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Despite the wide biodiversity of avian species of zootechnical interest in Spain, projects aimed at characterizing these genotypes and their products are necessary. External and internal egg quality traits were measured in 819 eggs laid by hens of 10 different genotypes: White, Franciscan, Black and Partridge varieties of Utrerana, Blue Andalusian, Spanish White-Faced, Andalusian Tufted White and Black varieties, Araucana; and Leghorn Lohmann LSL-Classic lineage (commercial hybrid line) hen breeds. After multicollinearity analysis of egg quality-related traits was performed (VIF ≤ 4), major diameter, minor diameter, egg weight, and albumen height were deemed redundant explanatory variables and discarded. A stepwise discriminant canonical analysis was developed to cluster eggs across hen genotypes considering egg quality attributes. Shell a* and b* variables reported the highest discriminant power (Wilks' lambda: 0.699 and 0.729, respectively). The first two discriminant functions captured 60.48% of the variance across groups (F1: 39.36%; F2: 21.12%). Clear quality differentiation signs are evidenced for Mediterranean native breeds' eggs when compared to Leghorn's eggs. Consequently, this evidence of egg quality differentiation may favor the standardization of breed- and variety-linked distinctive products, which may open new market opportunities based on the existence of a wide spectrum of diet or culinary applications., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Simple Summary: A local breed's particularities may provide eggs with sensory properties which may overcome laying lineage, regardless of their production system characteristics. Hence, methods clarifying what the appreciation of a certain product is like can outline the actions required to improve the market value of that product. Affine and non-affine profiles were defined based on the information provided by sixty-four professionally-instructed panelists on sensory attributes, diet habits, production context awareness, product consciousness, cuisine applicability and panelist attributes. Egg consumption was lower in non-affine profile professionals, as were the scores provided to sensory attributes. The higher the knowledge about Utrerana breed, the greater the importance provided to the ecological and autochthonous nature of the products. The level of study, gender and age are crucial factors to consider when approaching the commercialization of Utrerana hen eggs. Conclusively, defining consumer profiles among professionals of the cuisine sector may improve the profitability of Utrerana eggs and may help educating non-affine profiles, something key to the success in product appreciation. This study aimed to compare Utrerana native hen eggs' sensory properties to Leghorn Lohmann LSL-Classic lineage's commercial and ecological eggs through free-choice profiling. Second, affine and non-affine profiles were defined using the information provided by professionally-instructed panelists on six sets (sensory attributes, diet habits, production context awareness, product consciousness, cuisine applicability and panelist attributes) using nonlinear canonical correlation analysis. Sixty-four instructed professional panelists rated 96 eggs on 39 variables comprising the above-mentioned sets. Observers reported a significantly higher appreciation (p > 0.05) towards yolk color, odor, flavor, texture, overall score, and whole and on plate broken egg visual value when Utrerana eggs were compared to the rest of categories. Professional Profile A (PPA), or egg non-affine profile, consumed less eggs and provided lower scores to sensory attributes than Professional Profile B (PPB), or affine profile. Additionally, PPB accounted for higher knowledge about the Utrerana breed and provided greater importance to a product's ecological and autochthonous nature. PPA was generally characterized by women under 20 years old with no higher studies, while PPB comprised 21–40 years old men with secondary studies. In conclusion, defining professional profiles enables correctly approaching market needs to improve the profitability of Utrerana eggs, meeting professional demands and educating non-affine profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The development of new more productive lines of laying hens has displaced native breeds to second place; therefore, new lines of research that ensure the conservation of local breeds and biodiversity are increasingly necessary. The aim of the present study is to characterize the productive capability of Utrerana and to compare the relationships among parameters determining the internal and external quality of the egg, through canonical correlation analysis. We used a flock of 68 Utrerana hens with animals of each of its four varieties (white, black, Franciscan and partridge), and a group of 17 Leghorn hens as a control group. The breed and variety significantly affected egg characteristics. The external and internal quality parameters of the egg were evaluated and reported results providing consistent data for the characterization of the products from this breed. This productive characterization could benefit the conservation of the Utrerana breed, the establishment of livestock models that adapt to it and the search for a market in which this product could be used. The aim of the present study is to characterize the productive capability of Utrerana and to compare the relationships among parameters determining the internal and external quality of the egg, through canonical correlation analysis. A flock of 68 Utrerana hens and a control group of Leghorn hens (n = 17) were housed individually to allow individual identification of eggs and for the assessment of egg quality characteristics. Almost all variables showed differences when both breeds were compared, except for white height, yolk diameter, yolkL* and yolk pH (p > 0.05). Only minor diameter, white height, yolkL*, yolka*, and shell weight reported significant differences between laying age groups. White height, yolk color, and almost all yolk color coordinates were significantly different (p < 0.05) for period and month. Egg and white weight reached highest significantly different levels for the fourth and fifth time that the hens laid an egg. External quality-related traits are better predictors of internal quality-related traits than vice versa, enabling the implementation of an effective noninvasive method for internal quality determination and egg classification aimed at suiting the needs of consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Protein, certain MUFA or total PUFA differences depend on hen breed and variety. • Fatty acid profile depends on breed, but only C18:2 n6 differs across varieties. • Hen breed conditions Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, S and Zn egg levels. • Black Utrerana and Leghorns reported higher linoleic acid contents. Eggshell, white and yolk chemical composition was compared across Utrerana breed varieties (black, partridge and franciscan) and Leghorn Lohmann LSL-Classic lineage. An Utrerana hens flock (n = 51) and a control group of Leghorn hens (n = 17) were housed individually allowing egg identification and quality characteristics assessment. Eggshell, yolk and white macroelements and microelements, carbohydrates, moisture, ashes, protein, fat (polyunsaturated and saturated), sugars, cholesterol, and α-tocopherol contents were analyzed. Simultaneously, itemized yolk fatty acids composition was evaluated. Calcium contents were higher in Utrerana eggshell (358.53 g/kg vs. 337.01 g/kg) and white (593.75 mg/kg vs. 584.31 mg/kg), while protein contents were higher in Utrerana yolk (17.40 % vs. 16.90 %) and white (10.60 % vs 10.30 %). Utrerana yolks reported higher α-tocopherol (102.00 mg vs. 88.00 mg), total polyunsaturated fatty acids (19.80 % vs. 16.60 %), and some monounsaturated fatty acids content (C18:1 n9: 42.68 % vs. 41.31 % ; C16:1 n9: 0.60 % vs. 0.50 %). Black variety and Leghorns reported higher linoleic acid contents (13.72 % and 13.27 %, respectively) than the rest of the Utrerana varieties. Conclusively, detailed knowledge on differentiated properties of eggs depending on the animals originating them enables a correctly approaching market needs to improve the profitability and find a competitive niche for local products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]