Carotenoid absorption in chicken intestine

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Animal Nutrition
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Marigold (Tagetes erecta) flowers are a cost-effective source of carotenoids in poultry feed.
• Lutein, a primary carotenoid in marigold, comprises 85-90% of its carotenoid content.
• Plant lutein is typically found esterified to fatty acids like palmitic or stearic acid.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the absorption and metabolic fate of lutein from marigold in chickens.
• To understand how esterified lutein from plant sources is processed in the avian digestive system.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of lutein ester hydrolysis in the chicken small intestine.
• Quantification of free lutein absorption post-ingestion.
• Examination of lutein re-esterification in various chicken tissues.

Main Results:

• Hydrolysis of lutein esters occurs in the initial section of the chicken small intestine.
• Lutein is absorbed into the chicken system as a free form, not as an ester.
• Following absorption, free lutein is not re-esterified within different chicken tissues.

Conclusions:

• Chickens efficiently hydrolyze and absorb lutein from marigold sources as a free compound.
• The metabolic pathway in chickens results in free lutein circulating in tissues, without subsequent esterification.
• This understanding is crucial for optimizing carotenoid utilization in poultry nutrition.