Enrichment of quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) egg yolks with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids by euphorbia (Euphorbia heterophylla) seeds

Abstract

The feeding of quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in farms<em> of Cote d’Ivoire is mainly based on the commercial feed for laying hens. However, this practice could affect the nutritional quality of eggs. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of this diet (used as control), or its supplementation with 5% euphorbia (Euphorbia heterophylla) seeds (D5 diet) on the fatty acid profile of egg yolks of 30 quails of 172 ± 2 g for 15 days. The results showed that the D5 diet did not affect saturated fatty acids, mono-unsaturated fatty acids, and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA n-6) (p > 0.05). However, it improved omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA n-3) contents (p < 0.05) which were five times higher than those of the control diet. The proportions of C18:3 n-3, C20:5 n-3 and C22:6 n-3 fatty acids in the yolks of D5 eggs were multiplied by 17, 11 and 3, respectively. In addition, the ratio of PUFA n-6 / PUFA n-3 was less than 4. Thus, the incorporation of 5% euphorbia seeds into the commercial feed of laying hens improved the nutritional quality of quail eggs.