Effect of Dietary Rapeseed Meal on Fatty Acid Profile of Lamb Carcass

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of feeding rapeseed (27%, DM basis) and sunflower biodiesel by-products as protein supplements on fatty acid composition (FA), profile (ratios and indices),enzyme activitiesfrom thecarcassin lambs fed cereal-based diets. Simultaneously, itwas examined the relationship between ingested FA and carcass FA. Samples were obtaine dfrommal efattened lambs (n=10, Bulgarian synthetic dairy population, 146-daged, final body weight FBW= 36.95±0.91 kg) involved attwoiso-caloric, iso-nitrogenous and equalin calcium: phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio dietary treatments: control–with sunflower meal (SFD) and experimental–with rapeseed meal (RSD). Lipids,extracted from carcasswere analyzed for FA profile. Animals feeding RSDhad significantly higher (P<0.01) performance (FBW=38.80 <em>vs.</em> 35.1 kg) and meat yield (5.26 <em>vs.</em> 4.67 kg). RSDincreased C18:3 (P<0.01) and C18:3 / CLA (P<0.05), butdecreased (P<0.01) C18:2 / C18:3 ratio compared with SFD. Deduced relationships between ingested dietary FA and carcassFA showsgood parity and high correlation (R>0.55). In conclusion, animals feeding RSD, as a method to modify carcassFAs, decreased the amount of saturated and polyunsaturated FA, and increased monounsaturated, total unsaturated and desirable FAs of carcass.