Influence of ewe feeding systems on fatty acid composition of suckling lambs

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ewe dietary treatments on the intramuscular fatty acid composition of suckling lambs. Twenty-four pregnant Italian Merino ewes were divided into two equal groups. One group (pasture-fed group) was allowed to graze a natural pasture and the other group (stall-fed group) was penned indoors and fed with hay and concentrate. After lambing, all ewes stayed with their respective lambs for the whole experimental period. Lambs were slaughtered at 100 days of age with an average live weight of 20kg. Fatty acid profiles of milk and lamb meat (longissimus lumborum muscle) were analysed. Intramuscular fat from pasture-fed lambs showed higher (P<0.001) proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The percentage of lauric (C12:0; P<0.05), palmitic (C16.0; P<0.001) and oleic (C18.1; P<0.001) fatty acids were higher in the intramuscular fat from stall-fed lambs, whereas pasture-fed lambs showed greater proportions of linolenic (C18:3; P<0.001), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5; P<0.001) and docosapentaenoic (C22:5; P<0.05) fatty acids. Moreover, the intramuscular fat from pasture-fed lambs displayed a higher (P<0.001) PUFA/SFA ratio, and a lower (p<0.001) n-6/n-3 ratio. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) tended to be higher (P=0.07) in the intramuscular fat from pasture-fed lambs. This study confirmed that pasture enhanced the unsaturated fatty acid profile of intramuscular fat in lambs including n-3 fatty acids.     

Effect of artificial rearing on lamb welfare and meat quality

Twenty male Comisana lambs were equally divided into two groups. Ten subjects were artificially reared, 10 others were ewe reared and used as control. Unseparated control animals displayed increased cellular immune response to a percutaneous injection of phytohemagglutinin (P<0.001). During the open field test, ewe-reared lambs showed a higher number of flight attempts (P<0.01). Carcass yield were higher for artificially reared animals (P<0.05). Conversely, legs of ewe-reared animals had significantly more fat (P<0.05) and a higher content of saturated fatty acids (P<0.001). Polyunsaturated fatty acid content was higher in artificially reared lamb meat (P<0.01), although the ratio n-6/n-3 was well above the recommended values. The triangle test showed a significant difference in sensory analysis between the two products (P<0.05). Finally, for both rearing systems legs without subcutaneous fat showed a higher percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a corresponding lower content of saturated fatty acids (P<0.001).     

Fatty acid profile, cholesterol content and tenderness of meat from Podolian young bulls

Fatty acid profile, cholesterol content and sensory properties of meat from Podolian young bulls were evaluated. The percentage of saturated fatty acids was higher for LD and lower for SM and ST muscles (P<0.001). Oleic and stearic fatty acids constituted more than 50% of the total fatty acids in all muscles studied. The meat produced by Podolian young bulls showed a favourable percentage content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a beneficial ratio P/S. Conversely, the ratio n-6/n-3 exceeded the recommended value in the human diet. Changing the time of ageing from 8 to 15 days produced an increment of MDA (P<0.01). The differences in MDA content observed between meat samples aged 8 and 15 days were still detectable after 4 and 8 months of frozen storage. The extension of the ageing period from 8 to 15 days produced an increase in tenderness (P<0.05) and flavour intensity (P<0.01).     

Innovations in beef production systems that enhance the nutritional and health value of beef lipids and their relationship with meat quality

Consumers are becoming more aware of the relationships between diet and health and this has increased consumer interest in the nutritional value of foods. This is impacting on the demand for foods which contain functional components that play important roles in health maintenance and disease prevention. For beef, much attention has been given to lipids. This paper reviews strategies for increasing the content of beneficial omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and reducing saturated fatty acids (SFA) in beef. Particular attention is given to intramuscular fat (IMF) and the relationships between fatty acid composition and key meat quality parameters including colour shelf life and sensory attributes. Despite the high levels of ruminal biohydrogenation of dietary PUFA, nutrition is the major route for increasing the content of beneficial fatty acids in beef. Feeding grass or concentrates containing linseed (rich in α-linolenic acid, 18:3n-3) in the diet increases the content of 18:3n-3 and its longer chain derivative eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) in beef muscle and adipose tissue, resulting in a lower n-6:n-3 ratio. Grass feeding also increases docasahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3). Feeding PUFA rich lipids which are protected from ruminal biohydrogenation result in further enhancement of the PUFA in meat with concomitant beneficial improvements in the ratio of polyunsaturated:saturated fatty acids (P:S ratio) and n-6:n-3 ratio. The main CLA isomer in beef is CLA cis-9, trans-11 and it is mainly associated with the triacylglycerol lipid fraction and therefore is positively correlated with level of fatness. The level of CLA cis-9, trans-11 in beef is related to (1) the amount of this isomer produced in the rumen and (2) synthesis in the tissue, by delta-9 desaturase, from ruminally produced trans vaccenic acid (18:1 trans-11; TVA). Feeding PUFA-rich diets increases the content of CLA cis-9, trans-11 in beef. Trans-fatty acids in foods are of rising importance and knowledge of the differential effects of the individual trans isomers is increasing. TVA is the major trans 18:1 isomer in beef and as the precursor for tissue CLA in both animals and man should be considered as a neutral or beneficial trans-isomer. Increasing the content of n-3 PUFA in beef can influence colour shelf life and sensory attributes of the meat. As the content of n-3 PUFA increases then sensory attributes such as "greasy" and "fishy" score higher and colour shelf life may be reduced. Under these situations, high levels of vitamin E are necessary to help stabilise the effects of incorporating high levels of long chain PUFA into meat. However, grass feeding not only increases n-3 PUFA and CLA but, due to its high content of vitamin E, colour shelf life is improved. It is evident that opportunities exist to enhance the content of health promoting fatty acids in beef and beef products offering opportunities to add value and contribute to market differentiation. However, it is imperative that these approaches to deliver "functional" attributes do not compromise on the health value (lipoperoxidation) or the taste of beef products.     

LIPID CHARACTERISTICS OF EMU MEAT AND TISSUES

Twenty four (24) samples of emu meat (drumstick) and fat (abdominal fat (AF) and back fat (BF)), liver and heart tissue were collected from three (3) farms, and twelve (12) samples of chicken (drumstick) and beef (steak) were collected from supermarkets. The AF and BF of emu contained over 99% triacylglycerols. Monounsaturatedfatty acids (MUFA) constituted to 56% in AF and BF, saturated fatty acids (SAFA) at 31% and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) constituted to 13%. Oleic acid (C18:1n-9) was the predominant MUFA at 48%. The emu leg meat total lipids were up to 3%. Phospholipid constituted the major lipid class in emu and chicken meat at 64%, higher (P<0.05) than beef meat (47%). The emu drumstick contained higher (P<0.05) linoleic (C18:2n-6), arachidonic (C20:4 n-6), linolenic (C18:3 n-3) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6 n-3) acids than chicken drumstick and beef steak. The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids in emu meat was 0.72, higher (P<0.0001) than chicken meat, 0.57 and beef meat, 0.3. The ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids did not differ (P>0.05) among the three sources of meat.     

Reduced fatty acid synthesis and desaturation due to exogenous trans10,cis12-CLA in cows fed oleic or linoleic oil

To determine effects of an elevated supply of cis9,trans11-18:2 (9/11CLA) or trans10,cis12-18:2 (10/12CLA) on de novo synthesis and desaturation of long-chain fatty acids, four Holstein cows fed high-oleic sunflower (OLE) or high-linoleic safflower oil (LIN) at 2.5% of DM were infused (0.625 g/h) with 9/11CLA or 10/12CLA for 48 h via the abomasum. Treatments were assigned in a 2 x 2 factorial design. The assigned diets were fed for 11 d before each 48-h infusion period. Milk samples were obtained at 12 and 0 h before infusion and at 12-h intervals from 0 to 96 h. Concentrations of trans11-18:1 and 18:2n-6 in arterial plasma phospholipid, triglyceride, and FFA fractions were greater due to feeding LIN compared with OLE. Infused 9/11CLA and 10/12CLA were incorporated into plasma triglycerides and FFA primarily. Exogenous 10/12CLA also was found in plasma phospholipids. Milk yield and DMI were not affected by treatments. Percentages and yields of protein, lactose, and SNF in milk also were not affected by treatments. Milk fat percentage and yield, however, decreased 25% from 0 to 96 h in response to infusion of 10/12CLA compared with 9/11CLA. Yields of trans11-18:1, 9/11CLA and 18:2n-6 in milk fat before infusion were higher when LIN was fed compared with OLE. Infusion of 9/11CLA, regardless of diet, increased 9/11CLA in milk fat by 44%. Although 10/12CLA was not detectable in milk fat before infusion, it averaged 6 mg/g of total fatty acids and 2 g/d after 48 h. At 48 h, recovery in milk of infused 9/11CLA was 16% compared with 8% for 10/12CLA. Yields of saturated 6:0 to 16:0, cis9-18:1, 9/11CLA, and 20:4n-6 were reduced by 10/12CLA infusion. Due to a 40% increase in the concentration of 18:0 by 48 h of 10/12CLA infusion, however, yield of 18:0 was not affected. Ratios of cis9-18:1/18:0, 9/11CLA/trans11-18:1, and 20:4n-6/18:2n-6 in milk fat decreased in response to infusion of 10/12CLA, regardless of diet. At peak concentration of 10/12CLA, reductions in cis9-18:1 and saturated 4:0-16:0 yields accounted for 36% and 53% of the decrease in total fatty acid yield. Results indicated 10/12CLA alters lipid metabolism in the bovine mammary gland by simultaneously reducing de novo synthesis and desaturation. Furthermore, milk triglyceride synthesis may have a stringent requirement for endogenously synthesized oleic acid.     

The effect of spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica f. inermis) supplementation on growth, carcass, meat quality and fatty acid composition of male goat kids

Lambs from two Turkish breeds, Kivircik a meat breed and Sakiz a breed used for milk and meat production, were fed a diet containing commercial concentrate and hay in the ratios of either 75:25 or 25:75. The effects on fatty acid composition were studied. After weaning (at about 8 weeks) a total of 40 male lambs (20 Kivircik, 20 Sakiz) were divided into four groups of 10 animals and fed either commercial concentrate or grass hay-based diets. The lambs were group fed indoors for 60 days. The mean intramuscular total fatty acid content of longissimus dorsi for Sakiz was lower than that for Kivircik lamb. Increasing the dried grass percentage in the ration decreased the final live weight of the lambs but intramuscular total fatty acid content increased (2088 vs. 1791mg/kg muscle, p<0.001). All n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher in muscle from lamb fed dried grass-based diets than from lambs fed concentrate-based diets whereas all n-6 were higher in the latter. Polyunsaturated:saturated ratios were higher in the latter animals; 0.26 compared with 0.16 in the lambs fed grass hay. Concentrate groups displayed a higher n-6/n-3 ratio in the same muscle, 7.11 compared with 1.28 in the lambs fed grass. Muscle from Kivircik lambs had higher concentrations of C18:2 n-6 and its metabolite C20:4 n-6 (p<0.001) and also C18:3 n-3.     

牦牛酥油贮藏期间脂肪酸和健康评估指数变化

该研究通过测定青藏高原牦牛酥油脂肪酸情况,计算动脉粥样硬化指数(atherogenic index, AI)、血栓形成指数(thrombopoiesis index, TI)、促健康指数(health promotion index, HPI)和低胆固醇血症/高胆固醇血症比率(hypocholesterolemia/hypercholesterolemia ratio, HH)4个健康指数,探索和揭示贮藏期间牦牛酥油脂肪酸的组成特征、功能活性脂肪酸及健康指数变化。采用青海省海北藏族自治州和甘肃甘南藏族自治州的牦牛酥油,在4℃下贮藏0、1、2、3、4、5个月,利用GC-MS进行脂肪酸分析。结果显示,在整个贮藏期内牦牛酥油中棕榈酸、油酸、硬脂酸为优势脂肪酸,海北和甘南酥油多不饱和脂肪酸(polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA)相对含量分别为5.99%～4.62%和7.77%～6.60%;单不饱和脂肪酸(monounsaturated fatty acids, MUFA)含量分别为28.61%～26.42%和29.51%～26.95%;甘南酥油奇数碳链脂肪酸(od...     

Effect of a linseed diet on lipid oxidation, fatty acid composition of muscle, perirenal fat, and raw and cooked rabbit meat

Forty Californian×New Zealand rabbits (1kg initial body weight) were fed a control or a linseed isoenergetic diet containing 30g of extruded linseed/kg. Twenty rabbits for each dietary treatment were slaughtered at 11 weeks of age, at 35 days after the start of the experiment. Feeding the linseed diet increased (P<0.005) the content of 18:2n-3 in muscles, perirenal fat, and raw and cooked meat. The long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents were also increased (P<0.01) in the meat. The linseed diet produced a robust decrease in the n-6/n-3 ratio. Cooking did not alter n-3 PUFA more than saturated fatty acids (SFA) or monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). However, n-6 PUFA were altered by cooking. The oxidative stability of Longissimus dorsi was not affected by the linseed diet, even after 300min of forced-oxidation. Inclusion of linseed in rabbit diets is a valid method of improving the nutritional value of rabbit meat.     

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on the growth performance of chickens and ducks for fattening and fatty acid composition of breast meat

The effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on feed intake, growth performance, carcass composition and fatty acid composition of meat tissue were investigated in broiler chickens and Pekin ducks. A total of 108 male chickens for fattening and a total of 96 male and 96 female Pekin ducks were allocated to 3 dietary treatments (0.0, 0.1 and 0.2 % CLA) and fed for 35 or 49 days. The results showed that 0.2 % CLA supplementation in the first 3 weeks improved the daily feed intake of the broilers and the feed to gain ratio, but did not significantly influence body weight, weight and the percentage of abdominal and visceral fat as well as the intramuscular fat in breast muscles. In the duck trial, the daily feed intake was significantly higher through the first 3 weeks of male control group and male 2 g CLA group compared with the female control group. The daily weight gain of all male ducks was significantly higher compared to female ducks of all groups and was not influenced by the CLA supplementation. The feed to gain ratio of the 1 g CLA-male ducks was lowest compared to male and female control ducks and 1 and 2 g CLA female ducks. Supplementing diets with CLA modified the fatty acid composition of breast muscle. The proportion of CLA was increased in broiler meat. In duck meat, the proportions of CLA, saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids were increased and monounsaturated fatty acids were decreased.     

Influence of the type of forage supplied to ewes in pre- and post-partum periods on the meat fatty acids of suckling lambs

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of forage diets (grazing vs. hay) around the time of ewe parturition, on the fatty acids profile of suckling lamb meat (10-12 kg body weight). Forty-eight multiparous single-bearing ewes were used. The experimental treatments were conducted during the last 5 weeks of pregnancy and the 5 weeks of lactation in a 2 × 2 factorial design. Ewes were fed ad libitum on pastures or hay in the autumn. Results showed that milk from grazing ewes during the pre-partum period had a higher content of PUFA and CLA (P < 0.05) and VA, CLA in their suckling lambs' meat (P < 0.05). The effect in post-partum feeding was greater, revealing higher CLA, PUFA/SFA, PUFA n-3 and PUFA n-6/n-3 in milk and meat (P < 0.05). The CLA, VA and PUFA n-6/n-3 ratios are those that are most affected by grazing. Pre-partum grazing, regardless of post-partum feeding, improves FA composition, increasing CLA content in both milk and meat.     

FATTY ACID COMPOSITION IN TISSUES OF MICE FED DIETS CONTAINING CONJUGATED LINOLENIC ACID AND CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID

The influence of 1% alpha-eleostearic acid (α-ESA, cis9,trans11,trans 13-18:3) and 1% punicic acid (PA, cis9,trans11,cis13-18:3) on fatty acid composition in mouse tissues was compared with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, mixture of primarily cis9,trans11- and trans10,cis12-18:2) in the present study. The content (% total fatty acids) of 18:2n-6 was significantly reduced in the heart and adipose tissues, and total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and n-6 PUFA were significantly reduced in adipose tissue by α-ESA, PA and CLA feeding. The content of 22:6n-3 and total n-3 PUFA were significantly increased in the liver, kidney and heart by PA feeding, but not by α-ESA. In contrast to PA, supplementation with CLA significantly decreased 22:6n-3 in the liver, kidney and heart. The content of 20:4n-6 was significantly decreased in the liver and kidney by CLA feeding, but not by α-ESA and PA. The present results indicate that α-ESA, PA and CLA have differential effects on 22:6n-3 and 20:4n-6 content in mouse tissues.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA), a group of octadecatrienoic acid isomers with a conjugated triene system, has been reported to exhibit favorable physiological effects, including anticancer properties and regulation of lipid metabolism. Punicic acid and alpha-eleostearic acid, two isomers of CLnA, have been shown to convert into cis 9, trans 11-18:2 in vivo . The effect of CLnA on fatty acid composition in mouse tissues was investigated in comparison with CLA mixtures in the present study. The data obtained here could provide information for the potential application of CLnA-containing seeds as functional food ingredients, a natural source of endogenously formed cis 9, trans 11-18:2 and a dietary feeding strategy to beneficially modify the fatty acid composition of animal tissues.     

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids in muscle lipids of lambs from the Patagonian area of Argentina

The concentrations of fatty acids were measured in total lipids, triacyglycerol and phospholipid fractions of intramuscular fat (IMF) from the Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle of 10 lambs reared to approximately 30kg live weight on natural pasture with their dams. Fatty acid composition was also measured in 25 (five of each) Semitendinosus (ST), Semimembranosus (SM), Rectus femoris (RF), Gluteus (GLU) and Tensor fascia latea (TFL) muscles. Intramuscular fat percentages were similar for all muscles. Aspects of the fatty-acid patterns of relevance to human nutrition tended to favor the leg muscles with lower saturated fatty acids (SFA %), n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratios (p<0.01) and higher concentrations of the conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (p<0.05). The estimated fatty acid concentrations (mg/100g of meat) showed higher contribution of arachidonic (C20:4 n-6), eicosapentanoic (C20:5 n-3), docosapentanoic (C22:5 n-3) and docosahexanoic (C22:6 n-3) acids in leg compared to LD lipids.     

四种牛羊乳粉脂质的比较

目的:比较分析普通牛、羊乳粉和有机牛、羊乳粉的脂质特点。方法:以普通牛乳粉、普通羊乳粉、有机牛乳粉和有机羊乳粉为研究对象,采用氯仿-甲醇法提取乳粉中的脂质,氨丙基硅胶固相萃取小柱分离得甘油三酯和磷脂,利用猪胰脂酶专一水解甘油三酯分子的1,3位脂肪酸得Sn-2甘油一酯,磷脂酶A₂水解磷脂得Sn-2脂肪酸,然后通过气相色谱分析甘油三酯和磷脂的脂肪酸组成和含量及其位置分布,超高液相色谱联用质谱分析甘油三酯构型,高效液相色谱测定磷脂分子组成及含量和胆固醇含量。结果:羊乳粉脂质含量、甘油三酯含量和磷脂含量均高于牛乳粉,且普通乳粉较有机乳粉高;乳粉中饱和脂肪酸主要为棕榈酸,单不饱和脂肪酸主要为油酸,且普通羊乳粉含量显著高于其余三种乳粉（P<0.05）;n-6系列多不饱和脂肪酸普通羊乳粉中含量最高,n-3系列多不饱和脂肪酸在有机羊乳粉中含量最高。四种乳粉Sn-2位脂肪酸为饱和脂肪酸,且月桂酸、肉豆蔻酸和棕榈酸更倾向于分布在甘油三酯Sn-2位上,棕榈酸也更倾向于分布在磷脂Sn-2位上。四种乳粉的中链甘油三酯（Medium Chain Triglycerides,MCT）主要由Ca-Ca-Ca(Ca:C_10:0)和Ca-Ca-La(La:C_12:0)组成,羊乳粉较牛乳粉高;中长链甘油三酯（Medium-and Long-chain Triglycerides,MLCT）含量较高的为Ca-Ca-P（P:C_16:0）、Ca-Ca-O(O:C_18:0)和La-M-P(M:C_14:0),羊乳粉MLCT含量显著高于牛乳粉（P<0.05）;LCT含量最高的为O-P-O（O:C_18:0）。结论:羊乳粉的脂质比牛乳粉更易被吸收。与普通乳粉相比,有机乳粉安全更有保障,且有机乳粉含有更高的n-3 PUFA,营养价值更高。     

大足黑山羊不同部位肌肉脂肪酸比较研究

为研究大足黑山羊不同部位肌内脂肪、脂肪酸含量和组成方面的差异,以处于相同饲喂条件且体质量相近的6 只5 月龄大足黑山羊为研究对象,分别利用索式抽提法和气相色谱-质谱联用法测定背最长肌和臂三头肌肌内脂肪含量和脂肪酸组成。结果表明：大足黑山羊背最长肌中肌内脂肪含量为3.2%,臂三头肌为3.0%,背最长肌略高于臂三头肌;大足黑山羊背最长肌和臂三头肌各检测出33 种脂肪酸,2 个部位各脂肪酸含量基本一致,但与背最长肌相比,臂三头肌反油酸（C18:1 n-9t）含量较高,而介子酸（C22:1）含量较低;16 种饱和脂肪酸中,仅十七碳酸（C17:0）含量背最长肌极显著高于臂三头肌（P＜0.01）;17 种不饱和脂肪酸中,4 种脂肪酸在不同部位间存在显著差异,背最长肌二十碳烯酸（C20:1）含量极显著高于臂三头肌（P＜0.01）,油酸（C18:1 n-9c）含量显著高于臂三头肌（P＜0.05）,臂三头肌反油酸（C18:1 n-9t）含量极显著高于背最长肌（P＜0.01）;臂三头肌和背最长肌中不同种类脂肪酸相对含量：单不饱和脂肪酸＞饱和脂肪酸＞多不饱和脂肪酸＞中链脂肪酸,臂三头肌和背最长肌中饱和脂肪酸和单不饱和脂肪酸相对含量之和分别为88.4%和86.3%;臂三头肌和背最长肌中n-3/n-6值相近且均在3.0左右;背最长肌多不饱和脂肪酸与饱和脂肪酸含量比值（P/S）为0.45,臂三头肌P/S值为0.41,背最长肌高于臂三头肌。说明不同部位大足黑山羊肉脂肪酸含量及组成存在差异,并可能在一定程度上影响肉的风味及营养价值。     

Indoor fattening of lambs raised on pasture: 2. Influence of stall finishing duration on triglyceride and phospholipid fatty acids in the longissimus thoracis muscle

Twenty-four male Ile-de-France lambs (six blocks of homologous lambs) were used to study the effect of four feeding systems on muscle triglyceride (TG) and phospholipid (PL) fatty acids (FA) from the longissimus thoracis (LT): raised and finished on cool season grasses (G), raised on the same grasses and stall-finished, indoors, on concentrates and hay, respectively, for 22 (GSS) and 41 days (GSL), and stall-feeding, indoors, on concentrate and hay during both growing and finishing periods (S). In TG, similar decreases (P<0.05) of proportions of linolenic acid were observed after changing from grass feeding to stall feeding (GSS and GSL), and a decrease (P<0.05) in proportions of conjugated C18:2 cis9, trans11 (CLA cis9, trans11) was obtained after a long period of concentrate feeding (GSL). In PL, C22:5 n-3 achieved a significantly (P<0.05) lower level in GSL lambs compared both G and S lambs. A similar non-significant tendency was observed in the case of the other very long chain n-3 polyunsaturated FA. The separate analysis of fatty acids of TG and PL from the LT muscle underlined that TG afforded a more significant lowering effect than PL on the overall ratio between C18:2 n-6 and C18:2 n-3 in muscle lipids and on the health potential of meat for the consumer. A PCA analysis combining FA composition of TG and PL, and growth performances of the lambs allowed an efficient discrimination between the four feeding systems.     

Effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid on the growth performance of chickens and ducks for fattening and fatty acid composition of breast meat

The effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplementation on feed intake, growth performance, carcass composition and fatty acid composition of meat tissue were investigated in broiler chickens and Pekin ducks. A total of 108 male chickens for fattening and a total of 96 male and 96 female Pekin ducks were allocated to 3 dietary treatments (0.0, 0.1 and 0.2?% CLA) and fed for 35 or 49?days. The results showed that 0.2?% CLA supplementation in the first 3?weeks improved the daily feed intake of the broilers and the feed to gain ratio, but did not significantly influence body weight, weight and the percentage of abdominal and visceral fat as well as the intramuscular fat in breast muscles. In the duck trial, the daily feed intake was significantly higher through the first 3?weeks of male control group and male 2?g CLA group compared with the female control group. The daily weight gain of all male ducks was significantly higher compared to female ducks of all groups and was not influenced by the CLA supplementation. The feed to gain ratio of the 1?g CLA-male ducks was lowest compared to male and female control ducks and 1 and 2?g CLA female ducks. Supplementing diets with CLA modified the fatty acid composition of breast muscle. The proportion of CLA was increased in broiler meat. In duck meat, the proportions of CLA, saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids were increased and monounsaturated fatty acids were decreased.     

Conjugated Linoleic Acid and Fatty Acid Composition of Yogurt Produced from Milk of Cows Fed Soy Oil and Conjugated Linoleic Acid

ABSTRACT: Yogurt was processed from milk from Holstein cows whose diets were supplemented with soy oil (5%) and/or conjugated linoleic acids (CLA, 1%) to determine the effect of processing and dietary supplementation on CLA and fatty acid composition. Processing and storage for 7 d did not significantly affect CLA or fatty acid composition. CLA contents of milk and yogurt increased 2.8- and 2-fold by soy oil and CLA supplementation, respectively. Contents of saturated fatty acids decreased and trans -octadecenoic acids increased with the soy-oil-supplementation. The addition of CLA to soy-oil-supplemented diets did not significantly affect the CLA and fatty acid composition of the yogurt.     

Effects of breed and a concentrate or grass silage diet on beef quality in cattle of 3 ages. I: Animal performance, carcass quality and muscle fatty acid composition

An increase in the intake of the n-3 series polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is recommended by nutritionists for the human diet and beef is a significant source of these fatty acids. Enhancing the n-3 PUFA content of beef is important in view of the generally saturated nature of fatty acids in ruminant meats and the potentially negative effect this can have on human health. This study examined the effects of breed and diet on the fatty acid composition of beef M. longissimus. Ninety-six steers were used, 48 Aberdeen Angus cross (AA) and 48 Holstein-Friesian (HF). At 6months of age, 3 groups were identified, to be slaughtered at 14, 19 and 24months, respectively. Each group consisted of eight steers of each breed fed on a concentrate or a grass silage diet, rich in n-6 and n-3 PUFA, respectively. The intake of the concentrate diet was restricted so that steers of each breed grew at a similar rate on each diet. The early maturing AA produced heavier, fatter carcasses with better conformation. Animals fed grass silage had higher carcass fatness and conformation scores and higher levels of neutral lipid and total lipid in muscle than those fed concentrate. When all animals were pooled, a decline in PUFA% as total muscle lipid increased was evident. Feeding a grass silage diet rich in α-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) increased levels of this fatty acid in muscle neutral lipid by a factor of about 3.0 compared with the concentrate diet, as well as enhancing the synthesis of the n-3 series long-chain C20-22 PUFA in the phospholipid fraction, including docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3). In contrast, both levels and proportions of linoleic acid (18:2n-6) and the n-6 series C20-22 PUFA were higher in animals fed the concentrate diet. The proportions of 18:1trans and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in muscle neutral lipid were higher in animals fed concentrate compared with silage in all 3 groups. This was partly due to increased consumption of 18:2n-6. The ratio of PUFA to saturated fatty acids (P:S) in muscle was reduced by feeding grass silage, partly as the result of increased fat deposition. However, the increase in levels of n-3 series fatty acids with silage-feeding resulted in beneficially low n-6:n-3 ratios in muscle in all age groups (approximately 1.2 compared with 12.0 in the concentrate diet). Subtle breed differences in PUFA amounts and proportions were noted. Holstein-Friesians had higher proportions of PUFA and higher P:S ratios compared with AA, partly due to a higher proportion of phospholipid in total lipid. In phospholipid itself, HF in the 19 and 24months groups had higher proportions of most n-3 PUFA. In all age groups the ratio of DHA to its precursor, 18:3n-3 was higher in HF.     

Influence of inclusion of chestnut in the finishing diet on fatty acid profile of dry-cured ham from Celta pig breed

The effect of the inclusion of chestnut in the finishing diet on fatty acid profile of dry-cured Celta ham was studied. Twelve hams of each type (from three different diets: concentrate, mixed and chestnut) were used. Significant differences between treatments (P<0.001) were found regarding total saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Ham samples from the mixed and chestnut groups had less SFA (35.57% and 35.63%, respectively) with respect to ham samples from the concentrate group (40.33%), while hams from the mixed and chestnut batches showed higher values of MUFA than hams from the concentrate group (50.70 vs. 49.79 vs. 43.85, P<0.001, respectively). From a nutritional point of view, Celta hams from chestnut diets could be considered as healthier regarding their fatty acid profiles (low n-6/n-3 ratio and high hypocholesterolemic/Hypercholesterolemic ratio). Discriminant analysis selected five variables (C(16:0), C(16:1cis-9), C(20:2), C(20:3n-6) and C(20:4n-6)) and calculated two discriminating functions which verifies the presence of chestnut in the finishing diet.