Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Rrissur, Kerala, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode, Wayanad, India
*Corresponding author: PS Megha; E-mail: meghaps7@gmail.com
Online Published on 3 October, 2022.
The market demand for designer eggs has been increased in the recent past. In the present study, chicken eggs were enriched with vitamin D3 by UVB exposure @ 3 h/day. The trial was commenced from 29 weeks of age and conducted for 12 weeks on thirty-two number of crossbred layer birds (White Leghorn N strain and Desi). The vitamin D3 concentration in egg was significantly higher (p<0.01) in the treated group compared to the control group. The vitamin D3 concentration in eggs of UVB light exposed birds was 72.34±1.55 µg/10 g egg yolk and it was significantly higher compared to untreated group (17.92±1.98 µg/10 g egg yolk). These results clearly indicated an enriching influence of UVB radiation on the concentration of vitamin D3 in eggs and therefore recommend an easy, cheap and safe procedure for producing designer eggs.
• The chicken eggs were enriched with vitamin D3 by UVB exposure @ 3 h/day.
• Ultra Violet Blue (UVB) light exposure would be a better and cheaper choice for enhancing vitamin D3 content of eggs and to produce designer eggs enriched with vitamin D3.
Designer eggs, Ultra violet blue light, Vitamin D3
