Influence of slaughter season, muscle type and gluconeogenesis precursors on intramuscular fat quality of ruminant meats
Year: 2012
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of slaughter season and muscle type on nutritional quality of intramuscular fat (IMF) in Mirandesa-PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) veal, Charneca-PDO beef and organic beef, assessing to the quality and status that may contribute to market differentiation. The results suggest that the IMF content of PDO veal, PDO beef and organic beef was slightly affected by the slaughter season but markedly changed by the muscle type. The meat analysed had a high nutritional value, with favourable ratios of n-6/n-3 and contents of n-3 PUFA and α-tocopherol. Some studies indicate that increasing the stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) expression and activity may significantly improve the nutritional quality of meat by decreasing the SFA content, while increasing rumenic acid content. This can be achieved by the administration of gluconeogenesis precursors, such as propylene glycol, which induces elevated propionate in the rumen and higher levels of blood insulin and glucose, resulting in the SCD activity elevation. Thus, the influence of dietary gluconeogenesis precursors (propylene glycol and calcium propionate mix; PP) and linseed oil on intramuscular fatty acid composition of lambs was assessed. Results suggest that gluconeogenesis precursors modify the biohydrogenation pathway and reduce the rumenic acid concentration. Linseed oil supplementation increased meat concentration of α-linolenic acid, as well as most of the C18 biohydrogenation intermediates, including vaccenic acid and rumenic acids. In conclusion, regarding the lipid composition of IMF, the studied PDO and organic meats have a high nutritional value, contributing to the consumer`s confidence on these products. The fatty acid profile of lamb’s IMF was slightly affected by PP, without clear effects on insulinaemia and delta-9 desaturation, demanding future research on this subject.
Author: Assunção, José Miguel Pestana
Language: Portuguese
Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W149336953