Effect of Condensed Tannins in Lotus uliginosus cv. E-Tanin and/or Extracts of Quebracho and Chestnut in Carcass and Lamb Meat

Abstract

The effect of condensed tannins (CT) in the pasture (Lotus uliginosus cv. E-Tanin) and/or quebracho and chestnut extracts on lamb carcass and meat quality was evaluated. Two experiments were conducted in consecutive years with 60 crossbreed lambs each year. The animals were stratified by live weight (LW) and randomly assigned to the treatments: white clover grazing (WC); WC plus concentrate supplementation (WC + C); WC plus concentrate supplementation and quebracho and chestnut extract (WC + C + CT); Lotus uliginosus grazing (E-Tanin); E-Tanin plus concentrate supplementation (E-Tanin + C); E-Tanin plus concentrate supplementation plus quebracho and chestnut extract (E-Tanin + C + CT); with two repetitions each year. Pasture type affected loin weight, which was greater (P < 0.05) in lambs grazing WC than E-Tanin. Meat color redness (a*) was greater (P < 0.05) in supplemented treatments with C (with or without CT) than those exclusively grazing. Intramuscular fat content was not affected (P > 0.05) by the pasture, the supplementation, or the year. The proportion of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (C20:3-n6) was greater (P < 0.05) in lambs grazing E-Tanin compared to WC. Supplementation affected (P < 0.05) the saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) proportions, and the omega 6:omega 3 ratio. Estimation of dry matter intake under grazing conditions would allow a better understanding of the effect of CT on carcass and meat quality.