Brassica rapa L. is an alternative source of carotenoids that can be included in animal diets as a natural pigment. Therefore, β-carotene and lutein-zeaxanthin extracted from the leaves, flowers, and seeds of Brassica were evaluated in quail egg yolks. The carotenoids were extracted by chemical maceration with HPLC-grade ethanol and incorporated into the quail diet. Lutein-zeaxanthin and β-carotene present in the egg yolk were quantified by HPLC-PAD. In addition, yolk color was evaluated using the DMS method. The effect of the extracts was compared using a completely randomized design with four treatments (three plant parts and one control), three replicates, and five eggs per replicate. The results showed luteinzeaxanthin contents of 118.05, 9.65, and 11.8 μg/g in leaves, flowers, and seeds, respectively, whereas β-carotene contents were 102.25, 2.85, and 0.20 μg/g, respectively; statistical analysis for both compounds showed higher contents in leaves (p < 0.05). Only lutein-zeaxanthin was found in the egg yolk, with values of 40.17, 34.37, and 33.83 μg/g for birds fed with seed, leaf, and flower pigments, with higher content in the treatment with seed extract (p < 0.05). In the DMS test, a higher score was observed in birds fed a diet that included seed extract (p < 0.05). The results indicate that seed extracts improved yolk pigmentation despite their lower carotenoid content, whereas leaf extracts provided higher carotenoid concentrations but had a lesser effect on yolk color.
