Colour and viscosity of egg yolk after addition of beetroot to feed for laying hens

The colour and viscosity of egg yolk are among major indicators assessed by consumers and food technology. This study attempts to evaluate the colour and viscosity of yolk in laying hens' eggs after the addition of dried beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. esculenta var. rubra) at the amount of 1% and 2% per feeding dose (in July and August 2012). The experiment was performed on 24 hens that were divided into three groups of 8 laying hens. The preparatory phase lasted one week (standard diet), followed by four weeks during which experimental layers received a diet enriched with beetroot. Then, all layers were fed a mixture without beetroot for the following four weeks. Eggs were collected during the whole period of 8 weeks. In total, 30 eggs from each group were subjected to analysis. The colour of eggs was determined using spectrophotometry, by the Colour-guide sphere spex portable colorimeter. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in value L* of yolk colour in experimental groups whereas values a* and b* (indicators of the international colorimetric scale CIELAB) did not vary significantly. Similarly, specific purity C-ab* did not show a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the control and experimental groups. The egg yolk viscosity was lower in experimental groups compared to the control group but the difference was not significant. The addition of dried beetroot at the amount of 1 and 2% per feeding dose had no effect on colour and viscosity. This paper supported the null hypothesis that the addition of dried beetroot to the feeding dose at the amount of 1% and 2% has no effect on the colour and viscosity of egg yolk.