Prediction of internal egg quality characteristics and variable selection using regularization methods: ridge, LASSO and elastic net

Objective: This study was conducted to predict egg weight, eggshell weight, shell thickness, eggshell surface area, egg shape index, egg yolk height, egg yolk diameter, egg yolk, egg yolk weight, albumen weight using various egg characteristics as independent variables. Materials and Methods: In this study, Lohmann Sandy eggs obtained from a commercial free range egg production enterprise in Ordu province were used. The eggs used in this study were collected at 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48 and 52 weeks of age and calculations were made using a total of 30 eggs in each of these weeks. During the research, an electronic scale sensitive to 0.01 g was used for weighing the eggs, a caliper sensitive to 0.01 mm was used for measuring egg length, width, and yolk diameter, a flat glass-covered table was used for breaking the eggs, a tripod micrometer sensitive to 0.01 mm was used for measuring yolk and albumen height, and a micrometer sensitive to 0.01 mm was used for measuring shell thickness. In the study, regression equations were developed using eggs obtained at 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, 48 and 52 weeks of age. Results: In the study, egg weight was significantly and positively correlated with egg length and egg width and the correlation values were 0.569 and 0.859 for egg length and egg width, respectively. At the same time, a high phenotypic correlation was found between egg weight and white weight (0.957) and a highly significant correlation was found between egg weight and yolk weight (0.610). A highly significant and positive correlation was found between albumen index and albumen height (0.893), while significant and negative correlation was found between albumen index and albumen width (-0.575). Conclusion: Based on the findings, the examined traits can serve as selection criteria for improving egg weight. Furthermore, the identified correlations between internal and external egg quality traits suggest that these parameters can be improved through selection.

Seasonal fluctuations of the physical and biochemical characteristics of three tomatoes, including two large-fruited and one cherry-fruited cultivars, were studied in seven different sowing time at an interval of 45 days. Seasonal variation were noted in the external and internal quality characteristics. The seasonal pattern of ripening exhibited a rapid first ripening during summer, followed by a progressive decline until the winter season. Fruits picked during early winter to spring had higher constituents compared to summer season. The fruits matured during the summer season showed higher accumulation of organic and ascorbic acid; but the crop duration was found to be shortened. On the other hand, the fruits matured during winter to spring season had higher firmness, soluble sugars and longer growing period. The lycopene synthesis was enhanced during spring to winter seasons. Of the climatic factors recorded, temperature is predominantly implicated in affecting tomato fruit quality. The results indicated that, firmness, total soluble solids and turning point of hue (arctan a*/b*) act as the indicators of fruit maturity, and breaker stage is more appropriate stage of harvesting in all the seasons studied. But regarding nutritional value and appearance, and for fresh consumption, pink stage of ripening is the best for harvesting. In the present study, although cropping season and growing temperature differed widely, but the cumulative temperature (°C day; from flowering to maturation) difference among growing seasons was small, and most suitable harvest period was found to be around 1000 °C day. Thus, for consumption, marketing and transportation, the fruits availing around 1000 °C days cumulative temperature are congenial to be harvested.

Egg quality could influence the price of the table and hatching eggs. However, the effects of hen’s live body weight on egg characteristics are poorly understood. The present study evaluated the influence of body weight (BW) on egg characteristics, such as egg width (EWD), shell weight (SW), egg length (EL), albumen weight (AW), yolk weight (YW), shell surface index (SI), albumen ratio (AR), shell ratio (SR), and yolk ratio (YR) of White Leghorn chicken. A total of 100 White Leghorn chickens at 30 weeks of age were used in the current study of which 300 eggs were collected. Live body weight was classified into three groups namely, small (≤ 195g), medium (196-220g), and large (≥ 221g). The results revealed that the White Leghorn layer’s live body weight was positively influenced by the eggshell index and egg length. Additionally, the results indicated that body weight did not affect EW, SW, EWD, SR, YW, AW, AR, and YR. In conclusion, the live body weight influences egg length and shell index in the White Leghorn chicken breed.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between the external, internal and chemical quality characteristics of 6-year-old red ginseng produced in punggi area. Red ginseng samples are graded as cheon (1st grade), ji (2nd grade), yang (3rd grade), gi (out of grade) by trained inspectors. External characteristics of red ginseng depend on weight, volume, density, length and color. Internal characteristics were expressed by length and occurrence ratio of inner white and inner cavity. Chemical characteristics were evaluated by crude saponin, ginsenoside (Rg1, Rb1, Rc), total sugar, acidic polysaccharide, and 50% ethanol extracts contents. Overall, this study showed that quality of external and internal characteristics was matched with grade, but chemical quality was not matched.

Yapılan çalışmada, Albion çeşidi (Fragaria ananassa) çilek örneklerinde Fourier dönüşümü (FT-NIR) yakın kızılötesi spektroskopi tekniği kullanılarak ürünlerin iç ve dış kalite özellikleri tahmin edilmesi amaçlanmaktadır. Çilek meyvelerinin raf ömürleri hasattan sonra kısa olmasından dolayı özellikle ihraç edilmekte olan ürünler için kalite özellikleri önemli bir kriterdir. FT-NIR gibi hasarsız ölçüm sistemleri kullanılarak ürünlerin kalite özelliklerinin belirlenmesi kimyasal ya da fiziksel metotlara göre daha az zaman alıcı ve daha az maliyetlidir. Özellikle ihracatı gerçekleştirilen ürünler için kalite özellikleri önem arz etmektedir. Çilek örneklerinin hasarsız spektroskopik ölçümleri yansıma (780-2500 nm) ve geçirgenlik (800-1725 nm) teknikleri kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Genel olarak renk özellikleri açısından her iki ölçüm yönteminde (Yansıma ve Geçirgenlik) yüksek kalibrasyon ve doğrulama sonuçları elde edilmiştir. Geçirgenliğe ilişkin renk tonu tahmin değerlerinin doğrulama için R2=84.81 (RMSECV= 0.347) ve kalibrasyon için R2=91.77 (RMSEE= 0.268) ile en iyi sonucu vereceği tahmin edilmiştir. Yansıma modunda, olgunlaşma sırasında doğrulama için kırmızı renk değişkeni R2=82.19 (RMSECV= 5.81) ve kalibrasyon için R2=89.42 (RMSEE= 4.73) ile a* değerinin yüksek tahmin performansı göstermiştir. Diğer taraftan, içsel özelliklerin tahmin performansı, renk özelliklerine göre daha düşük kalmıştır. En başarılı tahmin performansı yansıma modunda çözülebilir kuru madde oranı (R2=50.66; RMSECV= 0.951) için, geçirgenlik modunda ise pH (R2=58.21; RMSECV= 0.0472) için bulunmuştur. Sonuçlardan da anlaşılacağı üzere çilek ürünlerinin olgunlaşma döneminde renk özelliklerinin zarar görmeden tahmin edilmesinde FT-NIR spektroskopisi kullanılması oldukça başarılı olurken, iç özelliklerin tahmininde daha kısıtlayıcı sonuçlar elde edilmiştir.

Egg external and internal qualities are of major importance to egg industry worldwide. The objective of this study was to examine some issues such as external and internal quality traits of the pancake tortoise eggs in determining the phenotypic traits. A total of 180 eggs from pancake tortoise were collected over a period of 3 months was used for the study. The parameters measured include egg weight (EWT), shell weight (SWT), shell thickness (STH), egg length (ELT), and egg width (EWD) which was found respectively as 15.84 g, 0.52g, 0.32mm, 4.02cm, 2.79cm as external egg quality traits (EEQTs) and yolk weight (YWT), albumen weight (AWT), yolk colour (YC), yolk height (YHT), albumen height (AHT) and yolk diameter (YD) were found respectively as 7.48g, 7.84, 5.46cm, 1.34cm, 0.67cm and 4.28cm for internal egg quality traits (IEQTs). The research shows that positive and significant (p<0.001) correlations were found between EWT and ELT. EWT and SWT, EWD and YC, EWT and YWT. This implies that EWT had direct relationship with AWT, SWT and YWT. Negative significant correlations were also and only observed between EWD and AHT. There was statistically significant (P<0.001) but negative correlation (-0.24) obtained between the AHT and EWD, although a positive significant correlation exists (P<0.001) between YC and EWD, YWT and EWT. As a result of these observations, it was considered possible to use the EWT in determining SWT, AWT and YWT.

A total of 270 pedigreed-hatched day old chicks of three strains of Japanese quail generated from a base population of 36 adultswere used in a randomized complete block design to estimate the influence of sire on the internal egg quality and linear body traits of the birds. Parameters measured were internal egg quality traits - albumen height, yolk height, albumen weight, yolk weight, albumen diameter, albumen length, yolk width, yolk length, yolk index, and haugh unit, and growth traits - body weight, thigh length, breast length, body length, keel length, wing length, and shank length. Results showed that linear bodyparameters were significant (P<0.05) except body weight at week 9. Panda white x Cinnamon brown (PWxCB) progenies out-performed the progenies of the other strains mainly at week 9. The PWxCB strain had the highest values in the following: body weight (159.30), thigh length (4.76), breast width (7.40), body length (11.94), keel length (6.77), and shank length (3.44). The haugh unit value was significantly (P< 0.05) different among the three strains mainly at week 8 with CBxCB strain having higher value of (89.07) followed by PWxCB strain (89.03). The phenotypic correlations between the linear body parameters andinternal egg quality traits in Cinnamon brown x Cinnamon brown (CBxCB) strain were significant (P<0.01) in keel length and yolk weight (0.534) and between shank length and yolk weight (0.473) at week 9. For PWxCB strain, high significant (P<0.01) correlation were seen between shank lengthand albumen length (0.631) at week 8, body weight and yolk index at week 9. Silver brown x Cinnamon brown (SBxCB) strain also showed high positive significant (P<0.01) correlation between shank length and yolk weight (0.541), breast width and albumen weight (0.537) and between body length and albumen weight (0.625) at week 9.These positive correlations imply that by direct selection for any linear body trait for increased meat production, there will be a remarkable genetic improvement in the internal egg quality trait. It can be concluded that PWxCB is a strain of choice for improved growth and internal egg quality characteristics.

Due to consumer attitude and perception on fertile and non-fertile eggs from pervious study, this this study aimed to evaluate the interaction effect of temperature and storage duration on fertile and non-fertile eggs on egg quality characteristics. A total of 600 eggs were obtained from Lohmann brown hens, at 44 weeks. Roasters were removed from the hen that laid non- fertile eggs. Eggs collection started after 30 days of roaster withdrawal. Eggs were stored for 5, 10, 15 and 20 days respectively under room temperature (ambient) 27 – 310C and refrigeration (100C) temperature in a 2 x 5 factorial arrangement of a completely randomized design. Egg quality characteristics and sensory evaluation were assessed using standard procedures. Data were analysed using ANOVA at á0.05. The yolk weight, yolk height, yolk diameter, yolk ratio and yolk index showed significant differences (p<0.05) with storage days. Yolk colour of fertile egg stored in refrigerator at day 15 was significantly higher than other storage days. The albumen weight, albumen height, albumen length, albumen ratio and Haugh unit shows significant difference (p<0.05). Overall acceptability of fertile eggs was recorded to be the highest at day 10 of storage at room temperature. In conclusion, interaction between storage days and temperature revealed that fertile eggs can be stored in refrigerator and at room for 10 days without adverse effect on the eggs quality. En raison de l'attitude des consommateurs et de la perception sur les œufs fertiles et non fertiles provenant d'études perméables, cette étude visait à évaluer l'effet d'interaction de la température et de la durée de stockage sur les œufs fertiles et non fertiles sur les caractéristiques de qualité des œufs. Un total de 600 oeufs ont été obtenus à partir de poules brunes Lohmann, à 44 semaines. Les torréfacteurs ont été retirés de la poule qui pondait des œufs non fertiles. La collecte des œufs a commencé après 30 jours de retrait de la rôtissoire. Les œufs ont été conservés pendant 5, 10, 15 et 20 jours respectivement sous température ambiante (ambiante) 27 - 310C et température de réfrigération (100C) dans un arrangement factorial de 2 x 5 d'une conception complètement randomisée. Les caractéristiques de qualité des œufs et l'évaluation sensorielle ont été évaluées à l'aide de procédures normalisées. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide d'ANOVA à á0,05. Le poids du jaune, la taille du jaune, le diamètre du jaune, le rapport jaune et l'indice du jaune ont montré des différences significatives (p<0.05) avec les jours de stockage. La couleur jaune des œufs fertiles conservés au réfrigérateur au jour 15 était significativement plus élevée que les autres jours d'entreposage. Le poids d'albumen, la hauteur d'albumen, la longueur d'albumen, le rapport d'albumen et l'unité de Haugh montre la différence significative (p<0,05). Dans l'ensemble, l'acceptabilité des œufs fertiles a été enregistrée comme la plus élevée au jour 10 de l'entreposage à température ambiante. En conclusion, l'interaction entre les jours d'entreposage et la température a révélé que les œufs fertiles peuvent être conservés au réfrigérateur et à la pièce pendant 10 jours sans effet négatif sur la qualité des œufs.

Telferia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin leaf) and Ocimum gratissimum (scent leaf) meals were added as additives in the diets of laying chickens to assess the external and internal characteristics of the eggs. A total of 420 Isa-brown point-of-lay pullets were randomly allocated in a completely randomized design to seven dietary treatments (T1 - T7). T1 served as the control diet with no inclusion of test ingredients; pumpkin leaf meal (PLM) and scent leaf meal (SLM). In other treatments or diets, PLM and SLM were included per 100kg feed as follows; T2 250g PLM, T3 250g SLM, T4 500g PLM, T5 500g SLM, T6 250gPLM+250gSLM, and T7 500g PLM+500g SLM. Data were collected on egg production in three phases (cycles) of egg laying. Phase one was marked as egg production period during which the birds were between 18 and 28 weeks old, phase two spanned from 28 to 38 weeks old, while phase three covered the laying periods from 38 to 48 weeks old. At the end of each laying cycle, four eggs were taken per replicate per treatment for assessment of internal and external characteristics. Egg weight, egg width, egg shell surface area and shell thickness were significantly (P>0.05) low in the control eggs in all laying cycles. Yolk weight was highest (P<0.05) in T5 (12.97g) in the first laying cycle. Yolk heights were only significant (P<0.05) in second and third cycles and respectively highest in T6 19.17 and T1 (19.47mm). Albumin height was significantly affectected only in the third cycle and was highest in the control eggs (11.73mm). In cycle one, Haugh unit was significantly highest in T4 (108.57) while in cycles 2 and 3 it was highest in T3 (181.99 and 181.54 respectively). In conclusion, the eggs from laying birds fed supplemented diets had improved external and internal qualities as compared to those from control group especially at the second and third laying cycles. These results suggest that Telferia occidentalis and Ocimum gratissimum can be used as natural alternatives to the imported synthetic antibiotics in the diets of laying chickens. This might in addition to saving foreign exchange in Nigeria since antibiotics and other poultry drugs are imported, will also enhance the quality of eggs consumed.

Egg quality traits are essential indicators of productivity and commercial value in poultry breeding. This study evaluated egg quality characteristics of Shika Brown laying chickens and developed predictive models for egg weight (EWT) using stepwise regression. A total of 240 eggs, obtained from Shika Brown laying chickens, were analyzed for parameters including egg length (ELT), egg width (EWD), shell thickness (STK), shell weight (SWT), egg shape index (ESI), albumen weight (AWT), and yolk weight (YWT). Data were analyzed using statistical analysis procedures of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 27.0 (IBM SPSS, 2020). Descriptive statistics and phenotypic correlations were computed to assess trait relationships. Stepwise regression analysis was employed to develop predictive models for EWT. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships (p < 0.01) between EWT and external traits such as EWD (r = 0.256) and egg volume (EGV; r = 0.188), with a strong negative correlation between EWT and shell thickness index (STI; r = -0.763). Internal traits (albumen and yolk) showed weaker associations. The optimal predictive model was EWT = 57.271 - 19.030(STI) + 2.392(STK) + 4.080(EWD) - 0.125(ESI) - 0.155(ELT) with adjusted R² = 0.888 and RMSE = 1.813. External egg quality traits enable accurate EWT estimation, reducing reliance on direct measurement. These findings support optimized selection strategies in Shika Brown breeding programs, enhancing productivity and market value.

This study compared egg quality parameters in layers under free-range system with prefabricated pens and backyard while emphasizing hen age. A total of 300 eggs collected from prefabricated pens and backyard farming families in the Çamardı District of Niğde Province were used as study materials. The assessed external and internal egg quality characteristics included egg weight, shape index, shell thickness, shell breaking strength, albumen index, Haugh unit, yolk index, and yolk colour. The effect of production system on albumen index, Haugh unit, and yolk colour score was found statistically significant. There was a significant effect of age on shape index, shell thickness, shell breaking strength, albumen index, Haugh Unit, yolk index, and yolk colour score. The effect of interaction between age and production system was statistically significant for shape index, shell thickness, yolk index, Haugh Unit, and yolk colour score. It was determined that the egg`s meat and blood spots percentages from the free-range and backyard systems were 10.6% and 15.3%, respectively. It was concluded that while eggs produced from free-range system are superior in terms of egg weight, shape index, and Haugh unit those obtained from backyard hens are higher in eggshell thickness, eggshell breaking strength, and egg yolk colour.

Effects of layer age and different plumage colors on external and internal egg quality characteristics in Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

The fresh eggs were collected and evaluated to effect of storage periods on internal and external characteristics in local chicken eggs. The mean value of the egg weight, egg width, shape index, albumin height, albumen weight, albumen percentage, albumin index, yolk height, yolk weight, yolk percentage, yolk index, shell thickness, shell weight, shell %, albumin pH, albumin protein and Haugh Unit are 58.60±0.84 g, 4.08±0.02 cm, 76.39±1.02, 5.40±0.16 mm, 33.67±0.37g, 58.07±0.55%, 6.76±0.49, 18.20±0.29 mm, 18.33±0.43 g, 44.27±0.91%, 44.27±0.91%, 0.29±0.02, 6.06±0.22, 10.39±0.25, 7.82±0.02, 11.77±0.07 and 72.63±1.34 in local chicken eggs. The data from current study indicates that with increase in storage period, a significant (P<0.01) decline was observed in various parameters like percentage weight loss, albumen height, yolk height, egg width, albumen index, yolk index, Haugh unit, albumen %, albumen weight, shell thickness and albumen protein. Contrary to this, albumen pH (P<0.01) was found to escalate with increase in storage period. Egg length, shell %and yolk % have significantly differed at (P<0.01) level. Shape index and shell weight showed no significant differences.

Genetic parameters of egg quality traits in long-term pedigree recorded Japanese quail

Aim:The present study was conducted to evaluate the performance of gray, brown, and white varieties of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with respect to body weight, egg production, and egg quality traits in the coastal climatic condition of Odisha.Materials and Methods:A total of 500-day-old straight run Japanese quail chicks of three varieties, viz., gray, brown, and white were randomly selected and reared in deep litter system at Central Poultry Development Organization, Eastern Region, Bhubaneswar. The weekly body weight of the birds was recorded till their egg production stage (up to 6 weeks of age). The average egg production was recorded every biweekly from 6th to 20th week. Exterior and interior quality of eggs from each variety was determined at 6 weeks of age.Results:The initial average weekly body weight of three varieties did not differ (p>0.05) among the varieties. However, from 1st to 6th week significantly higher body weight was observed in gray than white and brown. Brown varieties had reached 50% egg production 1 week earlier than gray and white. Brown had higher peak hen day (HD) production or hen-housed egg production followed by white and gray. External quality such as: Egg weight, egg length, egg width, volume, shape index, shell weight, shell thickness depicted no significant difference among the varieties except circumference length and circumference width, which were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in gray varieties than brown varieties. Internal egg characteristics such as: Albumen length, albumen width, albumen height, albumen index, yolk length, yolk width, yolk height, yolk index, albumen weight, yolk weight, Haugh unit revealed no significance difference among the varieties.Conclusion:It may be summarized from the findings that gray excelled in body weight followed by white and brown. Egg production potential in terms of hen house egg production or HD egg production was higher for brown followed by white and gray in the coastal climatic condition of Odisha.