Meat quality and lipid profiles in crossbred lambs finished on clover-rich pastures

The Oxidative and Color Stability of Beef from Steers Fed Pasture or Concentrate during Retail Display

Beef production in Uruguay is based on pasture (~85%) or concentrate (~15%), resulting in differences in meat quality. The objective of this study was to compare the oxidative stability and color of beef from these two systems during refrigerated retail display. For these purposes, the Semimembranosus muscle was removed from ten Aberdeen Angus steers raised and fed on pasture (130 days prior to slaughter) and from another ten steers fed concentrate (100 days prior to slaughter), sliced. The muscles were placed in a refrigerated showcase for 3, 6, and 9 days. The contents of β-carotene, α-tocopherol, and fatty acids were determined before the meat was placed on display. Lipid and protein oxidation, color, and heme iron content were determined before and during display. The meat from pasture-fed steers had a lower intramuscular fat content (1.78 ± 0.15 vs. 4.52 ± 0.46), lower levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, a lower n-6/n-3 ratio, less lipid and protein oxidation, lower L* and a* values, and higher levels of α-linolenic acid, DHA, total n-3, β-carotene, and α-tocopherol. In conclusion, the meat from pasture-fed steers was more stable during retail display from an oxidative point of view, which may be due to its higher levels of antioxidant compounds such as β-carotene and α-tocopherol and had a healthier fatty acid profile for consumers.

Review of Feeding Systems Affecting Production, Carcass Attributes, and Meat Quality of Ovine and Caprine Species

Growth rate, carcass attributes, and meat quality traits of small ruminants (i.e., sheep and goats) depend on various factors, among which the feeding system is one of the most important factors. However, how feeding systems affect these parameters differ between sheep and goats. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate the differences in how different feeding systems affect the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of sheep and goats. It also explored the effects of a new finishing strategy-time-limited grazing with supplements on these traits. Compared with stalled feeding, finishing lambs/kids on pasture-only feed reduced the average daily gain (ADG) and carcass yield, while supplemented-grazing lambs/kids had near-equivalent or higher ADG and carcass attributes. Pasture-grazing increased the meat flavor intensity and healthy fatty acid content (HFAC) of lamb/kid meat. Supplemental grazing lambs had comparable or superior meat sensory attributes and increased meat protein and HFAC compared to stall-fed ones. In contrast, supplemental grazing only improved the meat color of kids but had little effect on other meat qualities. Moreover, time-limited grazing with supplemental concentrates increased the carcass yield and meat quality in lamb meat. Overall, the effects of different feeding systems on growth performance and carcass traits were comparable between sheep and goats but differed in terms of the meat quality.

Effects of Marinades Prepared from Food Industry By-Products on Quality and Biosafety Parameters of Lamb Meat

This study aimed to develop marinade formulas based on by-products from the dairy, berry, and fruit industries and apply them to lamb meat (LM) treatments to improve the safety and quality characteristics of the meat. To fulfil this aim, six marinade (M) formulations were created based on acid whey (AW) fermented with Lacticaseibacillus casei (Lc) and Liquorilactobacillus uvarum (Lu), either alone or combined with freeze-dried apple (AP) or blackcurrant (BC) pomace. The most appropriate fermentation times for the marinades were selected according to the lower pH values and higher viable LAB counts in the samples. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity of the selected marinades against pathogenic and opportunistic bacterial strains was tested. The characteristics of the LM were analysed after 24 and 48 h of treatment, including physicochemical, technological, and microbiological parameters, as well as overall acceptability. It was established that, after 48 h of fermentation, all of the tested marinades, except M-AWLuBC, had lactic acid bacterial counts > 8.0 log10 CFU·mL−1 and pH values < 3.74. The broadest spectra of pathogen inhibition were observed in the M-AWLuAP and M-AWLuBC marinades. The latter formulations improved the water holding capacity (WHC) and overall acceptability of the LM, while, in the LM-AWLcAP samples, histamine, cadaverine, putrescine, tryptamine, and phenylethylamine were not formed. Lastly, LM treatment with the M-AWLcAP and M-AWLuAP formulas for 48 h achieved the highest overall acceptability (9.04 and 9.43), tenderness (1.53 and 1.47 kg·cm−2) and WHC (2.95% and 3.5%) compared to the control samples.

Fatty acid profile and sensory properties of lamb meat from males of five indigenous breeds

Abstract. The objective of this study was to determine meat quality characteristics, fatty acid profiles, and sensory characteristics of 50 single-birth male lambs from five breeds: Artlı (n=10), Çepni (n=10), Hemşin (n=10), Karayaka (n=10), and Of (n=10). At the beginning of the experiment, the average age and weight of the lambs were 120 ± 5 d and 30.7 ± 0.68 kg respectively. After 60 d of intensive fattening, the average live weight before slaughter was 40.96 kg ± 0.76 kg. All evaluations were performed on samples from the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle. There was no difference between breeds in terms of the pH values of the hot carcasses, whereas the cold carcass pH values were higher (P<0.001) in Hemşin animals than in the other breeds. Meat chemical properties (such as organic matter; dry matter; and fat, measured as the ether extract), physical properties (such as cooking loss; drip loss; and water-holding capacity, WHC), and instrumental values (such as colour, L* and b* values, chewiness, hardness, and resilience) were significantly affected by breed differences. Additionally, the differences between breeds were found to be significant in terms of the fatty acid composition and the evaluation of organoleptic properties, such as sensory characteristics, flavour, and juiciness of cooked (boiled or roasted) meat. The results show that lamb meat's physical, chemical, and sensory properties vary by breed. The differences found in the composition and presence of meat fatty acids between and within breeds can be used as a source of variation for future genetic improvement strategies.

Fatty acids, health lipid indices, and cholesterol content of sheep meat of three breeds from Moroccan pastures

The lipid analysis of commercial lamb's meat, from two main Moroccan production areas Middle Atlas and highlands of eastern Morocco, was conducted. This study concerns the lipid quality of sheep meat from Beni Guil (BG) and Timahdite (Ti) as indigenous breeds and that of the Ouled Djellal (ODj) breed of Algerian origin. To study the effect of the geographical area, the meat samples from the Beni Guil breed were taken in the two main locations of this breed: in the region of Ain Beni Mathar (BGA) and that of Tendrara (BGT). The fatty acid profiles of the sheep meats analyzed showed the following: (i) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) richness was of 12.87 % and 20.59 % respectively for BGA and BGT breeds; (ii) polyunsaturated  /  saturated fatty acid ratios were ranged between 0.28 to 0.50 respectively for BGA and Ti breed; and (iii) PUFA- n - 3 content was 1.71 % for ODj breed and 2.13 % for BGA. Thus, the PUFA- n - 6   /  PUFA n - 3 ratios range between 4.92 and 9.6 for BGA and Ti sheep meat, respectively. The cholesterol content was 0.08 % and 0.12 % of fresh meat respectively for ODj and BGA. Finally, meats of BGA and ODj have similar thrombogenicity (1.23 and 1.27 respectively) and atherogenicity indices (0.71 and 0.68 respectively). Statistically, these values were significantly higher than those registered for Ti breed (IT: 1.04 and AI: 0.51). In conclusion, from a nutritional point of view, it can be deduced that these meats have an interesting lipid quality due to their richness in desirable fatty acid (UFA  +  C18 : 0).

Meat of South American camelids - Sensory quality and nutritional composition

Meat contains a range of nutrients in a highly bioavailable form and when meat is excluded from the diet, without being replaced with suitable alternatives, nutrient deficiencies may occur. For this reason, it is very important to extend our knowledge of nutrients in alternative red meats, such as that provided from the South American camelids- llama and alpaca. This review summarises the current information on the nutritional and sensory parameters of llama and alpaca meat and factors affecting quality. South American camelids produce lean carcases, with an uneven fat distribution across the carcase. Llama and alpaca meat quality traits are mostly influenced by animal nutrition, animal age and processing methods. A feeding strategy based on pasture and hay supplement of barley and alfalfa, and processing younger animals (18 months) has improved the fatty acid composition respectively in llama and alpaca meat, whereas meat colour and tenderness are influenced by processing treatments including electrical stimulation, tenderstretching and enzymatic infusion.

Meat quality, fatty acids, volatile compounds, and antioxidant properties of lambs fed pasture versus mixed diet

The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of feeding regimens (pasture vs. mixed diet) on meat quality, fatty acids, volatile compounds, and antioxidant properties in lamb meat. In total, 24 lambs were allotted into two feeding regimens at 10.23 kg live weight. Lambs were fed on pasture grass (PG group, n = 12) or mixed diet (M group, n = 12). Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle samples from the M group had a higher intramuscular fat (IMF) (p < 0.05), pH45minvalue (p < 0.01), and ash (p < 0.05) than the PG group. In contrast, the shear force (p < 0.05), L*(p < 0.05), and b* (p < 0.001) in M group were lower than in PG group. Analyses indicated that PG group contained higher linolenic acid (C18:3n3) and docosatrienoic acid (C22:3n6) (p < 0.05) than the M group. Major volatile compounds in the muscles included hexanal, heptanal, nonanal, octanal, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 1-octen-3-ol, and 2,3-octanedione. The levels of hexanal, nonanal, and 2,3-octanedione were significantly lower in PG lamb muscle (p < 0.01). In contrast, 1-pentanol and 1-hexanol levels were higher in M lamb muscle (p < 0.01). Muscle from PG lamb exhibited higher catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (p < 0.05). PG muscle also contained a higher radical-scavenging ability (RSA; p < 0.001) and cupric-reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC; p < 0.05). Overall, the improved antioxidant status in PG muscle inhibited lipid peroxidation (aldehydes and ketones), thereby improving the meat quality.

Effect of Texel crossbreeding on productive traits, carcass and meat quality of Segureña lambs

BACKGROUND

The present study aimed to assess the effect of crossbreeding a local breed (Segureña, S × S) with Texel as the sire line (Texel × Segureña crossbred, T × S) on productive traits and meat quality attributes. Sixty-eight lambs (both males and females) from each genotype, weaned at about 45 days old and intensively fed with concentrates and cereal straw ad libitum until they were 72 days old, were used to assess productive traits, and ten animals from each genotype were used to assess meat quality.

RESULTS

The crossbreeding with Texel improves productivity, with a greater weight at birth (+1 kg) and at slaughter (+3 kg) and a greater average daily gain (+29 g). T × S lambs had a better conformation, less carcass fatness, and higher content of muscle (+45 g kg^-1 ) as opposed to a lower fat content (-50.6 g kg^-1 ). With regard to meat quality, crossbreeding with Texel provided a meat with a higher protein content (+4 g kg^-1 ) and a lower oleic acid content (21% less), although the differences were very scarce from a sensory point of view, and non-existent with respect to instrumental quality.

CONCLUSION

Crossbreeding could comprise a useful tool in the production of ovine meat in local breeds, such as Segureña, within the Mediterranean Area, and, consequently, a way of increasing the profitability of the farms. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

The polymorphisms of genes associated with the profile of fatty acids of sheep

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of polymorphisms in Diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGTA-1 and 2), Fatty acid synthase (FASN), Stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) genes and the Thioesterase domain of FASN (TE-FASN) gene that may be related to the lipid profile. In the experiment, a total of 84 sheep from different genetic groups were used. For the evaluation of the polymorphism of the genes, PCR-Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) technique and subsequent sequencing were used. In DGAT-2 gene, four genotypes were identified with the presence of 6 polymorphisms, with two (c.229T> C; c.255T> C) that resulted into the exchange of phenylalanine by leucine. In FASN gene, two genotypes were identified. In TE-FASN gene, three genotypes and 17 polymorphisms were identified. DGAT-1 and SCD genes did not reveal the occurrence of polymorphism. There was difference in relation to C14: 0, C18: 0 fatty acids and Δ9-desaturase C18 for DGAT-2 gene and of C18: 2ω6t for TE-FASN. There were differences among the genetic groups for C10: 0, C12: 0, C17: 0, C18: 2ω6t, C18: 3ω3, C20: 2, total of ω3, ω3/ω6 and atherogenicity index. There is occurrence of polymorphism of DGAT-2 and TE-FASN genes and these should be further studied in sheep since they revealed influence of the genotypes on the fatty acid profile.

Effects of olive-cake supplementation on fatty acid composition, antioxidant status and lipid and meat-colour stability of Barbarine lambs reared on improved rangeland plus concentrates or indoors with oat hay plus concentrates

The effects of feeding system (indoor vs rangeland) and olive-cake (OC) supplementation (control vs supplemented) on fatty acid (FA) composition, lipid oxidation status and meat-colour stability were studied. Lambs were fed indoor with hay (OH) or reared on improved rangeland (RL). All lambs received concentrate at a rate of 400 g/head.day. Twenty-four 6-month-old Barbarine lambs with an average weight of 24.3 ± 1.1 kg were assigned into the following four groups: OH without OC, OH with OC, RL without OC and RL with OC. Supplemented groups received 280 g/day of OC. Lambs were reared for ~3 months and then slaughtered at 33 kg. Feeding lambs on rangeland increased proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA, P < 0.05), n-3 PUFA (P < 0.01) and long-chain n-3 PUFA (P < 0.01) and decreased those of C16:0 and monounsaturated fatty acids (P = 0.052). Higher PUFA : saturated FA (SFA) (P < 0.001) and lower n-6 : n-3 PUFA (P < 0.01) ratios were found for RL lambs. The peroxidisability index was higher (P = 0.024) for RL lambs. Whereas, a lower malondialdehyde concentration (P < 0.001) was found for meat of RL group after 5-day storage, because of a higher vitamin E concentration (P < 0.001) and catalase activity (P = 0.002). Moreover, colour was more stable for meat of RL lamb. OC supplementation reduced only superoxide dismutase activity (P = 0.033) and did not have any effect on lipid peroxidation and colour stability. No interactions were noted between the feeding system and olive-cake supplementation. Meat lambs produced on rangeland had a healthier fatty acid composition. Lipids were more stable to oxidation than was meat produced indoor with hay and concentrate.

Effects of dietary inclusion of high concentrations of crude glycerin on meat quality and fatty acid profile of feedlot fed Nellore bulls

Crude glycerin, the main by-product of biodiesel production, can replace dietary energy sources, such as corn. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of up to 30% of crude glycerin in dry matter (DM) of the total diets, and its effects on meat quality parameters of feedlot Nellore bulls. Thirty animals (227.7 ± 23.8 kg body weight; 18 months old) were housed in individual pens and fed 5 experimental diets, containing 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 or 30% crude glycerin (DM basis). After 103 d (21 d adaptation) animals were slaughtered and the Longissimus muscle was collected. The characteristics assessed were chemical composition, fatty acid profile, cholesterol, shear force, pH, color, water-holding capacity, cooking loss and sensory properties. The increasing inclusion of crude glycerin in the diets did not affect the chemical composition of the Longissimus muscle (P > 0.10). A quadratic effect was observed when levels of crude glycerin were increased, on the concentration of pentadecanoic, palmitoleic and eicosenoic fatty acids in meat (P < 0.05), and on the activity of the delta-9 desaturase 16 and delta-9 desaturase 18 enzymes (P < 0.05). The addition of crude glycerin increased the gamma linolenic fatty acid concentration (P < 0.01), and altered the monounsaturated fatty acids in Longissimus muscle of animals (P_quad. < 0.05). Crude glycerin decreased cholesterol content in meat (P < 0.05), and promoted higher flavor score and greasy intensity perception of the meat (P < 0.01). The inclusion of up to 30% crude glycerin in Nellore cattle bulls`diets (DM basis) improves meat cholesterol and sensory attributes, such as flavor, without affecting significantly the physical traits, the main fatty acid concentrations and the chemical composition.

An overview of the nutritional value of beef and lamb meat from South America

The southern region of South America, a subtropical and temperate zone, is an important region for the production of beef and lamb meat, which is mainly produced in extensive pasture-based systems. Because of its content in highly valuable nutrients such as iron, zinc, selenium, fatty acids, and vitamins, meat is a unique and necessary food for the human diet in order to secure a long and healthy life, without nutritional deficiencies. Beef and lamb production systems based on temperate or tropical grasslands show interesting and, in some cases, a differential content in minerals, fatty acids and vitamins. This review deals with the distinctive aspects of the nutritional quality of beef and lamb meat produced in this region in terms of nutritional composition and the bioavailability of key nutrients related to its contribution for a healthy diet for all ages.

Fatty acid profile of plasma, muscle and adipose tissues in Chilota lambs grazing on two different low quality pasture types in Chiloé Archipelago (Chile)

There is no information about the effect of different pasture types on tissue fatty acid profiles of a native rustic lamb breed of the Chiloe Archipelago, the Chilota. Eight Chilota lambs were grazed on a 'Calafatal' pasture (CP), a typical secondary succession of Chiloé Archipelago (Chile) and eight Chilota lambs were located to graze on naturalized pasture (NP) of Chiloé. Botanical, chemical and lipid composition of the two types of pastures and of different lamb tissues (muscle, subcutaneous - and tail adipose tissues) and plasma were performed. Both pasture types induced high n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and CLAcis-9,trans-11 proportions in Chilota meat. Thus, in muscle, Chilota lambs grazing CP showed higher sum PUFA, sum n-6 PUFA proportion and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio compared with Chilota lambs grazing NP. In tail fats of Chilota lambs grazing CP significantly higher proportions of 18:3n-3, sum saturated fatty acids, sum PUFA, n-3 and n-6 PUFA were detected compared with Chilota lambs grazing NP. Feeding of different pasture types (CP vs. NP) caused significant differences in fatty acid composition of muscle and the two fat depots in Chilota lambs, but also point to tissue-specific responses of de novo synthesized fatty acid deposition in the tissues.