Recently, studies have showed that omega-3 fatty acids (α-linolenic acid, Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) have beneficial effects on health disease, cancer, diabetes, brain development, improving body resistance.
It is notified that total omega-3 consumption in the USA is 1.6 g, in which 1.2 mg is α-linolenic acid and 0.1-0.2 mg is EPA. Also for healthy diet, the balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are important. It is suggested that 5% of the energy consumption should be taken from omega-6 and 1% of the energy consumption should be supported from omega-3 fatty acids.
Among the omega-3 fatty acids, α-linolenic acid is an essential one, though EPA and DHA are synthesized via desaturation of α-linolenic acid in human body.
Recent years, there have been several studies about enrichment of animal foods with omega-3. The most popular animal foods for this aim are egg and poultry. Because fatty acid that are taken from poultry are stored with very little change. Nowadays, the only animal product that enriched with omega-3 is egg in the market.
Commercial eggs are rich in omega-6 fatty acids but not omega-3 fatty acids. It is possible to enriched this aggs with omega-3 fatty acids by adding nutrition that are rich in omega-3 in poultry feed. There are two ways; one is adding α-linolenic acid sources such as linseed/oil, cole seed/oil in feed and human body synthesize DHA himself when consume egg. The other way is adding DHA sources directly. DHA is found especially in cold water fishes and it is suggested to add fish flour or oil in feed. DHA is an important fatty acid that has a big role in brain and retina development.
Studies showed that when 3% fish oil is added in feed, an egg includes more than 200 mg omega-3 fatty acids. Adding more than %10 linseed in feed cause change of egg flavor and aroma.
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