Fucoxanthin promotes the conversion efficiency of alpha-linolenic acid in feeding to docosahexaenoic acid in quail egg yolk

The conversion of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) in feed to DHA in egg is inefficient, so there is a critical need for feed additives that can enhance the enrichment of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in egg yolk from ALA-rich feed. The present study evaluated the impact of dietary fucoxanthin on the conversion efficiency of ALA in feed to DHA in quail egg yolk. Results showed that the addition of 0.02 % fucoxanthin to the diet supplemented with 0.5 % ALA significantly enhanced the DHA conversion rate by 51.48 % and increased DHA content by 32.82 %, matching levels observed with 1 % ALA supplementation during the peak laying period. Importantly, fucoxanthin did not alter the proportion of phospholipid-bound DHA. These findings suggest that fucoxanthin, as a feed additive, has the potential to promote the accumulation of DHA in avian eggs when supplemented with ALA in feed.