Sofia van Harten1,2, Tanya Kilminster3, Timothy Scanlon3, John Milton4, Chris Oldham3, Johann Greeff3, André M Almeida1,2,5. 1. IICT - Instituto de Investigação Científica Tropical, Lisbon, Portugal. 2. CIISA - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, ULisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. 3. DAFWA - Department of Agriculture and Food, Government of Western australia, Perth, WA, Australia. 4. UWA - University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia. 5. ITQB/UNL - Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal and IBET - Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Muscle fatty acid profile reflects the body condition of animals and has a noticeable effect on meat quality. Herein, longissimus dorsi muscle of three different sheep breeds, Damara (a fat-tailed breed), Dorper and Australian Merino sheep, was analysed for fatty acid composition. The three breeds were subjected to two distinctive feeding levels (ad libitum and restricted feeding) over 42 days. RESULTS: The Damara sheep revealed several differences compared to the other two breeds, namely a higher concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can be related to being a fat-tailed breed. Even in restricted feeding conditions, this breed revealed the highest levels compared to Merino and Dorper sheep respectively, of linoleic acid (+31% and +28%), linolenic acid (+97% and +51%), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (+65% and +37%), docosapentanenoic acid (DPA) (+31% Merino) and dodosahexanenoic acid (DHA) (+63% and +77%). EPA, DPA and DHA are three omega-3 fatty acids, with described beneficial characteristics. CONCLUSION: With this work we show other qualities (higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, DPA and DHA) of Damara meat that might present this breed as an interesting alternative for animal production in semi-arid climates.
BACKGROUND: Muscle fatty acid profile reflects the body condition of animals and has a noticeable effect on meat quality. Herein, longissimus dorsi muscle of three different sheep breeds, Damara (a fat-tailed breed), Dorper and Australian Merinosheep, was analysed for fatty acid composition. The three breeds were subjected to two distinctive feeding levels (ad libitum and restricted feeding) over 42 days. RESULTS: The Damara sheep revealed several differences compared to the other two breeds, namely a higher concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can be related to being a fat-tailed breed. Even in restricted feeding conditions, this breed revealed the highest levels compared to Merino and Dorper sheep respectively, of linoleic acid (+31% and +28%), linolenic acid (+97% and +51%), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (+65% and +37%), docosapentanenoic acid (DPA) (+31% Merino) and dodosahexanenoic acid (DHA) (+63% and +77%). EPA, DPA and DHA are three omega-3 fatty acids, with described beneficial characteristics. CONCLUSION: With this work we show other qualities (higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, DPA and DHA) of Damara meat that might present this breed as an interesting alternative for animal production in semi-arid climates.
Authors: Thiago L A C de Araújo; Elzânia S Pereira; Ivone Y Mizubuti; Ana C N Campos; Marília W F Pereira; Eduardo L Heinzen; Hilton C R Magalhães; Leilson R Bezerra; Luciano P da Silva; Ronaldo L Oliveira Journal: J Anim Sci Biotechnol Date: 2017-05-22
Authors: André M Almeida; Rui G Palhinhas; Tanya Kilminster; Timothy Scanlon; Sofia van Harten; John Milton; Dominique Blache; Johan Greeff; Chris Oldham; Ana Varela Coelho; Luís Alfaro Cardoso Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-02-01 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Mariana Palma; Tim Scanlon; Tanya Kilminster; John Milton; Chris Oldham; Johan Greeff; Manolis Matzapetakis; André M Almeida Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2016-12-14 Impact factor: 4.379