Synthetic pigments from external sources are supplemented in sorghum replacement diets in the substitution for the corn diet of Japanese quails, in order to compensate the decrease in egg yolk color. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effect of the following synthetic pigments: yellow (apo-ester), red (canthaxanthin), and selenomethionine on sensorial characteristics of eggs laid by Japanese quails fed ration formulated with sorghum, totally substituting a corn diet. The following treatments were used: T1-control diet; T2-sorghum diet (SD); T3-SD + apo-ester; T4-SD + apo-ester + canthaxanthin; T5-SD + apo-ester + canthaxanthin + selenomethionine. Thirty non-trained individuals evaluated egg flavor and yolk color. Average differences were accessed by a paired comparison test at the 5% significance level. Significant differences between the standard sample and treatment samples were observed for flavor and color characteristics of the egg, using a minimum number of coincident answers at the 5% significance level. The degree of flavor difference ranged from low intensity between the standard sample and treatment samples T2, T4, and T5. The degree of color difference ranged from moderate to high intensity between the standard sample and treatment samples. Synthetic pigments (apo-ester and canthaxanthin) associated with selenomethionine in sorghum based diets can be used for Japanese quails.
apocarotenoids; canthaxanthin; egg quality; quail egg; sensory evaluation
