions, since lutein and / or zeaxanthin are contained at high concentrations, it becomes possible for a person to prevent the risk of eye diseases by taking them daily. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the appearance of food can be improved when it is cooked. According to the ninth invention, eggs containing a high concentration of lutein can be produced. According to the tenth invention, by feeding the feed to layer hens, it is possible to breed layer hens that produce eggs containing a high concentration of lutein. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a table showing the experimental results of Examples 1 to 7 and Comparative Example 1. [Diagram 2] 1 is a table showing the experimental results of Example 8 and Comparative Example 2. [Diagram 3] 13 is a table showing the experimental results of Examples 9 and 10. [Figure 4] 1 is a table showing the experimental results of evaluating the color of egg yolk. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the high lutein-containing egg, the processed food material, the method for producing the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment, and the feed for laying hens of this embodiment will be described.

[0014] <Feed for egg-laying hens of this embodiment> First, the feed for layers according to the present embodiment will be described. The feed for layer hens of this embodiment is a feed used for raising layer hens, and is produced by mixing a basic feed with an additive feed.

[0015] The basic feed is one that is usually used as a feed for poultry. The basic feed is prepared by mixing, for example, corn as the main ingredient with other animal feed ingredients (fish meal, etc.), vegetable oil cake (soybean oil cake, rapeseed oil cake, etc.), grains (wheat, etc.), bran (bran, rice bran, etc.), calcium carbonate, oyster shells, etc. For example, the basic feed can be manufactured by adjusting the mixing ratio of various commercially available feeds. The ingredients contained in the basic feed are not limited to those mentioned above, and any ingredients that are generally adopted as ingredients of feed used for raising egg-laying hens can be adopted. The mixing ratio of each ingredient contained in the basic feed can be the mixing ratio adopted in general feeds, but the mixing ratio of each ingredient is not particularly limited. The mixing ratio can be appropriately adjusted according to the growth state, environment, and other conditions of the egg-laying hens to be fed with the feed.

[0016] The additive feed to be mixed with the basic feed is added to the basic feed to prepare the components contained in the entire layer feed. In the layer feed of this embodiment, additive feed capable of increasing the amount of lutein contained in the layer feed is used. In other words, in the layer feed of this embodiment, a material containing a raw material containing lutein as an ingredient is used as the additive feed. Examples of raw materials containing lutein include marigold (flowers, petals, leaves), yellow corn (fruit), green leafy vegetables such as kale and spinach, chlorella, kiwi fruit, grapes, and the like. The form in which the raw material containing lutein is mixed as additive feed into the basic feed is not particularly limited. For example, when marigold is mixed as additive feed, dried marigold petals may be crushed and mixed, or an extract obtained by extracting marigold petals with an organic solvent may be mixed. In addition, the raw material containing lutein may be derived from a natural product as described above, but may also be chemically synthesized.

[0017] The additive feed to be mixed with the basic feed is prepared so that the lutein content in the entire layer feed, i.e., in the state where the additive feed is mixed with the basic feed, is a certain amount or more. For example, the amount of additive feed to be mixed with the basic feed is prepared so that the lutein content is 100 mg or more per kg of layer feed, preferably 120 mg or more per kg of layer feed, and more preferably 150 mg or more per kg of layer feed. Note that, in the state where the additive feed is mixed with the basic feed, the upper limit of the lutein content in the entire layer feed is not particularly limited.

[0018] In addition, the additive feed to be mixed with the basic feed contains an enzyme having the function of hydrolyzing xylan. For example, it is desirable that the additive feed contains enzymes such as xylanase and amylase (aspergillus oryzae). When xylanase is contained in the additive feed, the amount of the additive feed to be mixed with the basic feed is prepared so that the xylanase is 1000 EPU (Endopentsanase Units) or more per 1 kg of the feed for layers, preferably 1200 EPU or more per 1 kg of the feed for layers, and more preferably 1500 EPU or more per 1 kg of the feed for layers. In addition, when the additive feed is mixed with the basic feed, there is no particular upper limit on the content of xylanase in the entire feed for layers.

[0019] The xylanase addition unit EPU means the amount of enzyme required to liberate 0.0083 μmol of reducing sugar equivalent (xylose equivalent) from oat spelt xylan per minute at pH 4.7 and 50° C.

[0020] As described above, the feed for layer hens of this embodiment is prepared by preparing the additive feed to be mixed with the basic feed so that the amounts of lutein and xylanase are as described above, and the mixing ratio of the two is adjusted, so that it is possible to produce eggs containing a high concentration of lutein by feeding the feed for layer hens of this embodiment. In other words, it is possible to transfer a large amount of lutein to eggs, which could not be achieved by simply increasing the amount of lutein contained in the feed for layer hens.

[0021] Moreover, by feeding the layer feed of this embodiment to layer hens, it is possible to increase not only the amount of lutein but also the amount of zeaxanthin contained in the eggs. In other words, it is possible to transfer not only lutein but also a large amount of zeaxanthin to the eggs. Zeaxanthin is contained in the raw materials contained in the basic feed and additive feed, but by using the layer feed of this embodiment, it is possible to transfer a large amount of zeaxanthin as well as lutein to the eggs.

[0022] <Method for producing eggs with high lutein content according to the present embodiment> The method for producing eggs with high lutein content according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the present production method) is a method for harvesting eggs while continuously feeding the layer feed of the present embodiment prepared as described above (hereinafter, sometimes simply referred to as the present layer feed) to layer hens. By employing the present production method, it is possible to promote the transfer of lutein and zeaxanthin to eggs, and it becomes possible to efficiently produce eggs containing high concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin.

[0023] Specifically, the present production method is a method of raising egg-laying hens while continuously feeding the present egg-laying hens feed for a predetermined period of time. For example, the present egg-laying hens feed is continuously fed to the egg-laying hens from a little before the egg-laying hens start laying the eggs with high lutein content. In other words, the egg-laying hens are raised so that the egg-laying hens are fed the present egg-laying hens feed for a predetermined period of time or longer at the stage of harvesting the eggs with high lutein content.

[0024] In the present production method, the timing for starting feeding of the present egg-laying hen feed is not particularly limited. For example, feeding of the present egg-laying hen feed may be started from the chick-entry stage, or may be started from the adult stage. In addition, the period for feeding the present egg-laying hen feed may be appropriately adjusted during the rearing process depending on the molting situation. For example, the present egg-laying hen feed is fed from the chick-entry stage, and feeding of the present egg-laying hen feed is stopped during the molting stage, and feed suitable for the molting stage is fed during that period. Then, feeding of the present egg-laying hen feed may be resumed when the egg quality becomes suitable after molting (for example, 7 weeks to 70 days after molting).

[0025] The period from feeding the layer feed of this embodiment to starting to collect desired eggs (the high lutein-containing eggs of this embodiment, hereinafter referred to as the present high lutein-containing eggs) is preferably a period during which the blood lutein concentration and blood zeaxanthin concentration of the layer rise to a level at which the transfer of lutein and zeaxanthin to the eggs is promoted. In other words, the layer feed is fed continuously for a period until the lutein concentration in the present high lutein-containing eggs reaches or exceeds the concentration described below, and then the present high lutein-containing eggs are collected.

[0026] The continuous use period of the present egg-laying hen feed is, for example, 30 or more consecutive days, preferably 35 or more days, more preferably 40 or more days, and even more preferably 45 or more days. The continuous use period includes a period of several days when the egg-laying hen feed is not fed, and the present egg-laying hen feed does not necessarily have to be fed completely continuously. In other words, the period during which the present egg-laying hen feed is fed only needs to be longer than the period during which other feeds are fed, and the continuous use period also includes the case where the present egg-laying hen feed is fed intermittently.

[0027] The types of egg-laying hens bred by this production method include commonly bred White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds, but are not limited to these types.

[0028] <Eggs with high lutein content according to this embodiment> The high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment is an egg that contains lutein at a high concentration in the egg. Specifically, the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment is an egg that contains 2 mg or more of lutein per 100 g of edible portion of the egg. The high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment is an egg that contains 2 mg or more of lutein, preferably 2.8 mg or more, more preferably 3.0 mg or more of lutein per 100 g of edible portion.

[0029] The high lutein content eggs of the present embodiment also include eggs containing zeaxanthin at a high concentration. Specifically, the high lutein content eggs of the present embodiment also include eggs containing 0.35 mg or more, preferably 0.38 mg or more, more preferably 4.0 mg or more of zeaxanthin per 100 g of edible portion.

[0030] In particular, the high lutein-containing eggs of this embodiment include those having both lutein and zeaxanthin in high concentrations. Specifically, the high lutein-containing eggs of this embodiment include those containing 2 mg or more of lutein per 100 g of edible portion of the egg and 0.35 mg or more of zeaxanthin per 100 g of edible portion of the egg. Preferably, the high lutein-containing eggs of this embodiment include those containing not only lutein but also 2.8 mg or more of lutein per 100 g of edible portion of the egg and 0.35 mg or more of zeaxanthin per 100 g of edible portion of the egg. More preferably, the high lutein-containing eggs of this embodiment include those containing not only lutein but also 3.0 mg or more of lutein per 100 g of edible portion of the egg and 0.35 mg or more of zeaxanthin per 100 g of edible portion of the egg. More preferably, the high lutein content eggs of the present embodiment include eggs that contain not only lutein but also 3.0 mg or more of lutein per 100 g of edible portion of egg and 0.4 mg or more of zeaxanthin per 100 g of edible portion of egg.

[0031] As described above, the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment contains lutein and zeaxanthin at the above-mentioned concentrations, so that if a person ingests the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment, it is expected that the retinal (macular) pigment that is said to protect the eyes from light stimuli will be increased. In other words, the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment can protect the human eyes from light stimuli and contribute to maintaining the health of the eyes, so it can be useful for preventing the risk of eye disease in the human eyes. Then, the amount of the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment that can prevent the risk of eye disease by a person ingesting the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment can be appropriately adjusted according to the physical condition of the person who ingests it. For example, by replacing the eggs that a person generally ingests per day with the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the risk of eye disease in the person's eyes.

[0032] Specifically, the amount of lutein that can be expected to increase pigmentation in the macular region is thought to be about 10 mg per day. Therefore, in the case of eggs of a general size M or larger (eggs with an average weight of about 60 g or more and an edible portion of about 50 g or more), if about 2.5 or more eggs, preferably 3 eggs, are eaten per day, it is possible to ingest about 5 mg of the high lutein content eggs of this embodiment, which is half of the daily amount of functional ingredients generally adopted in the functional food guidelines.

[0033] In addition, since the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment contains lutein at or above the above value, the yellowness of the egg yolk can be improved. When the yellowness of the egg yolk is improved, the appetite for food cooked using the egg can be improved. In particular, when the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment is heated, the yellowness of the egg yolk becomes deeper and more vivid. Therefore, the high lutein-containing egg of this embodiment is more suitable as an egg to be used in dishes that require heating.

[0034] Generally, the egg is composed of approximately 10% shell, 60% white, and 30% yolk by weight. Most of the lutein and zeaxanthin in eggs is stored in the yolk, so if you only take in the yolk, you can take in lutein and zeaxanthin more efficiently.

[0035] In addition, the high lutein-containing eggs of this embodiment can be produced by raising egg-laying hens according to the production method of this embodiment using the egg-laying hens feed of this embodiment described above. As described above, the high lutein-containing eggs of this embodiment obtained by this production method can have a high lutein content that has never been expected before.

[0036] In this specification, when a numerical range is described using "to", the range includes both the lower limit and the upper limit unless otherwise specified. For example, the range "1 to 10" includes both the lower limit "1" and the upper limit "10". That is, "1 to 10" means the same as "1 or greater and 10 or less." In addition, in this specification, the values ​​of "%" and "ppm" mean weight ratios. In this specification, "1 mg / kg" has the same meaning as "1 ppm." In this specification, the content is expressed by mass or weight ratio unless otherwise specified.

[0037] <Processed food material of this embodiment> The processed food material of this embodiment is a food material processed using the high lutein-containing egg. That is, it is a food material containing a large amount of lutein and zeaxanthin contained in the high lutein-containing egg. The processed food material of this embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is a food material produced using the high lutein-containing egg. For example, the processed food material of this embodiment may include food materials directly processed from eggs, such as boiled eggs and rolled eggs, mayonnaise, pasta sauce, dressing, etc.

[0038] In addition, frozen eggs obtained by freezing eggs are also included in the processed food material of this embodiment. Frozen eggs refer to eggs that have been prepared by cracking the shells of eggs to extract only the edible parts, filtering the edible parts to remove the egg shells and the like, and then freezing the eggs. EXAMPLES

[0039] Laying hen feed (corresponding to the laying hen feed of this embodiment) was fed to poultry (test chickens) for more than 45 consecutive days, and the lutein and zeaxanthin contents in the collected eggs (corresponding to the high lutein-containing eggs of this embodiment) were confirmed.

[0040] The experiment used White Leghorn layer hens as test hens. The day when the test hens were first fed the layer feed was equivalent to the age of the test hens being 516 days and the 62nd day after molting. The amount of egg-laying hen feed given was a fixed amount of 110 g per chicken per day.

[0041] The lutein and zeaxanthin contents of eggs were confirmed for eggs harvested 45 days after feeding laying hens with the feed. The lutein and zeaxanthin contents of eggs were determined using high performance liquid chromatography (see the analytical method for "Carotene" in "Analytical Methods for Nutritional Components, etc." in the appendix to "Food Labeling Standards" (Notice of the Deputy Director-General of the Consumer Affairs Agency, No. 139, dated March 30, 2015)). The lutein and zeaxanthin contents of eggs were calculated as the average values ​​of multiple eggs of the same size collected on the same egg collection day. Egg sizes were classified as medium size (58-64g), LM size (61-67g), and large size (64-70g).

[0042] The layer diet provided to the test hens was prepared by mixing a basic diet with additives containing ingredients containing lutein and zeaxanthin and ingredients containing xylanase. The basic feed used was a feed mainly composed of corn (product name: Progress, manufactured by Nichiwa Sangyo Co., Ltd.). Of the additive feed, the raw material containing lutein was a marigold petal extract (seller: ED Nutrition Japan Co., Ltd., product name: Summer Call 40B, lutein content 34.0 g / kg). Of the additive feeds, the raw material containing xylanase was a product containing xylanase as the main component (manufactured by Huvepharm Japan, trade name: Hostazyme X (registered trademark), xylanase content 15,000 EPU / g).

[0043] Laying hens were fed several egg-laying hen feeds (Feed A, Alan 18, Alan 18α, Alan 19, Alan 19α) containing the above-mentioned basic feed, marigold petal extract, and Hostazyme X in the following ratios, and the lutein and zeaxanthin contents of the eggs laid under each condition were confirmed. The ratios of basic feed, Summercol, and Hostazyme X in each egg-laying hen feed are as follows:

[0044] In Example 1, feed A was provided, in Example 2, Alan 18α, in Examples 3 and 4, Alan 19, and in Examples 5 to 10, Alan 19α.

[0045] <Feed A> Feed A was prepared by mixing 4.5 kg of Summercol and 100 g of HostazymeX (registered trademark) per ton of layer feed. That is, Feed A was prepared by mixing Summercol and HostazymeX so that the amount of lutein per 1 kg of layer feed was 153 mg and the amount of xylanase per 1 kg of layer feed was 1500 EPU.

[0046] <Aran 18α> Alan 18α ​​was prepared by mixing 4.95 kg of Summercol and 100 g of HostazymeX (registered trademark) per 1 t of layer feed. That is, Alan 18α ​​was prepared by mixing Summercol and HostazymeX so that the amount of lutein per 1 kg of layer feed was 168.3 mg and the amount of xylanase per 1 kg of layer feed was 1500 EPU. Alan 18α ​​was prepared so that the protein ratio in the layer feed was 18 to 18.3%.

[0047] <Aran19> Alan 19 was prepared by mixing 4.5 kg of Summercol and 100 g of HostazymeX (registered trademark) per 1 t of layer feed. That is, Alan 19 was prepared by mixing Summercol and HostazymeX so that the amount of lutein per 1 kg of layer feed was 153 mg and the amount of xylanase per 1 kg of layer feed was 1500 EPU. Alan 19 was prepared so that the protein ratio in the layer feed was 19 to 19.3%.

[0048] <Aran 19α> Alan 19α was prepared by mixing 4.95 kg of Summercol and 100 g of HostazymeX (registered trademark) per 1 t of layer feed. That is, Alan 19α was prepared by mixing Summercol and HostazymeX so that the amount of lutein per 1 kg of layer feed was 168.3 mg and the amount of xylanase per 1 kg of layer feed was 1500 EPU. Alan 19α was prepared so that the protein ratio in the layer feed was 19 to 19.3%.

[0049] In Comparative Example 1, the test chickens were raised in the same manner as in the Examples, except that the feed was the basic feed only (Progress only). In Comparative Example 2, the test chickens were raised in the same manner as in the Example, except that the feed was the basic feed only (Progress only).

[0050] The test results are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, it was confirmed that the experiments of Examples 1 to 7 enabled the production of eggs containing lutein at a higher concentration than in Comparative Example 1. As shown in Figure 1, it was confirmed that the lutein content of the high lutein-containing eggs of the present invention was a minimum of 2.81 mg / 100 mg edible part and a maximum of 3.39 mg / 100 mg edible part. Moreover, although there was variation depending on the egg collection season and average egg weight, it was confirmed that the lutein content of eggs collected at the same time (i.e., eggs of the same Example) was 1.59 mg or more per egg on average. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the average egg weight (weight including shell) of the eggs used in the experiments of Examples 1 to 7 is 60g or more, and the lutein content per egg of the eggs used in the experiments of Examples 1 to 7 is 1.79mg in average value conversion. In other words, the lutein content per egg of the high lutein content of the present invention having an egg weight (weight including shell) of 60g or more can be estimated to be 1.79mg in average value conversion. Therefore, it can be estimated that by eating three high lutein content eggs of the present invention per day, 5mg of lutein, which is 50% of the daily intake of 10mg, which is expected to increase pigmentation in the macular macula, can be easily ingested.

[0052] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the experiment of Example 8 confirmed that eggs containing a higher concentration of zeaxanthin (0.41 mg or more in average value converted to 100 mg edible portion, 0.24 mg or more in average value converted to per egg) could be produced compared to Comparative Example 2.

[0053] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the experiments in Examples 9 and 10 confirmed that eggs could be produced with an average lutein content of 1.90 mg or more and an average zeaxanthin content of 0.22 mg per egg. In other words, it was confirmed that eggs containing high concentrations of both lutein and zeaxanthin could be produced.

[0054] <Evaluation of egg yolk color> Next, for the eggs of Example 11, the color of the egg yolk of the sample was evaluated. In Example 11, the same feed (feed A) as in Example 1 was used.

[0055] Measurement equipment: CR-400 / DP-400 (Konica Minolta, CR is the color difference meter, DP is the data processor model number). In the evaluation, the L value indicates brightness, with black being 0 and white being 100, the a value indicates redness, with the higher the value the stronger the redness, and the b value indicates yellowness, with the higher the value the stronger the yellowness.

[0056] The measurement method using whole eggs is as follows. The sample eggs were cracked and placed one by one into a plastic cup, with the chalazion still attached, and then lightly mixed with a glass rod and stirred with a Polytron (15,000 rpm, 30 seconds). 16g to 17g of the stirred sample was placed in an aluminum cup (size 6) (about 2 / 3 of the aluminum cup) and the bubbles on the surface were removed. The liquid level after the bubbles were removed was measured at one point with a color difference meter (the table shows the measurement results for raw eggs). Next, after heating at 100°C for 30 minutes, the aluminum cup was removed and the cross section of the heated item cut horizontally to the baking surface was measured at one point using a color difference meter (the table shows the measurement results for the heated egg).

[0057] The measurement method using only egg yolk is as follows. The egg yolk liquid was separated from the test eggs and each separated egg yolk was placed into an aluminum cup (size 6). The mixture was thoroughly stirred in the aluminum cup with a glass rod to remove any bubbles on the surface. The liquid level after the bubbles were removed was then measured at one point with a colorimeter (the table shows the measurement results for raw eggs). Next, after heating at 100°C for 30 minutes, the aluminum cup was removed and the cross section of the heated item cut horizontally to the baking surface was measured at one point using a color difference meter (the table shows the measurement results for the heated egg).

[0058] The results are shown in Figure 4. 4, the whole eggs of the present invention, which are high in lutein, were significantly yellower and more vivid in appearance than the comparative example, both for raw eggs and heated eggs. In particular, the yellowness (b value) of heated eggs was significantly higher than that of the comparative example, showing a significant difference of about twice as much. Furthermore, in the measurement of only the egg yolk of the high lutein-containing eggs of the present invention, the raw eggs gave the impression of being slightly reddish, but the heated eggs were significantly more yellowish and appeared more vivid than the comparative example.

[0059] From the above results, it was confirmed that the transfer of lutein to eggs can be appropriately promoted by continuously feeding the egg-laying hens with the egg-laying hens feed of the present invention using the method for producing eggs with high lutein content of the present invention. It was also confirmed that the concentration of lutein contained in the eggs with high lutein content of the present invention produced by the method for producing eggs with high lutein content of the present invention can be increased to a value of 2.9 mg or more per 100 g of edible portion, which could not be achieved by conventional techniques. Therefore, the high lutein content eggs of the present invention are suitable as a food for ingesting lutein, and eating about three eggs weighing about 60 g or more per day is expected to prevent the risk of eye diseases. [Industrial Applicability]

[0060] The feed for layers and the method for producing eggs with high lutein content of the present invention are suitable for producing the eggs with high lutein content of the present invention. Furthermore, the eggs with high lutein content of the present invention are suitable as a food for ingesting lutein.

Claims

1. The lutein content is 2 mg or more per 100 g of edible portion of the egg. Eggs with high lutein content.

2. The lutein content is 2.8 mg or more per 100 g of edible portion of the egg.

2. The lutein-rich egg according to claim 1 .

3. The lutein content is 3.0 mg or more per 100 g of edible portion of the egg.

3. The lutein-rich egg according to claim 2.

4. The zeaxanthin content is 0.35 mg or more per 100 g of edible portion of the egg.

2. The lutein-rich egg according to claim 1 .

5. The zeaxanthin content is 0.38 mg or more per 100 g of edible portion of the egg.

2. The lutein-rich egg according to claim 1 .

6. The high lutein content eggs according to claims 1 to 5 are processed.

2. The processed food material according to claim 1.

7. The edible portion of the high lutein-containing egg according to claims 1 to 5 is frozen.

7. The processed food material according to claim 6.

8. The eggs are the b value of the egg yolk measured using a colorimeter after heating at 100° C. for 30 minutes is at least twice the b value of the egg yolk measured using the colorimeter before heating; The b value of the egg yolk before heating, measured using a color difference meter, is This is the value measured using a colorimeter to measure the liquid level after stirring the egg yolk separated from the egg in a container. The b value of the heated egg yolk measured using a color difference meter is This is the value measured using a color difference meter on the cross section of a heated egg yolk taken out of the container after heating.

2. The lutein-rich egg according to claim 1 .

9. Obtained from chickens continuously fed a diet containing 100 mg or more of lutein and 1,000 EPU or more of xylanase per kg of feed. A method for producing eggs with high lutein content.

10. Contains 100 mg or more of lutein and 1,000 EPU or more of xylanase per kg of feed. A feed for laying hens characterized by the above.