Fish oil in feeds for entire male and female pigs: Changes in muscle fatty acid composition and stability of sensory quality

A total of 72 crossbred [(Norwegian Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc] male and female growing-finishing pigs were restrictedly fed diets containing fish oil to study the fatty acid composition of Musculus longissimusdorsi and sensory quality of belly and neck. Six diets were used: two low-fat diets with or without 0.5% fish oil added, and four medium-fat diets with palm kernel oil to fish oil in ratios given as % inclusion: 4.1:0.0, 3.9:0.3, 3.6:0.5 and 3.4:0.7. Feeding fish oil gave a dose-dependent response between fatty acids in the diets and in the M.longissimusdorsi and increased the level of very long chain n−3 fatty acids, especially the C22:5n−3 (DPA). A more efficient n−3 fatty acids deposition was obtained when given as a medium-fat diet rather than the low-fat diet. Female pigs had a significant higher percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids and C18:1 than males suggesting a gender related difference in the delta-9-desaturase activity. No significant differences were found in sensory attributes for short-term stored neck and belly. For pigs fed the highest level of fish oil (0.7%) long-term stored (12 months at −80 °C, 6 months at −20 °C) belly showed a slight increase in fish oil flavour. After warmed-over treatment, fish oil odour and flavour as well as rancid flavour were increased in this group. The results suggest levels of dietary fish oil up to 0.5% produce a healthier meat fatty acid composition, without negative effects on sensory attributes, even in long-termed stored belly.     

The impact of dietary oil source and frozen storage on the physical,chemical and sensorial quality of fillets from market-size red hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis sp.

Red hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis sp.) were fed one of four diets containing either fish oil, crude palm oil, palm fatty acid distillates or refined palm olein as the only added oil. Post-harvest fillet quality was then evaluated at 1, 10 and 30 weeks of frozen storage. Dietary oil source did not significantly (p > 0.05) influence the liquid holding capacity and texture of fillets but both these parameters were increased by frozen storage. Fillets from fish fed palm oil-based diets exhibited significantly higher oxidative stability during frozen storage, compared to fish fed the fish oil diet. Dietary oil source and frozen storage had little impact on sensory attributes. Unlike fillet proximate composition, fillet fatty acid composition was significantly affected by both diet and frozen storage. Total n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased significantly in the fillet lipids of all fish after 30 weeks of frozen storage.     

EFFECTS OF ANTIOXIDANTS AND PROCESSING ON STABILITY OF MUSCLE FROM HYBRID STRIPED BASS WITH OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS

Hybrid striped bass were fed four diets containing 0, 4, 8, and 12% menhaden fish oil (MFO) for 18 weeks during final growth to determine (1) omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid uptake and its effect on fish and postharvest quality, and (2) the effects of selected antioxidants on oxidation and sensory quality of fish enhanced with n-3 fatty acids. Lipid content was significantly higher in the two highest MFO treatments: 3.2, 3.5, 3.9 and 4.4% in the 0, 4, 8 and 12% MFO treatments, respectively. During this study EPA(eicosapentaenoic acid) significantly increased with increasing dietary MFO: 5.4 ± 0.93, 6.9 ± 0.15, 8.0 ± 0.45 and 8.1 ± 0.35 for the 0, 4, 8 and 12% MFO diets, respectively. The following fatty acids in muscle increased 1% or more in fish fed 12% MFO compared to fish fed 0% MFO: 14:0, 16:1n-7, 22:6n-3, and total polyunsaturates, total n-3, and the n-3/n-6 ratio. Changes in individual fatty acids in fish muscle reflected the concentrations of fatty acids in the diet. Hybrid striped bass fed 8 and 12% MFO had twice as much n-3 fatty acids (1.0 g/100 g tissue) as fish cultured on diets without MFO     

Performance, carcass traits, muscle fatty acid composition and meat sensory properties of male Mahabadi goat kids fed palm oil, soybean oil or fish oil

This study examined the effect of palm, soybean or fish oils on the performance, muscle fatty acid composition and meat quality of goat kids. Twenty-four male Mahabadi kids (BW=19.4±1.2kg) were divided into three groups according to liveweight and randomly allocated to one of three diets. Animals were fed ad libitum for 84days. Different dietary fat sources had no effect on performance and/or carcass quality attributes. The soybean oil diet decreased 16:0 and 18:0 concentrations and increased 18:2 and 18:3 and the ratio of PUFA/SFA in the muscle compared with other treatments. Fish oil feeding increased 20:5 n-3 and 22:6 n-3 concentrations and decreased the ratio of n-6/n-3 in the muscle. The results demonstrate that the use of fish oil is a nutritional strategy to improve the health claimable long-chain omega-3 fatty acid content and n-6/n-3 ratio in goat meat without changing the sensory properties or colour of meat.     

Feeding oleamide to lactating Jersey cows. 2. Effects on nutrient digestibility, plasma fatty acids, and hormones

Six lactating Jersey cows were used in a 6 x 6 Latin square with 14-d periods to evaluate different ratios of canola oil and oleamide on nutrient digestibility, plasma fatty acids, and plasma hormones. The control diet contained no added fat. All other diets contained 3.5% added fat consisting of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% as oleamide and the remainder as canola oil. Data were collected during the final 4 d of each period. Dry matter intake was reduced by the addition of canola oil to the diet, and further reduced by replacing canola oil with oleamide. Milk yield was not affected by diet but increasing oleamide proportion in the fat supplement caused linear increases in cis-C18:1 and linear decreases in C4 to C16 fatty acids in milk. Adding canola oil reduced total tract digestibilities of fiber and fatty acids, but had no effect on the digestibilities of dry matter or protein. Replacing canola oil with oleamide increased protein digestibility linearly, and increased digestibility of fiber (quartic relationship) and fatty acids (quadratic relationship). Oleic acid concentration in plasma increased by adding canola oil to the diet, and was further increased by replacing canola oil with oleamide. Diet had no effect on plasma concentrations of insulin or IGF-I. Oleamide fed to Jersey cows in this study was highly digestible and had no deleterious effects on total tract digestility of fiber or protein. Increasing oleic acid concentration in plasma lipids while maintaining a constant level of added fat in the ration had no effect on circulating concentrations of insulin or IGF-I in Jerseys.     

Dietary combination of fish oil and taurine decreases fat accumulation and ameliorates blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetic/obese KK-A(y) mice

n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and taurine are functional compounds abundantly present in seafoods. In this study, we examined the combined effects of EPA- and DHA-rich fish oil and taurine on white adipose tissue (WAT) weight and blood glucose levels in diabetic/obese KK-A(y) mice. After a 4-wk administration of experimental diets (soybean oil or fish oil, supplemented with 0%, 2%, or 4% taurine), the increase in WAT weight of the mice fed the "fish oil + 4% taurine" diet was significantly suppressed compared to the "soybean oil + 4% taurine" and "fish oil only" diets. Serum triglycerides, free fatty acids, and total cholesterol levels decreased by fish oil administration. In addition, fish oil and taurine increased the activity of acyl-CoA oxidase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme of peroxisomal β-oxidation, increased in the liver of KK-A(y) mice. The activity of fatty acid synthase decreased by fish oil diets. Furthermore, blood glucose and insulin levels were significantly lower in the mice fed fish oil than in the soybean oil-fed mice. In fish oil + 4% taurine group, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia were effectively improved in KK-A(y) mice compared to the fish oil only groups. In particular, the combination of fish oil and taurine enhanced the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) distribution in the plasma membrane of muscle tissue. These results suggest that EPA- and DHA-rich fish oil, especially in combination with taurine, exhibits preventive effects on WAT weight gain and hyperglycemia in diabetic/obese KK-A(y) mice.     

Liquid holding capacity,texture and fatty acid profile of smoked fillets of Atlantic salmon fed diets containing fish oil or soybean oil

This study evaluates the effects of dietary vegetable oils on the liquid-holding capacity, texture properties and fatty acid composition of Atlantic salmon fillets. Three diets containing 100% of fish oil (FO), 100% of soybean oil (SO) or a 50/50 mixture of the two oils (FO/SO) as oil dietary source, were fed to triplicate groups of salmon. After slaughter, a third of the fish were studied fresh while the rest of fish were smoked and stored at two temperatures (4 °C or 14 °C) for 5 or 15 days. The liquid-holding capacity and the texture of fresh and smoked fillets were not significantly affected by dietary oil whereas the smoking yield increased with the inclusion of soybean oil. The fatty acid profile of fresh and smoked fillets reflected these of the diets, and no selective loss of fatty acids was observed after smoking and after storage. On the other hand, increased storage time and storage temperature reduced strongly the liquid-holding capacity of all smoked salmon particularly obvious as increased fat loss, irrespective of the diets. This study showed that an increase in storage time and temperature of smoked fillets of Atlantic salmon affected the liquid-holding capacity, irrespective of the diets.     

Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Camelina Oil on Porcine Blood Lipids

ABSTRACT: The effects of dietary supplementation with camelina oil on porcine plasma fatty acid composition and on serum cholesterol/triglyceride concentrations were investigated and compared with the effects of fish oil. The diets consisted of a control diet and diets supplemented with 5% camelina oil, 10% camelina oil and 5% fish oil. The camelina and fish-oil diets increased plasma ω3 fatty acids and reduced plasma ω6 fatty acids. Plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5ω3, EPA) was increased more by the fish oils diet than the camelina-oil diets. Serum triglyceride levels were reduced by the camelina-oil diets.     

Composition and flavor of milk and butter from cows fed fish oil, extruded soybeans, or their combination.

Milk was collected from eight multiparous Holstein and four multiparous Brown Swiss cows that were distributed into four groups and arranged in a randomized complete block design with four 4-wk periods. The four treatments included a control diet of a 50:50 ratio of forage-to-concentrate; a fish oil diet of the control diet with 2% (on dry matter basis) added fat from menhaden fish oil; a fish oil with extruded soybean diet of the control diet with 1% (on dry matter basis) added fat from menhaden fish oil and 1% (on dry matter basis) added fat from extruded soybeans; and an extruded soybean diet of the control diet with 2% (on dry matter basis) added fat from extruded soybeans. Milk from cows fed control, fish oil, fish oil with extruded soybean, and extruded soybean diets contained 3.31, 2.58, 2.94, and 3.47% fat, respectively. Concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid in milk were highest in the fish oil (2.30 g/100 g of fatty acids) and fish oil with extruded soybean (2.17 g/100 g of fatty acids) diets compared with the control (0.56 g/100 g fatty acids) diet. Milk, cream, butter, and buttermilk from the fish oil, fish oil with extruded soybean, and extruded soybean diets had higher concentrations of transvaccenic acid and unsaturated fatty acids compared with the controls. Butter made from the extruded soybean diet was softest compared with all treatments. An experienced sensory panel found no flavor differences in milks or butters.     

Flavour studies with fish meals and with fish oil fractions in broiler diets

Fish meals extracted with ethanol, benzene and/or warm water or acidified water were included in diets for broilers at 20 % levels, while in some instances certain amines, phospholipids from the fish oil extracted from fish meal (here called “residual” fish oil) and triglycerides from such fish oil were added to broiler diets singly or in different combinations. The experimental diets were given to broilertype chickens from their fifth week until they were slaughtered when 81/2 weeks old. Carcasses from the different treatment groups were subjected to organoleptic evaluation and the fatty acid make-up of the fat in the carcasses and of the oils in the fish meals, determined by gas chromatography. Carcasses of chickens which received diets containing fish meal extracted with the fat solvents consistently had a chicken flavour. When the diets contained fish meal extracted with warm water or a warm, weak, acid solution the carcasses had a neutral flavour. Unextracted fish meal and the triglyceride fraction of fish oil (at a 2.0 % level) in the diet invariably produced carcasses with a “fishy” taint. The phospholipid fraction of “residual” fish oil had no effect on carcass flavour while additional amines (trimethylamine, ethanolamine and choline) in the diet in most instances aggravated the foreign taint. The high correlation between flavour score and the levels of certain highly unsaturated fatty acids in the chicken carcasses was confirmed.     

Fish Oil Dietary Effects on Fatty Acid Composition and Flavor of Channel Catfish

A typical channel catfish diet was supplemented with 0, 1.5, and 3% menhaden oil. Fillets were subjected to lipid, fatty acid, and TBA analyses. After 6 mo storage at ?18°C, fillets were again analyzed for TBA value and flavor panel profile. Fillets from catfish fed diets with 1.5 and 3% supplemental fish oil had elevated levels of n-3 fatty acids (P<0.05). TBA number and off-flavor attributes were not affected by treatments. Menhaden oil supplementation up to 3% enhanced the content of n-3 fatty acids in channel catfish fillets without adversely affecting flavor attributes or storage quality.     

The effect of replacing dietary fish oil with canola oil on fatty acid composition and expression of desaturase and elongase genes in Jade Tiger hybrid abalone

This study investigates the effect of graded substitution of dietary fish oil (FO) with canola oil (CO) on fatty acid composition and expression of Δ-6 desaturase and elongase 2 genes in the muscle of Jade Tiger hybrid abalone. The control diet contained 1.5% FO supplement (0% CO). Four other diets contained FO/CO in ratios of 3:1 (CO 25%), 1:1 (CO 50%), 1:3 (CO 75%) and 100% CO. The result demonstrated that abalone fed the diets supplemented with 25% and 50% CO showed similarly high levels of total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) (P < 0.05) as the 0% CO group. The highest levels of total PUFA and total monounsaturated fatty acids were found in the 100% CO group (P < 0.05). The results also showed that Δ-6 desaturase and elongase 2 gene expression was increased in a graded manner by increasing dietary CO (P < 0.05). It was concluded that replacement of FO by CO at the levels of 25-50% can improve the contents of health-benefiting EPA and DHA in abalone.     

Effect of dietary fish oil on fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation and sensory property of chicken frankfurters during storage

Broilers fed with three levels of fish oil (0, 2 and 4%) for 6 weeks were used in the manufacture of chicken frankfurters. The meat samples were vacuum-packed and stored at 0°C for 0, 10, 20 and 30 days. Cooking yield, proximate and fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation, microbial and sensory properties of the meat products were measured. Cooking yield, moisture, fat, protein, ash and cholesterol contents of frankfurters were not affected (P>0.05) by levels of dietary fish oil. Frankfurters processed from chickens fed diets enriched with 2 and 4% of supplemental fish oil had a higher (P<0.05) level of n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), but had a lower level of n-6 fatty acids (P<0.05) than the controls (0% fish oil). TBA values and pH values of meat samples were not affected (P>0.05) by levels of supplemental fish oil in the diets, however, pH values of the vacuum-packaged chicken frankfurters decreased (P<0.05) as the storage time increased. No differences (P>0.05) in total anaerobic plate counts were observed among the fish oil treatments during storage. Supplementation of 2 and 4% fish oil in the diets did not increase (P>0.05) the intensity of fishy flavor in chicken frankfurters.     

Composition and properties of milk and butter from cows fed fish oil

A control diet and a fish oil diet were fed to 12 multiparous Holstein cows to determine how the incorporation of Menhaden fish oil in the diet would influence the fatty acid composition, especially the conjugated linoleic acid and transvaccenic acid, contents of milk and butter. The control diet consisted of a 50:50 ratio of forage to concentrate, and the fish oil diet consisted of the control diet with 2% (on a dry matter basis) added fish oil. Milk from cows fed the control diet contained higher average concentrations of milk fat (3.37%) compared with milk from cows fed the fish oil diet (2.29%). Milk from cows fed fish oil contained higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid, transvaccenic acid, and total unsaturated fatty acids (0.68 and 2.51; 1.42 and 6.28; and 30.47 and 41.71 g/100 g of fat, respectively). Butter made from the fish oil diet milk also had higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid, transvaccenic acid, and unsaturated fatty acids. Penetrometer readings indicated fish oil diet butters were softer at 4 and 20 degrees C than the control diet butters. Acid degree values were similar in the fish oil butters compared with the control butters. No significant difference was found in the flavor characteristics of milk and butter from cows fed the control and fish oil diets. Production of milk and butter with increased amounts of conjugated linoleic acid, transvaccenic acid, and other beneficial fatty acids may have a desirable impact on the health of consumers and lead to increased sales.     

Feeding oleamide to lactating Jersey cows 1. Effects on lactation performance and milk fatty acid composition

Oleamide was previously reported to resist ruminal biohydrogenation and elevate milk oleic acid concentration when fed to lactating Holstein cows. To determine if Jersey cows responded similarly to oleamide, four lactating Jersey cows (mean 417 kg of body weight and 64 days in milk) were fed four diets in a 4x4 Latin square with 2-wk periods. Diets were total mixed ration containing 47% corn silage and 53% concentrate (dry matter basis) and were supplemented with no added fat (control), or with 3.5% added fat from either higholeic canola oil, a commercial source of oleamide, or oleamide synthesized from oleic acid and urea. The canola oil supplement had no effect on milk yield or composition. Compared to canola oil, the oleamide supplements reduced milk yield, dry matter intake, and milk fat and protein contents. Milk oleic acid concentration increased from 17.4% of total fatty acids for the control diet to 22.1% for the canola oil diet. Both oleamides further increased milk oleic acid to 30.0 and 27.1% of total fatty acids for the commercial and synthesized oleamides, respectively. Milk palmitic acid was reduced and stearic acid was increased by all fat supplements but more so by the oleamides than by the canola oil. Consistent with previous reports that fatty acyl amides resist ruminal biohydrogenation, feeding oleamide to Jersey cows in this study increased milk oleic acid concentration but had negative effects on feed intake and milk yield.     

Influence of dietary fish oil on conjugated linoleic acid and other fatty acids in milk fat from lactating dairy cows

Lactating cows were fed menhaden fish oil to elevate concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid, transvaccenic acid, and n-3 fatty acids in milk. Twelve multiparous Holstein cows at 48+/-11 DIM were assigned randomly to a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square. Each treatment period was 35 d in length, with data collected d 15 to 35 of each period. On a dry matter (DM) basis, diets contained 25% corn silage, 25% alfalfa hay, and 50% of the respective concentrate mix. Fish oil was supplemented at 0, 1, 2, and 3% of ration DM. Linear decreases were observed for DM intake (28.8, 28.5, 23.4, and 20.4 kg/d) and milk fat (2.99, 2.79, 2.37, and 2.30%) for 0 to 3% dietary fish oil, respectively. Milk yield (31.7, 34.2, 32.3, and 27.4 kg/d) increased as dietary fish oil increased from 0 to 1% but decreased linearly from 1 to 3% dietary fish oil. Milk protein percentages (3.17, 3.19, 3.21, and 3.17) were similar for all treatments. When the 2% fish oil diet was fed, concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid and transvaccenic acid in milk fat increased to 356% (to 2.2 g/ 100 g of total fatty acids) and 502% (to 6.1 g/100 g), respectively, of amounts when 0% fish oil was fed. There were no additional increases in these fatty acids when cows were fed 3% fish oil. The n-3 fatty acids increased from a trace to over 1 g/100 g of milk fatty acids, when the 3% fish oil diet was fed. Fish oil supplementation to diets of dairy cows increased the conjugated linoleic acid, transvaccenic acid, and n-3 fatty acids in milk.     

Effects of different forms of canola oil fatty acids plus canola meal on milk composition and physical properties of butter

Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were used in a 16-wk trial. A block of 10 cows received a control diet, based on corn silage, and the other block of 10 cows successively received four diets with 1) an extruded blend of canola meal and canola seeds, 2) canola meal and whole canola seeds, 3) canola meal and ground canola seeds, or 4) canola meal and calcium salts of canola oil fatty acids. Canola fat represented about 2% of dietary dry matter. Compared to control cows, treated cows had similar dry matter intake, milk production, and daily milk output of true protein or fat. Protein contents of milk was decreased by all treatments, with a lower effect of extruded or whole canola seeds. Milk fat contents was lowered by all treatments, extruded seeds and calcium salts resulting in most important effects. All treatments lowered the percentage of fatty acids with 12 to 16 carbons in milk fat, increased C18:0 and cis-C18:1 percentages, and the proportion of liquid fat in butter between 0 and 12 degrees C. Calcium salts and, to a lesser extent extruded seeds, resulted in most important improvements of milk fatty acid profile and butter softness, whereas whole seeds had low effects.     

Milk production and composition from cows fed small amounts of fish oil with extruded soybeans

Eight Holstein (189 ± 57 DIM) and 4 Brown Swiss (126 ± 49 DIM) multiparous cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square with 28-d periods to determine the minimal dietary concentration of fish oil necessary to maximize milk conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and vaccenic acid (VA). Treatments consisted of a control diet with a 50:50 ratio of forage to concentrate (dry matter basis), and 3 diets with 2% added fat consisting of 0.33% fish oil, 0.67% fish oil, and 1% fish oil with extruded soybeans providing the balance of added fat. Dry matter intake (23.1, 22.6, 22.8, and 22.9 kg/d, for control, low, medium, and high fish oil diets, respectively) was similar for all diets. Milk production (21.5, 23.7, 22.7, and 24.2 kg/d) was higher for cows fed the fat-supplemented diets vs. the control. Milk fat (4.42, 3.81, 3.80, and 4.03%) and true protein (3.71, 3.58, 3.54, and 3.55%) concentrations decreased when cows were fed diets containing supplemental fat. Concentration of milk cis-9,trans-11 CLA (0.55, 1.17, 1.03, and 1.19 g/100 g of fatty acids) was increased similarly by all diets containing supplemental fat. Milk VA (1.12, 2.47, 2.13, and 2.63 g/100 g of fatty acids) was increased most in milk from cows fed the low and high fish oil diets. Milk total n-3 fatty acids were increased (0.82, 0.96, 0.92, and 1.01 g/100 g of fatty acids) by all fat-supplemented diets. The low fish oil diet was as effective at increasing VA and CLA in milk as the high fish oil diet, showing that only low concentrations of dietary fish oil are necessary for increasing concentrations of VA and CLA in milk.     

Partial substitution of pork fat with canola oil in Toscana sausage

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the effects of pork fat substitution with canola oil in Toscana sausage. Canola oil was incorporated into the product via lipid emulsion with water and collagen. The physicochemical and sensory parameters and fatty acid profiles were evaluated in five treatments with different canola oil concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0%). The prepared sausages met the legal identity and quality standards, with no significant differences detected in the variables moisture, ash content, lipid, pH, colour and weight loss due to cooking (P > 0.05). We observed a significant increase in the linolenic fatty acid content (omega-3 series). In the sensory evaluation, a significant difference was observed only for the texture variable. Pig fat substitution with 10% canola oil in the Toscana sausage exhibited the best physicochemical properties and fatty acid profile.Industrial relevanceVegetable oils have been used in meat products as an alternative to improve their lipid profiles. The amount of fat and the lipid profiles of meat products are the most important factors for product quality and consumer health. Our understanding of the relationship between the intrinsic food quality and health is gradually increasing, and as a result, a revolution has occurred in eating habits. Therefore, an innovative product for a healthier consumer market has been created to meet the challenges of animal fat substitution on the organoleptic characteristics of Toscana sausage.     

Effect of oil sources and vitamin E levels in the diet on the composition of fatty acids in rooster thigh and chest meat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of different oil sources and dietary supplementation with vitamin E on the composition of fatty acids in rooster meat. Two hundred and forty 30‐week‐old White Leghorn roosters were distributed in a completely randomized factorial arrangement of 5 × 2, using five oil sources (sunflower, soybean, canola, linseed and fish) and two levels of antioxidant (30 and 400 mg vitamin E kg^?1 of diet). The intake of fish and canola oil in the diet reduced (P < 0.05) the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the thigh meat. Amongst the unsaturated fatty acids in the thigh, the fish and canola oil reduced (P < 0.05) the level of ω6 fatty acid, with a consequent decrease in the ratio ω6:ω3. The diet with fish oil increased (P < 0.05) the content of C22:6ω3 in the thigh meat. The use of linseed oil resulted in a significant reduction of the ratio of ω6:ω3 fatty acid in the thigh. The use of soybean oil in the diet increased (P < 0.05) the content of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the thigh, specifically in the content of ω6. The inclusion of vitamin E increased the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the chest meat, such as C18:3ω3, C20:5ω3 and C22:6ω3. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry