Refining eggs for Singaporeans with Kemin Industries

The company wins in this year’s SBR Technology Excellence Awards.

Singaporeans, on average, consume around 390 eggs per capita annually as statistics show that 2.21 billion eggs were consumed in 2020 alone. As an important natural source of pigments such as carotenoids, xanthophylls, lutein, and zeaxanthin—eggs take up an important part of the average Singaporean diet.

In order to provide the best quality eggs to the market, Kemin Industries determined the factors leading to the formation of desirable characteristics in eggs, eventually perfecting a formulation for poultry feed applications. This breakthrough earned them the Biotechnology - Manufacturing Award at the 2023 SBR Technology Excellence Awards.

The awards programme recognises the efforts and success of companies in Singapore in producing world-class products and services with technological capabilities that aim to lead the digital revolution, and Kemin Industries exalted themselves from their competition with the release of their Quantum Glo 40Y pigment product.

Carotenoids are well-known for preventing and reducing the possibility of cataracts and age-related macular (AMD) degeneration, as Singaporeans have a chance of about 5.1% for early AMD and 0.5% (1 in every 200 individuals) for late AMD. In order to achieve good levels of carotenoids in eggs, yolk colouration was studied in order to adjust the hens’ diet with various sources of carotenoids, as egg yolk is a dietary response to the amount and type of carotenoids fed to chickens.

Through continuous in-house innovation, Kemin launched the Quantum Glo 40Y pigment product that contains a patent-pending technology formulation. The product aims to provide the perfect amount of carotenoids in poultry feeds to achieve desirable results in egg yolk colouration.

The innovation utilises a highly concentrated carotenoid pigment product that works with a bio-surfactant system capable of a self-emulsifying microemulsion mechanism, resulting in the product containing twice the amount of total xanthophylls compared to current formulations and other generic carotenoid products in the market.

By drawing from the authentic pigments of marigold flowers, the product achieves consistent colouring, providing consumers with the peace-of-mind that they seek in the market for natural products. By using a unique microemulsion blend, solubilisation capacity and pigment stabilisation were enhanced leading to a higher carotenoid deposition in the egg yolk.

Kemin used a series of biosurfactants and emulsifiers, using nanotechnology formulation to stabilise the unique pigment microemulsion up to 85 °C typically experienced during feed pelleting and milling. Through effective engineering, the Quantum Glo 40Y Dry contains uniform nanoscale particles that make it easier for chickens to absorb the carotenoid in their digestive tracts.

Kemin optimised the usage of a new-generation 8SCAN-machine that assesses egg yolk colour more objectively, providing empirical measurements of egg quality, lutein/carotenoid content, and freshness.

By utilising research findings, innovations, and customer feedback, Kemin Industries was able to develop the Quantum Glo 40Y product derived from natural pigments to enhance the lutein uptake and its bioavailability in hens. With a higher-than-average lutein content in egg yolks, the ageing Asian population now has access to better nutritional sources for improved eye health.

The SBR Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Jane Patiag at [email protected].