1. Jfuas No.2 December 2013
Comparing the Physical and Chemical Characteristics of
Guinea Fowl Eggs (Numida meleagris meleagris.L) Eggs and
Domestic hen (Gallus gallus domesticus)
Sami Ahmed Arabi
Faculty of Environmental Science and Natural Resources - University of Al- Fashir
P.O Box 125-AlFashir Sudan, E-mail samiarabi@ymail.com
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Abstract:
The study is aimed to determine the physical and chemical
characteristics internal and external of eggs of guinea fowl (Numida
meleagris meleagris. L) In comparison to that of the breeding
Indigenous chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus). A total number of 240
eggs of tufted guinea fowl and the same number for Indigenous
chicken, eggs were collected in respective from Blue Nile State and
Omdurman market. The values means of egg weight, egg width, egg
length, and shell thickness, egg volume, surface area, specific gravity,
Shape index, yolk color, albumen height, Hugh unit, shell thickness,
shell weight, the Internal characteristic yolk moisture % calcium and
phosphorus% mounts in ash of yolk, protein% ether extracts% and
carbohydrate% record high significant levels (p0.05) in guinea fowl
than indigenous chicks eggs.
8. Jfuas No.2 December 2013
Egg length, eggs width, yolk height, albumen width, albumen
height, yolk width, the albumin ash, moisture %and shell moisture%
protein% in indigenous chicks the values were significant (p0.05)
higher than in guinea fowl. Yolk weight, yolk length, Albumen
weight, yolk index, calcium mounts in albumin ash and shell ash in
indigenous chicks the values were significant (p0.05) higher than in
guinea fowl eggs.
According to the results obtained, all external and internal quality
traits of eggs were influenced significantly, may be due to feeding
pattern, or contribute to the efforts of genetic or the trend of increased
solids content of shell of egg.
Key words: indigenous chicks, yolk color, shell thickness, Hugh
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unit, guinea fowl
INTRODUCTION
The tufted guinea fowl is a resident game bird in the Sudan
inhabiting area of low rain fall savanna. Mohammad (1994) stated that
tufted guinea fowl is found in almost all the demonstrative units of the
Sudan with the exception of the Northern Sudan. The results of Wu et
al. (2005) showed that there was no interaction between chicken and
dietary energy on egg weight. Shell et al. (1987) suggested that the
increase of egg weight was mainly due to increased yolk weight. Song
et al. (2000) cited that albumin was high in moisture and yolk showed
low level of moisture. Olawumi and Ogunlade (2008) observed that
the haugh unit and albumen height depending on the change in the egg
weight, egg width and length. Lourens et al. (2006) documented that
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the total energy content in both albumen and yolk of small eggs was
less than in large eggs. Ozcelc (2002) reported that the egg weight
value are more appropriate in determining the shell quality because
the shell thickness and shell weight are measured after breaking of the
egg and took time to make such measurement. Olawumi and
Ogunlade (2008) the result of phenotypic correlation determined
between the internal and external quality traits of egg indicated that
there was an increase in egg weight and decease in yolk ratio and there
was statistically significant increase in other traits(p0.05) except for
albumen height and haugh unit. Kul and Seker(2004)reported that 7-
8% the total number of egg in broken throughout the transfer of the
egg from the breeders to consumers and that the amount of cracked
and broken eggs resulted in serious economic problem both for the
breeders and the dealers. Carlyle (1992) investigated that the
relationship between egg size and breakage must be aware of the
influence of the method of gathering the eggs. This study to
determinate internal and external of guinea fowl eggs physical and
chemical characteristics (Numida meleagris meleagris) compare to
Indigenous chickens.
METERIAL AND METHOD
This experiment was conducted to study the quality of eggs produced
by guinea fowl or domestic farmer.A total of 240 eggs were collected for
each breed. They were stored for one-day in the hatchery cooler at 15°C
and 70% RH. The following morning, eggs were taken from the cooler,
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10. Jfuas No.2 December 2013
allowed to warm to room temperature, and reweighed before specific
gravity was measured. Carlyle (1992) Average specific gravity for a sample
of eggs can be predicted by floating eggs in a single salt solution with a
specific gravity of 1.080 the determination of specific gravity according to
the method of Hamilton (1982) was used to determine specific gravity with
a range of salt solutions from 1.064 to 1.110, with increments of 0.002.
Eggs were then rinsed in cool water and broken open to determine yolk and
albumen characteristics of the eggs.
Total eggs of the trial were weighted using a sensitive electronic scale.
After weighting, each egg was broken with a sharp knife and gently emptied
into a petri dish. Using Venire Caliper, yolk height and diameter, albumen
height and diameter as well as shell thickness were measured as described
by Panda et al. (2003) Shell weight (SW) was determined according to
equation Harms et al. (1990): SW=2.0341(egg weight)-2.1014(egg
weight)/egg Specific gravity. The equation of Muller and Scott (1940) was
used to estimate the Surface area (SA): S A =4.67 egg weight. The egg
width/egg length×100 as reported by Salama (1984) was used to determine
the Shape index (SI) of experimental eggWith regards to the Internal
characteristics yolk color was determined according to Roch fan Yolk.
Similarly, the method of Esien et al. (1962) was adopted to calculate the
Haugh unit (H U) .
Albumin index (AI) on the other hand was determined according to
equation of Heiman and Carver (1936) which states:
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, Where: h= albumin height ; and = egg
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weight
Lastly A.O.A.C (1980) was applied to analyze the chemical
constituents of experimental eggs.
Statistical analysis: all weights and measurements taken were
subject to student t test according to (Snedecor and Cochran, 1980) the
levels of significant P 0.05.
RESULTS AND DISCUSIONS
The results of external physical characteristics of eggs (specific
gravity, shell index (SI), width, length, surface area and volume)
obtained from experimental birds were shown in Table 1. Table I
shows significant differences for all parameters tested except for egg
width and length. The significant differences in guinea fowl eggs in
external characteristics may due to the genotype. These results agree
with Cunningham et al. (1960) who documented that shell shape and
egg weight were depended on heredity, age of birds, season of year
and diets. This result is in agreement with Song et al. (2000) who
found that the shape index of guinea fowl of 77.30-79.63. Shape
index of guinea fowl was higher than the egg of indigenous hens this
observation is in agreement with the studies of Abiola. (1997) who
reported that guinea fowl eggs had the highest egg shape index and
protein content compared to domestic fowl eggs. Choi et al. (1983)
reported that egg weight has a direct relation with the eggshell quality
which has a positive correlation with shell thickness and shell weight.
The higher specific gravity of guinea fowl eggs may be due to shell
12. Jfuas No.2 December 2013
thickness variation, those results is in agreement with William and
Cottrell (1977) and Mack (1984) who reported that there was
significant difference in shell thickness of guinea egg than the
indigenous chick eggs, this result in agreement with those obtained by
Julius et al. (1983) and Ayorinde (1987).
The results of internal physical characteristics of eggs were shown
in Table 2. Mean values of overall parameters were lower in guinea
fowl eggs except Hugh unit and shell thickness, shell weight and Yolk
colour which were higher than those in indigenous birds.
This observation is in agreement with the studies of (Mahapatra et
al. 1987; Song et al. 2000; Nahashon et al. 2007) they reported that
guinea fowl eggs shell thickness was thicker than of those chicken
eggs. Also this observation is in agreement with the studies of
Ayorinde (1987) found that the guinea fowl eggs tended to have a
higher percentage of shell weight than the domestic fowl. Janda
(1978) exhibited that shell thickness average is of 0.336 mm for fowl
eggs yolk. Danilova and Shipts (1974) reported that shell percentage
and shell breaking strength of guinea fowl were higher when
compared to that of White Leghorn. Likewise, the finding of Simon
(1974) revealed that guinea fowl shells were stronger and thicker than
those of domestic fowl. Hussein and Harms (1994) revealed that
eggs from broiler breeder hens demonstrate a larger Yolk and
Albumen ratio. Also this observation is in agreement with the studies
of Ayorinde (1987) found that domestic fowl had a better yolk index
than guinea fowl. Also this observation is in agreement with the
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studies of Mahapatra et al. (1987) who showed that guinea fowl eggs
were higher in yolk color score.
The chemical composition of eggs is presented in Table. 3. Mean
values of overall parameters were higher in guinea fowl eggs except
moisture and ash which were similar in both birds, This observation is
in agreement with the studies of Song et al. (2000) showed that the
content of moisture, and crude ash of whole egg had no statistical
difference. Also this observation is in agreement with the studies of
Ayorinde (1987) who showed that significant differences in protein
content guinea fowl eggs than those of indigenous fowl on. And also
is in agreement with the studies of Abiola (1997) reported that guinea
fowl eggs had the highest egg protein content compared to domestic
fowl eggs. Also this observation is in agreement with the studies of
Ayorinde (1987) who showed that no significant differences in eggs of
domestic fowl and guinea fowl eggs on ash contents.
Phosphorous and ash analysis were shown in Table.4 Guinea fowl
eggs entities significantly (P 0.05), for all parameters were lower
except yolk ash.
Table 5 showed that egg yolks of guinea fowl recorded lower
values for all parameters of proximate analysis, except for moisture
and protein content.
Calcium analysis results obtained in Table 2 Calcium in
Indigenous chicken ash was higher in albumin and shell however, it
was lower in yolk.
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Analysis of shell chemical composition were shown in Table.7
for guinea fowl and indigenous chicken for shell the test in both were
guinea fowl shell was higher in E.E and ash% and recorded lower
values for moisture and CP content.
Table 1: Analysis of variance of external physical characteristics (mean
±SD) for guinea fowl and Indigenous chicken
Items Guinea fowl eggs Indigenous chicken eggs
width d(mm) 37.5196a±2.0038 37.131 a ±1.662
Length d(mm) 48.8625 a ±2.1484 48.898 a ±2.3994
Weight of eggs(g) 39.5619 a ±3.4903 37.1312 b ±4.147
Volume(cm3 ) 36.3345 a ±3.7218 33.3804 b ±4.7737
Surface area(cm2 ) 35.3032 a ±2.9084 33.496 b ±3.4547
Specific gravity(g/cm2 1.2421 a ±0.0377 1.1584 b ±0.018
Shape index 76.786 a ±0.791 75.936 b ±1.647
Means in the same row bearing different superscripts differ significantly
(p0.05).
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Table 2: Analysis of variance of internal physical characteristics (mean
± SD) for guinea fowl and Indigenous chicken
Items Guinea fowl eggs Indigenous chicken eggs
Yolk weight (g) 11.672b±2.155 13.5333a ±9.173
Yolk weight% 29.54b ±0.0478 36.2a ±0.240
Yolk height (mm) 10.6946b ±5.334 12.4937a ±4.331
Yolk color 11.0893a ±2.003 5.2459b ±1.956
Yolk index 30.26b ±14.76 33.47a ±10.98
Yolk diameter (mm) 33.866b ±11.444 36.5206a ±8.720
Albumin weight (g) 19.4285a ±3.434 19.0034a ±2.953
Albumin weight (%) 49.14a ±7.420 50.84b ±5.608
Hugh unit 93.247a ±15.744 91.818b ±6.417
Shell thickness (mm) 0.5154a ±0.069 0.4969b ±0.073
Shell weight (%) 18.51a ±0.031 11.93b ±0.0163
Shell weight (g) 7.313a ±1.406 4.4621b ±0.764
Means in the same row bearing different superscripts differ significantly
(p0.05).
Table 3: Chemical composition of albumin of eggs of guinea fowl and
Indigenous chicken (%)
Items Guinea fowl eggs Indigenous chicken eggs
Moisture % 86.44a ± 1.813 86.44a ±0.51
Crude Protein% 12.57a ±0.544 11.70b ±1.124
Ether extract% 0.05a ±0.096 0.03b ±0.096
Ash% 0.92a ±0.050 0.92a ±0.050
Carbohydrate% 1a ±0.058 0.90b ±0.058
Means in the same row bearing different superscripts differ significantly
(p0.05).
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Table 4: Phosphorous content of eggs of guinea fowl and Indigenous
chicken eggs (%)
Items Guinea fowl eggs Indigenous chicken eggs
Yolk 3.4a ±1.142 1.35b ±1.142
Albumin 1.6 0b ±0.57 2.80a ±0.57
Shell 1.03b ± 0.08 1.20a ±0.08
Means in the same row bearing different superscripts differ significantly
(p0.05).
Table 5: Chemical composition of eggs of guinea fowl and Indigenous
chicken (%)
Items Guinea fowl eggs Indigenous chicken eggs
Moisture % 51.15a ±0.51 50.72b ±0.51
Crude Protein% 16.70a ±1.126 14.83b ±0.51
Ether extract% 28.24b ±1.33 29.40a ±1.33
Ash% 3.00b ±1.49 4.00a ±1.49
Carbohydrate% 0.90b ±4.62 1.00a ±4.62
Means in the same row bearing different superscripts differ significantly
(p0.05).
Table 6: Calcium ash of eggs of guinea fowl and Indigenous chicken
eggs (%)
Items Guinea fowl eggs Indigenous chicken eggs
Yolk 0.35a ±0.04 0.25b ± 0.04
Albumin 0.10b ±0.08 0.30a ±0.08
Shell 13.75b ±1.181 16.35a ±1.81
Means in the same row bearing different superscripts differ significantly
(p0.05).
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Table 7: Chemical composition of Shell eggs of guinea fowl and
Indigenous chicken (%)
Items Guinea fowl eggs Indigenous chicken eggs
Moisture % 6.50b ±1.19 8.50a ±0.058
Crude Protein% 3.50b ±0.966 5.25a ±0.096
Ether extract% 0.90a ±2.89 0.89b ±0.050
Ash% 90.00a ±1.64 86.20b ±1.813
Means in the same row bearing different superscripts differ significantly
(p0.05).
Conclusion
The study showed that there were significant differences in all
external characteristics of eggs except for width and length in guinea
fowl eggs.
The mean values in all internal characteristics were low in guinea
fowl eggs except Hugh unit and shell thickness, shell weight and Yolk
color which were higher than those in indigenous birds.
The mean values of chemicals analysis were higher in guinea fowl
eggs except moisture and ash which were similar in both birds.
According to the results obtained, all external and internal quality
traits of eggs were influenced significantly, may be by feeding pattern,
contributing efforts of genetic or the trend of increasing solids content
on shell of egg.
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