Effect of feed trace elements on eggs of five strains of laying hens and their health risk assessment

BACKGROUND: Trace elements are essential for human nutrition, and their deficiencies or excesses are strongly associated with several diseases, such as cardiovascular ones. OBJECTIVES: The current cross‐sectional study investigated the concentration of essential trace elements (copper, non‐metal selenium, iron, zinc, cobalt and manganese) in eggs and diets of five strains of laying hens. METHODS: The yolk and albumen were analysed separately, and wet preparation was carried out following inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry detection. The target hazard quotients (THQs) for the non‐carcinogenic disease were calculated by the United States environmental protection agency (USEPA) method. RESULTS: The highest concentrations of selenium, zinc and manganese were found in egg yolks of native hens (0.76, 44.22 and 6.52 mg/kg, respectively). The highest amounts of copper and cobalt were recorded in the egg yolk of Lohman (2.07 and 0.023 mg/kg, respectively). On the other hand, the egg yolk of Bovans contained the highest amount of iron (57.46 mg/kg). CONCLUSION: Overall, the potential health risks were minimal, and the consumption of eggs was generally safe.