Rahul Maskare1, Pranit Mankhair2,Harshal Rahangdale3,Rutik Pawar4, Sunil Renge4, Krushnakant phophale4, Akash Wadal5
People have become aware of food-health links in recent decades. Food is functional if it improves human health in addition to providing nutrition. It must improve health and/or reduce disease risk. Functional foods should have extra nutrients that provide health advantages beyond nutrition. Functional foods are part of a healthy diet and may improve health or lower illness risk. Functional food may contain vitamins, omega-3s, or antioxidants. Eggs are popular worldwide due to their high nutritious content, low cost, and versatility in cooking. Humans need all necessary amino acids, and chicken eggs provide retinol, riboflavin, folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, choline, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. However, health-conscious people are mostly lacking in essential fatty acids (EFA) and high in PUFA, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. High intakes of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) improve newborn health and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke, according to research. Omega-3s help boost brain growth, reduce heart attack risk, improve tissue oxygen delivery, and support rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory illnesses, and other ailments. Several attempts were made to change eggs by adding healthy substances or removing detrimental ones to reduce chronic diseases. This modification created a functional egg. Dietary supplements, herbs, and medications with therapeutic effects can be used to create eggs. Designer egg expands the health benefits of functional meals.
NORMAL EGG COMPOSITION
Typically, egg has 74% water, 13% protein, 11% fat, 1% carbs, and a small amount of additional nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, and carotenoids. About 9–12% of an egg is shell, 60% is albumen, and 30–33% is yolk. Approximately 33% of the yolk is lipid, with 63.3% being triacylglycerols, 29.7% being phospholipids (including 73% phosphatidylcholine and 15% phosphatidylethanolamine), and 5.2% being total cholesterol.
| EGG COMPONENT | Amount |
| MOISTURE | 76.15g |
| PROTEIN | 12.56g |
| TOTAL LIPID | 9.51g |
| CARBOHYDRATE | 0.72g |
| CHOLESTEROL | 372mg |
| CALCIUM | 56mg |
| CALORIE | 143kcal |
USDA National Nutrient Database for standard reference, release 23 (2010)
HEALTH BENEFITS OF CHICKEN EGG
Eggs have many health benefits, including:
Strong Muscles: Egg protein keeps muscles working and slows their loss. Vitamins and minerals in eggs support cell function, including the brain, neurological system, memory, and metabolism. Good energy production: Eggs include all the vitamins and minerals needed to produce energy in all cells.
Immune health: Vitamin A, B12, and selenium are essential. Lower heart disease risk: Choline breaks down homocysteine, which causes heart disease.
Healthy pregnancy: Egg nutrients prevent congenital defects. blindness. Other vitamins improve vision.
Weight loss and maintenance: Eggs’ high protein content may keep people full and energized. Filling up minimizes snacking and calorie intake. Eggs include vitamins and minerals that support healthy skin and prevent tissue degradation. Strong immune systems also improve appearance. Only a balanced diet can reap the health benefits of eggs.
CONCEPT OF DESIGNER EGG
According to Bhat et al. (2013), “designer eggs” are defined as eggs whose content differs from the typical egg. According to Singh and Neelam (2010), eggs are a great way to include several healthful components. It is possible to alter the eggs’ cholesterol level, Essential fatty acids, vitamin E, vitamin D, folic acid, minerals (iron, zinc, selenium, iron, and chromium), carotenoids, lutein, and Enrichment with herbs. Because more and more people are looking for organic, natural ingredients in their diet, a new trend in chicken fortification is to add antioxidants from herbs to the feed.
WAYS TO PRODUCE DESIGNER EGGS
Changing the hen’s metabolism in a way that makes it produce chemicals that ultimately end up in the egg.
Modifying membrane transport properties to allow chemicals to enter the egg.
Changing the hen’s food such that the egg lays more of the target chemicals.
PHARMACEUTICAL ALTERATIONS
Thanks to recent developments in biotechnology, it is now possible to breed genetically engineered hens that lay eggs enriched with specific compounds, such as insulin, which can be used to treat diabetes.
Injecting a specific antigen into a hen’s body triggers antibody synthesis, which flows through her bloodstream and eventually concentrates in her egg. Collecting antibodies from her eggs is subsequently used in human healthcare.
DEMAND OF DESIGNER EGG
Humans rely on foods for more than just satiety; they also supply essential nutrients. The needs of consumers have evolved significantly during the past few decades. People think that the meals they eat have a direct impact on their health. Boost customers’ emotional and physical health. In industrialized nations, it raises the demand for functional meals. Developing nations also benefit greatly from the many export prospects it presents. There is more to food than just filling our bellies and supplying us with nutrients. The needs of consumers have evolved significantly during the past few decades. More and more people think that what they eat has a direct impact on their health. Boost customers’ emotional and physical health. Functional foods are becoming more popular in industrialized nations. Aids emerging nations by opening them lucrative export markets.
SALIENT FEATURES OF DESIGNER EGG
High vitamin content -Designer eggs can have more vitamins, especially A and E. Egg nutrient content varies with the hen’sdiet, however, hens may pass vitamins with varied efficiency. It is highest for vitamin A (60-80%), B12, riboflavin, biotin, pantothenic acid (40-50%), D3, and E (15-25%). Economic production of high-vitamin eggs should be prioritized.
High mineral content-As most minerals, especially calcium and phosphorus, reside in egg shells, changing the calcium and phosphorus levels of edible eggs (albumin and yolk) is challenging. Researchers have increased the micromineral content of these portions, especially selenium, iodine, zinc, copper, and chromium, through dietary supplementation. Eggs can replenish the iodine deficit in many underdeveloped nations, including India. Eggs with more selenium can be produced by feeding hens selenium yeast.
Change in color-Egg yolk color indicates pigment concentration and can vary with dietary supplements such as marigold, chili, maize, or spirulina. A recent study indicated that increased carotene intake reduced macular degeneration, a significant cause of elderly blindness.
Low cholesterol-An average egg has 200-220 mg of cholesterol. Many researchers have used genetics, nutrition, and medicine to lower chicken egg cholesterol. Adding less than 1 ppm of chromium to laying hen diets lowers egg cholesterol and improves egg quality. An all-vegetarian diet high in protein, fiber, and vitamin E produces low-cholesterol eggs.
Fat/fatty acid profile-Although changing the total fat level in poultry diets does not significantly affect egg total fat, it can vary in egg fatty acid profiles. High intakes of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) improve newborn health and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke, according to research. Safflower oil, marine algae, fish oil (Shimizu et al., 2001), fish meal, and vegetable oil in chicken feeds boost egg yolk omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for adults and children.
Omega-3s help boost brain growth, reduce heart attack risk, improve tissue oxygen delivery, and support rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory illnesses, and other ailments. High levels of this fatty acid improve egg quality and shelf life. Fed hens’ canola oil and eggs with a decreased saturated and unsaturated fatty acid ratio have been studied.
CONCLUSION
Designer eggs offer nutritional benefits and qualities not available in regular eggs. Designer egg expands the health benefits of functional meals. Adding seeds, oil, marine algae, vitamins, and minerals to the diet can cut cholesterol and increase β-3 fatty acid levels in eggs. Vitamin and mineral-enriched eggs include more micronutrients and antioxidants. Functional feeds and herbs boost egg appearance and nutrition. Generic shell eggs are a cheap, high-quality source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. Eggs can supply more than superb nourishment by feeding hens customized diets. Egg products with value can be sold to health-conscious consumers. Designer eggs with novel functions are in high demand, but commercial manufacturing is still lacking. Commercial production and commercialization of new-generation eggs and egg products require more research. More study is needed to improve designer egg quality, examine long-term impacts, and persuade consumers of their benefits.