Influence of Feeding β-Cyclodextrin to Laying Hens on the Egg Production and Cholesterol Content of Egg Yolk

The main objective of the present study was to determine the effect of dietary β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on egg laying performance and cholesterol content of egg yolk.Feed intake, egg production and egg weight varied slightly, but not significantly, between hens fed either a control diet or a diet containing one of an increasing series of β-CD concentrations (2%, 4% or 6%).However, feed intake, egg production and egg weight were all lower in the hens fed on 8% β-CD (p<0.05).No difference in haugh unit values, egg yolk color and egg shell thickness were found between the different treatments.The cholesterol content of egg yolks (mg/g yolk) was significantly decreased by 0.71, 2.98, 4.00 and 4.24 mg in eggs from hens maintained on 2%, 4%, 6% and 8% β-CD, respectively (p<0.05).These observations indicate that appropriate supplementation of diets with β-CD can reduce the cholesterol content of eggyolks, thus raising the prospect of the production of a healthier functional food.(Asian-Aust.