Work

Supplementation of flaxseed oil and niacinamide to liquid-based diets in improving fatty acid composition and lamb meat quality

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objective: Flaxseed oil (FO) contains high α-linolenic acid (ALA), whereas niacinamide may modulate lipid metabolism; however, their supplementation effects in liquid diets for lambs are limited. This study evaluated the effects of a liquid-based diet supplemented with FO and niacinamide on the growth performance, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid (FA) composition of lambs. Methods: Twenty-seven Garut crossbred lambs were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments in a randomized block design (n = 9). The dietary treatments included a control liquid diet (T0), T0 supplemented with 4% FO (T1), and T1 supplemented with 800 mg/kg niacinamide (T2). The feeding intervention lasted 70 days, consisting of a 14-day adaptation period followed by a 56-day experimental period. We evaluated the lambs' growth performances, blood metabolite profiles, carcass characteristics, meat qualities, and FA profiles of their Biceps femoris (BF) muscle. Results: None of the dietary treatments tested significantly affected (p>0.05) dry matter intake, average daily gain, gross energy intake, feed-to-gain ratio (F/G), and blood metabolite profile. This supplementation also had a tendency (p<0.10) to increase dressing percentages and reduce (p<0.05) intramuscular fat (IMF), and increased water-holding capacity (WHC). Moreover, FO alone increased (p<0.05 ALA, total n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), total PUFA, and the PUFA-to-saturated fatty acid (SFA) ratio in meat, while decreasing the n-6/n-3 ratio and thrombogenicity index. Additionally, the dietary supplementation of FO with niacinamide maintained these favorable changes in FA profile. Conclusion: Our study concluded that FO supplementation in liquid diets can improve the nutritional quality of lamb meat through the addition of n-3 in FO. Moreover, supplementing 4% FO with 800 mg/kg niacinamide can reduce IMF and improve WHC without compromising growth performance.

Source: Animal Bioscience

DOI: 10.5713/ab.260656

Authors: Dilla Mareistia Fassah, M. Farhan Hilmy Adeliza, Dewi Apri Astuti, Nuri Andarwulan, Kasita Listyarini, Sulistiani Munggaran

Institution: IPB University

Language: English

Topic: Meat and Animal Product Quality

Subfield: Animal Science and Zoology

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $700