Fatty acids in intramuscular fat of Ile de France lambs in two different production systems.

Milan Margetín,Jana Margetínová,Marta Oravcová,Róbert Kubinec

doi:10.5194/aab-61-395-2018

Abstract

The fatty acid (FA) composition in the intramuscular fat (IMF) of the musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) of Ile de France purebred lambs in two different production systems in Slovakia was evaluated using gas chromatography. In the first production system, lambs and ewes were assigned to pasture without access to concentrates (P). In the second system, lambs and ewes were confined indoors with hay/silage and access to concentrates (S). An analysis of variance with the following factors was employed: production system, sex, and production system–sex interactions. The proportions of arachidonic, eicosapentaeonic, docosapentaeonic, and docosahexaenoic FAs, i.e. long-chain polyunsaturated FA (PUFA), were significantly higher in P lambs (1.83, 0.82, 0.92, 0.29 g 100 g FAME, respectively) than in S lambs (0.45, 0.14, 0.30, 0.09 g 100 g FAME, respectively). The proportions of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), n-6 PUFA, n-3 PUFA, and essential FA (linoleic and -linolenic) were also significantly higher in P lambs (2.10, 8.50, 4.55, and 8.80 g 100 g FAME, respectively) than in S lambs (0.65, 3.27, 1.50, and 3.64 g 100 g FAME, respectively). The proportions of palmitic acid and myristic acid as important individual saturated FAs (SFA) were significantly higher in S lambs (28.51 and 8.30 g 100 g FAME, respectively) than in P lambs (21.80 and 5.63 g 100 g FAME, respectively). The proportion of all SFAs was also significantly higher in S lambs (57.87 g 100 g FAME) than in P lambs (48.70 g 100 g FAME). From a nutrition and human health point of view (i.e. higher proportions of PUFA, CLA, and essential FAs and lower proportions of SFAs), meat from P lambs was found to be more favourable and would be more highly recommended for consumption.

Highlights

IntroductionIn Slovakia, the breeding of meat and/or non-dairy dualpurpose sheep breeds that produce heavy lambs (carcass weight above 13 kg) is increasing
In Slovakia, the breeding of meat and/or non-dairy dualpurpose sheep breeds that produce heavy lambs is increasing
The ratio of polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA) / saturated FAs (SFA), in the context of human health, is recommended to be above 0.7, while the ratio of n-6 / n-3 PUFA is recommended to be below 4 (Simopoulos, 2002; Wood et al, 2003; Howes et al, 2015)

Summary

Introduction

In Slovakia, the breeding of meat and/or non-dairy dualpurpose sheep breeds that produce heavy lambs (carcass weight above 13 kg) is increasing. Regardless of lamb type, research around the world is aimed at assessing the quality of lamb meat with respect to evaluating the proportions of essential FAs (linoleic acid and α-linolenic acid) and other human health promoting FAs, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These FAs all belong to the polyunsaturated FAs (PUFA) group and are found in intramuscular and extramuscular fat (Aurousseau et al, 2007a, b; Mortimer et al, 2014; Ponnampalam et al, 2014).

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion