Effects of Allium mongolicum Regel and its extracts supplementation on the growth performance, carcass parameters and meat quality of sheep

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Allium mongolicum Regel (AM) and AM extracts on the growth performance, carcass parameters and meat quality of sheep. Forty sheep were randomly divided into four groups. The groups consisted of CON (basal diet), AM water extract (AWE; basal diet + 3.4 g/sheep/day AWE), AM ethanol extract (AEE; basal diet + 2.8 g/sheep/day AEE) and AM (basal diet + 10 g/sheep/day AM). The average daily gain (ADG) was improved (p < .05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) was decreased (p < .05) in AWE, AEE and AM compared to CON. The loin eye area (LEA) and intramuscular fat (IMF) percentage were improved (p < .05) and cooking loss (CL) was decreased (p < .05) in AM, AWE and AEE compared to CON. The water holding capacity (WHC) was improved (p < .05) in AM and AWE compared to CON. The Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) was decreased (p < .05) in AWE and AEE compared to CON. The levels of Σ polyunsaturated fatty acid (ΣPUFA) was increased (p < .05) and Σ saturated fatty acids (ΣSFA) was decreased (p < .05) in AM, AWE and AEE compared to CON. The levels of C18:1t-9, C18:1t-10 and C18:1t-11 were increased (p < .05) in AM and AEE compared to CON. The levels of C16:0 and n6/n3 ratio were decreased (p < .05) and levels of Δ9-desaturase C16 and elongase enzymatic activity were improved (p < .05) in AWE and AEE compared to CON. In conclusion, supplementation with AM and AM extracts could increase the growth performance, carcass quality traits and some healthier fatty acids. Highlights Allium mongolicum Regel extracts increased average daily gain and decreased feed conversion ratio, improves carcass parameters in sheep. Allium mongolicum Regel extracts increased fat content in the Longissimus dorsi muscle. Allium mongolicum Regel extracts had beneficial effects on the fatty acid composition in the Longissimus dorsi muscle.