Biofortified Orange Maize Enhances -Cryptoxanthin Concentrations in Egg Yolks of Laying Hens Better than Tangerine Peel Fortificant

The xanthophyll beta-cryptoxanthin provides vitamin A and has other purported health benefits. Laying hens deposit xanthophyll carotenoids into egg yolk. Hens (n = 8/group) were fed conventional-bred high beta-cryptoxanthin biofortified (orange) maize, tangerine peel-fortified white maize, lutein-fortified yellow maize, or white maize for 40 d to investigate yolk color changes using L*a*b* scales, yolk carotenoid enhancement, and hen vitamin A status. Yolks from hens fed orange maize had scores indicating a darker, orange color and mean higher beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene concentrations (8.43 +/- 1.82, 23.1 +/- 4.8, 0.16 +/- 0.08 nmol/g, respectively) than other treatments (P < 0.0001). Yolk retinol concentrations (mean: 14.4 +/- 3.42 nmol/g) were similar among groups and decreased with time (P < 0.0001). Hens fed orange maize had higher liver retinol (0.53 +/- 0.20 mu mol/g liver) than other groups (P < 0.0001). beta-Cryptoxanthin-biofortified eggs could be another choice for consumers, providing enhanced color through a provitamin A carotenoid and supporting eggs' status as a functional food.