4. Conclusions
In conclusion the comparison of the novel iEx/iCheck method for total carotenoids in egg yolk showed a very good agreement between the new method and the two standard methods AOAC and HPLC. In comparison to the sophisticated, but time consuming, laboratory based and expensive AOAC and HPLC methods the new method is able to analysis egg yolk within few minutes. The low technical prerequisites and its portability makes the method very suitable to be used even in a poultry shed. In addition to practical considerations and reduced cost of investment the new test system also reduces the exposure of the laboratory personal to potentially dangerous organic solvents and uses much less organic solvents compared to the conventional methods thus reducing the environmentally and ecologically critical waste to a minimum. All these aspects taken together classify the method as highly suitable for low resource settings especially in developing countries.
Acknowledgements
Authors are deeply acknowledged the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany for financial support to the first author as postdoctoral fellowship as well as financial support to the host institute.