| 摘要 |
The present invention relates to the use of canthaxanthin and canthaxanthin containing compounds for increasing the reddish colour of animal tissue. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of canthaxanthin for colouring muscle tissue in birds, especially poultry. It is well accepted that canthaxanthin may act as a potential vitamin A precursor and plays an important role as a free radical scavenger due to its antioxidant properties in poultry metabolism. For these purposes canthaxanthin is used in regular poultry diets in amounts of 8 to 10 ppm. Now, it has surprisingly been found that the use of canthaxanthin in amounts of at least 10 ppm, preferably of 12 to 25 ppm, in a bird diet results in a significant colouration of muscle tissue. |
