Egg quality and nutritional profile of three sicilian autochthonous chicken breeds: Siciliana, Cornuta di Caltanissetta, and Valplatani

The conservation of poultry biodiversity is a growing global priority, yet it necessarily relies on the scientific valorization of specific local breeds. This study aimed to characterize the lipid composition and cholesterol content of eggs from three native Sicilian chicken breeds (Cornuta, Valplatani, and Siciliana) reared under semi-extensive conditions, in order to evaluate their nutritional potential and support biodiversity preservation strategies. A total of 170 eggs from 11 farms were analyzed. Fatty acid composition and nutritional indices (atherogenic index, thrombogenic index, n-6/n-3 ratio, HH index) were determined according to ISO and AOAC standards. Results showed that Cornuta eggs exhibited the most favorable lipid profile, with the lowest saturated fatty acid (SFA) content (38.55%), the lowest n-6/n-3 ratio (7.35), and the best values for AI (0.52), TI (1.22), and HH (2.02), compared to Valplatani and Siciliana. Conversely, the lowest cholesterol content was found in Siciliana eggs (1463.58 mg/kg), significantly lower than Cornuta (1789 mg/kg; p < 0.05). Although no commercial hybrids were included, the literature data were used for contextual comparison. These findings suggest that native breeds may produce eggs with functional nutritional properties, supporting both healthier food choices and local genetic conservation. Moreover, this study provides a replicable framework for the nutritional valorization of underutilized poultry breeds, reinforcing the role of biodiversity in sustainable food systems.