FOOD. Science. Technology. Quality

Food. SCIENCE. Technology. Quality

Food. Science. TECHNOLOGY. Quality

Food. Science. Technology. QUALITY

Authors

EWELINA SIEPKA, ŁUKASZ BOBAK, WITOLD GŁADKOWSKI

Title

Characteristics of biological activity of phospholipids in egg yolk

Abstract

Eggs are a source of valuable nutrients that are characterized by a high degree of bioavailability. Lipids constitute ca. 60 % of the dry matter content in egg yolk and consist of 62 % of triglycerides, 33 % of phospholipids; the amount of cholesterol therein is less than 5 %. The profile of fatty acids in the phospholipid fraction shows a higher degree of unsaturation compared to the triacylglycerol fraction. In addition, phospholipids, which are components of cell membranes, have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system; they decrease the cholesterol level, reduce the synthesis of triacylglycerols, inhibit the platelet aggregation, and lower the blood pressure. The intake of phosphatidylcholine helps increase the level of choline in the plasma and brain as well as accelerate neuronal synthesis of acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter. Also, the designed eggs laid by hens fed fodder mixtures enriched with marine algae oil and linseed oil are a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids including n-3 fatty acids (ALA, EPA, DHA) and n-6 fatty acids (LA, ARA).

Keywords

eggs, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phospholipids, lecithin

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