LIPID PROFILE AND PROXIMATE COMPOSITIONS OF EGGS FROM EXOTIC AND INDIGENOUS BREEDS OF CHICKEN IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate the proximate compositions and lipid profile of eggs in three strains of laying hens (Heavy local chicken ecotype, SHC; ISA brown commercial laying chicken, IBC; light local chicken ecotype, LLC). Ninety eggs comprising of 30 eggs each from the various chicken strains and representing each treatment group (SHC, IBC, and LLC) were procured and used for the study in a completely randomized design. Each group was replicated thrice with 10 eggs each. Three eggs per replicate were randomly selected and taken to the laboratory for proximate analysis and lipid profile studies. Results of analysis showed that eggs in the IBC group had the highest levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), and low density lipoproteins(LDL) (139.67, 162.67, and 80.01 , respectively) the least levels of TC, TG, and LDL were observed in the LLC group. High density lipoproteins(HDL) were highest in the SHC and LLC groups. Also, the results of the proximate compositions
revealed that percentage ash levels did not vary across the groups. The SHC group had the highest crude protein level with the least values observed in the IBC group. Fat and moisture levels were highest in the LLC and IBC groups, respectively. From the study, we concluded that the eggs from the SHC had the highest levels of HDL and CP, while the LLC group had the least TC, TG and LDL levels. Therefore, we recommend eggs from local chicken types for consumption by individuals with nutritional and health concerns.