Total Lipids, Fatty Acid Composition, Total Cholesterol and Lipid-Soluble Antioxidant Vitamins in the longissimus lumborum Muscle of Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) from Different Production Systems of the Brazilian Eastern Amazon.

Vinícius Costa Gomes De Castro,Mónica Mendes Costa,Andréia Santana Bezerra,Jamile Andréa Rodrigues Da Silva,Cristina Mateus Alfaia,Laurena Silva Rodrigues,André Martinho De Almeida,José De Brito Lourenço-Júnior,José António Mestre Prates

doi:10.3390/ani12050595

Abstract

Simple SummaryThe constant search for higher living standards and better health makes consumers more aware of the nutritional compositions of foods. Water buffalo meat has so far been poorly characterized. In this work, we have analyzed the influence of different production systems in the Eastern Amazon on meat nutritional quality parameters of water buffalo. Meat nutritional value was improved when buffaloes were reared in Marajó Island extensive system during the rainy season, as it had lower levels of cholesterol and higher amounts of α-tocopherol, associated with a higher h/H ratio and a lower index of atherogenic. Also, this meat had lower levels of saturated fatty acids and higher amounts of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Overall, meat from buffaloes raised in pasture production systems showed better lipid nutritional quality.The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of distinct production systems and seasonal variation in the Brazilian Eastern Amazon on the meat lipid composition of water buffaloes. Water buffaloes were reared in commercial farms in the Eastern Amazon either in extensive systems (Marajó Island, Nova Timboteua and Santarém locations), during rainy or dry seasons, or intensive (feedlot) systems. Animals reared in extensive systems were fed natural pastures, and those reared in feedlots were fed sorghum silage and commercial pellets. Buffaloes were slaughtered and ribeye muscle (longissimus lumborum) samples collected. Lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamins and fatty acids were analyzed. The nutritional value of meat from buffaloes reared in Marajó Island extensive system during the rainy season was higher than that of other systems, as it had lower levels of cholesterol and higher amounts of α-tocopherol associated with higher hypocholesterolaemic/hypercholesterolaemic ratio and lower index of atherogenic. Also, this meat had lower percentages of saturated fatty acids and higher proportions of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), particularly n-3 PUFA, with increased PUFA/saturated fatty acids ratio and decreased n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. However, all extensive systems produced meat with a relatively low index of thrombogenicity values, which is advantageous for human health.

Highlights

In the Eastern Amazon region in Brazil, water buffaloes are, generally, extensively reared in pasture-based feeding systems, using four distinct pasture production systems: native pastures on the floodable lands of the Marajó Island; native pastures on the flood lands of the Lower and Mid Amazon micro-regions; native pastures on dry lands; and implemented pastures on dry lands in protected forest areas
It is concluded that the different Amazon production systems and seasonal periods affected meat composition regarding cholesterol, tocopherols and fatty acids from water buffalos
Among all production systems studied, the buffalo meat reared on the Marajó island during the rainy season seems to be the healthier option for human consumption as it has less cholesterol, more α-tocopherol, less saturated fatty acids (14:0 and 16:0) and higher amounts of MUFA and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (18:1; 18:3 n-6; 18:3n-3; 18:2c9,t11; 20:2n-6; 20:4n-6; 20:5n-3; 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3)

Summary

Introduction

In the Eastern Amazon region in Brazil, water buffaloes are, generally, extensively reared in pasture-based feeding systems, using four distinct pasture production systems: native pastures on the floodable lands of the Marajó Island; native pastures on the flood lands of the Lower and Mid Amazon micro-regions; native pastures on dry lands; and implemented pastures on dry lands in protected forest areas. In the latter production system, more productive pasture plants are used in herds formed by animals of higher genetic value and production traits [1–3]. It is well known that ruminant meats have high contents of saturated (SFA) (465–508 g/kg of total fatty acids) and monounsaturated (MUFA) (439–456 g/kg of total fatty acids) fatty acids and small amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (43.7–83.1 g/kg of total fatty acids) [5,6] due to the ruminal biohydrogenation of unsaturated fatty acids into saturated fatty acids [7]

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