Feeding Algae Meal to Feedlot Lambs with Competent Reticular Groove Reflex Increases Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Meat

Pilar Gómez-Cortés,Francisco Peña Blanco,Miguel Angel De La Fuente,Nieves Núñez-Sánchez,Francisco Requena Domenech,Andrés L Martínez Marín

doi:10.3390/foods10020366

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of supplementing marine algae as a source of omega-3 fatty acids (FA) in the diet, mixed in the concentrate or bottle-fed, on intramuscular fat FA composition of lambs with competent reticular groove reflex (RGR). Forty-eight feedlot lambs were distributed in three equal groups: one group did not consume marine algae nor had competent RGR, the second group received a daily dose (2.5%) of algae meal in the concentrate and the last group consumed the same dose of algae meal emulsified in milk replacer and bottle-fed. Marine algae raised the contents of EPA, DPA, and mainly DHA in the intramuscular fat, but the increase was significantly higher when algae meal was administered with a bottle via RGR. This strategy could contribute to improvements in the marketing of lamb meat by optimizing its status as a healthier food.

Highlights

The nutritional importance of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids (FA) EPA, DPA and DHA in human nutrition is out of question, because of the long-term health benefits of their consumption, mainly prevention of cardiovascular diseases and better visual and neurological development and improvements in chronic inflammatory conditions [1,2]
In order to obtain a regular supply of preformed EPA and DHA in the human diet, it should include foods from marine origin, which are naturally enriched in those FA [4]
Intramuscular fat from lambs is usually poor in omega-3 FA [6]

Summary

Introduction

The nutritional importance of the long chain omega-3 fatty acids (FA) EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, 20:5), DPA (docosapentaenoic acid, 22:5) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, 22:6) in human nutrition is out of question, because of the long-term health benefits of their consumption, mainly prevention of cardiovascular diseases and better visual and neurological development and improvements in chronic inflammatory conditions [1,2]. In order to obtain a regular supply of preformed EPA and DHA in the human diet, it should include foods from marine origin, which are naturally enriched in those FA [4]. Ovine meat is usually perceived as unhealthy due to its high levels of saturated FA (SFA) [5]. Intramuscular fat from lambs is usually poor in omega-3 FA [6]

Objectives

Methods

Results