Dietary Pomegranate Pulp: Effect on Ewe Milk Quality during Late Lactation

Feeding pomegranate pulp to Ghezel lambs for enhanced productivity and meat quality

Agrifood by-products contain nutrients and bioactive compounds that can be used in the diets of livestock - thereby value-adding to an otherwise waste product of environmental and economic significance. This study investigated the effect of dietary pomegranate pulp in the total mixed ration of Ghezel lambs, evaluating its effect on growth performance, blood parameters, carcass traits, as well as meat quality and shelf life. 3-month-old Ghezel lambs (individually housed, n = 8) were randomly assigned to be either non-supplemented (control) or supplemented with 100 g/kg DM of sun-dried pomegranate pulp for 28 days, post-adjustment. Results showed that supplementation of lamb diets with pomegranate pulp significantly increased liveweight and average daily gains, while not significantly affecting dry matter intake. Lamb serum urea and alkaline phosphatase concentrations and hot carcass weight were increased with pomegranate pulp supplementation. Compared to control lambs, the meat from lambs fed the supplemented diet had higher concentrations of intramuscular fat, mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acid, total unsaturated fatty acid, and meat phenolic compounds. Pomegranate pulp supplemented lambs also had a higher ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids; and produced liver tissue with less fat and ash contents. Meat oxidative status (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance) and quality (water holding capacity, colour, and pH) were improved when lambs were supplemented with pomegranate pulp. These findings demonstrate that using pomegranate pulp as a feed for Ghezel lambs has advantageous effects on animal performance and meat quality, offering valorisation of an agrifood by-product.

Nutritional Quality and Socio-Ecological Benefits of Mare Milk Produced under Grazing Management

This review discusses the scientific evidence that supports the nutritional value of mare milk and how its properties are essentially achieved when mares are managed under grazing conditions. Mare milk's similarity with the chemical composition of human milk makes this food and its derived products not only suitable for human consumption but also an interesting food regarding human health. The contribution of horse breeding under grazing management to other socio-ecological benefits generated by equine farms is also highlighted. Both the high added value of mare milk and the socio-ecological benefits derived from pasture-based systems could be explored to improve the performance of equine farms located in arid and semi-arid areas or in regions with moderately harsh environmental conditions as equids have a strong adaptation capacity.

Effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum) anthelmintic treatment on milk production in dairy sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes

Anthelmintic drug resistance has proliferated across Europe in sheep gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs). Sheep welfare and health are adversely impacted by these phenomena, which also have an impact on productivity. Finding alternatives for controlling GINs in sheep is thus of utmost importance. In this study, the anthelmintic effectiveness (AE) of a Calabrian ethnoveterinary aqueous macerate based on Punica granatum (whole fruits) was assessed in Comisana pregnant sheep. Furthermore, an examination, both qualitative and quantitative, was conducted on milk. Forty-five sheep were selected for the investigation. The sheep were divided by age, weight, physiological state (pluripara at 20 days before parturition), and eggs per gram of feces (EPG) into three homogeneous groups of 15 animals each: PG received a single oral dosage of P. granatum macerate at a rate of 50 mL per sheep; AG, treated with albendazole, was administered orally at 3.75 mg/kg/bw; and CG received no treatment. Timelines were as follows: D0, treatments, group assignment, fecal sampling, and AE assessment; D7, D14, D21, fecal sampling, and AE evaluation. The FLOTAC technique was used to evaluate the individual GIN fecal egg count (FEC) using a sodium chloride flotation solution (specific gravity = 1.20) and 100 × (1-[T2/C2]) as the formula for evaluating FEC reduction. Following the lambs' weaning, milk was collected on the following days (DL) in order to quantify production: DL35, DL42, DL49, DL56, DL63, DL70, DL77, and DL84. The amount of milk produced by every animal was measured and reported in milliliters (ml) for quantitative evaluations. Using MilkoScan TM fT + foss electric, Denmark, the quality of the milk (casein, lactose, protein concentration, and fat, expressed as a percentage) was assessed. The macerate demonstrated a considerable AE (51.8%). Moreover, its use has resulted in higher milk production rates quantitatively (15.5%) and qualitatively (5.12% protein, 4.12% casein, 4.21% lactose, and 8.18% fat). The study showed that green veterinary pharmacology could be the easiest future approach to counteracting anthelmintic resistance in sheep husbandry.

Valorization of Olive Mill Byproducts: Recovery of Biophenol Compounds and Application in Animal Feed

This study aimed to recover the phenols from olive oil mill wastewater, a major pollutant of the oil industry, by using spray-drying technology to produce a new feed with a nutraceutical value for animal feed supplementation and to evaluate its effect on the productivity and nutritional quality of ewe milk. Forty-five Sarda ewes in late lactation (150 ± 2 d) and with homogeneous live weight (52 ± 1.5 kg) were randomly allotted into three groups and fed with three dietary treatments containing increasing levels of polyphenols: 0% (C), 0.1% (T0.1), and 0.2% (T0.2) of dry matter. No effect of the dietary treatments was found on the milk yield and composition. Interestingly, milk urea content (p < 0.0001) and somatic cell counts (p < 0.001) decreased as the level of polyphenols inclusion in the diet increased. The inclusion of phenols (0.2% of dry matter) in the diet of sheep was effective in increasing the vaccenic (C18:1 trans-11) and rumenic acid (C18: cis-9 trans-11) levels, which are beneficial for human health. Finally, the recovery of polyphenols via spray-drying technology and their incorporation into a new fortified feed can be a valid strategy for naturally improving the nutritional value of milk while valorizing an oil industry byproduct, reducing environmental impact, and promoting waste reuse that is in line with circular economy principles.

Polymorphisms at Candidate Genes for Fat Content and Fatty Acids Composition: Effects on Sheep Milk Production and Fatty Acid Profile Using Two Dietary Supplementations

The nutritional value of sheep's milk and its derivatives is influenced by the lipid fraction, which is affected by diet and genetics. This study aimed to explore the genetic variations in the DGAT1 and SCD genes and assessed the impact of the DGAT1 genotype on milk quality in Valle del Belìce sheep, considering diet supplementation with carob pulp and barley grain. Among the potentially polymorphic sites, only DGAT1 g.127 C > A and SCD g.87 C > A showed variability. The DGAT1 genotype did not significantly impact milk yield and composition, except for higher urea content in the CA genotypes than in the CC ones. Carob pulp increased the milk fat content compared to barley grain. Genetic variation in DGAT1 was associated with changes in the milk fatty acid profile; specifically, the CA genotype exhibited higher levels of short-chain fatty acids and lower levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to the CC genotype. Carob pulp supplementation increased saturated fatty acids and reduced unsaturated fractions, leading to milk with higher atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. No significant interaction was found between genotype and diet. This study provides insights into the genetic and dietary factors influencing sheep's milk composition. Further research is needed to understand the impact of these genetic variations on milk production and composition, as well as to determine optimal levels of carob pulp for improving fat percentage and promoting sustainable sheep breeding practices.

Feeding and Nutritional Factors That Affect Somatic Cell Counts in Milk of Sheep and Goats

The purpose of this quantitative review is to highlight the effects of feeding strategies using some mineral, vitamin, marine oil, and vegetable essential oil supplements and some agri-food by-products to reduce SCCs in the milk of sheep and goats. According to the results, only specific dietary factors at specific doses could reduce SCCs in the milk of dairy sheep and goats. The combination of Se and vitamin E in the diet was more effective in sheep than in goats, while the inclusion of polyphenols, which are also present in food matrices such as agro-industrial by-products, led to better results. Some essential oils can be conveniently used to modulate SCCs, although they can precipitate an off-flavoring problem. This work shows that SCCs are complex and cannot be determined using a single experimental factor, as intramammary inflammation, which is the main source of SC in milk, can manifest in a subclinical form without clinical signs. However, attention to mineral and vitamin supplementation, even in the most difficult cases, such as those of grazing animals, and the use of anti-inflammatory substances directly or through by-products, can improve the nutritional condition of animals and reduce their SCCs, offering undeniable benefits for the milk-processing sector as well.

The effect of oral use of concentrated pomegranate juice by mothers on hyperbilirubinemia in neonates under phototherapy: A randomized clinical trial

Background

Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in neonates that causes hospitalization. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of concentrated pomegranate juice (CPJ) consumption by breastfeeding mothers on neonatal hyperbilirubinemia.

Materials and Methods

In this open-labeled, add-on, randomized clinical trial, 86 breastfeeding mothers and their neonates were allocated into two groups. In the control group, neonates received phototherapy. Besides neonates' phototherapy in the intervention group, their mothers received CPJ (1 tablespoon [15 g] three times a day) up to discharge. The bilirubin level was the primary outcome. The duration of phototherapy, the duration of hospital stay, and the need for exchange transfusions were secondary outcomes.

Results

CPJ reduced the bilirubin level of hospitalized neonates within 48 h after consumption (P = 0.048, standard mean difference = 0.648). It also resulted in reduced duration of hospital stay and faster discharge of the neonates. Furthermore, in 48 h after discharge, bilirubin was significantly lower in the CPJ group (P = 0.003, partial eta squared = 0.123).

Conclusion

Compared to the control group, consumption of CPJ by lactating mothers whose infants underwent phototherapy resulted in lower bilirubin levels, shorter hospital stay, and faster discharge.

Grape, Pomegranate, Olive, and Tomato By-Products Fed to Dairy Ruminants Improve Milk Fatty Acid Profile without Depressing Milk Production

The continuous increase in the cost of feeds and the need to improve the sustainability of animal production require the identification of alternative feeds, such as those derived from the agro-industrial sector, that can be effectively used for animal nutrition. Since these by-products (BP) are sources of bioactive substances, especially polyphenols, they may play an important role as a new resource for improving the nutritional value of animal-derived products, being effective in the modulation of the biohydrogenation process in the rumen, and, hence, in the composition of milk fatty acids (FA). The main objective of this work was to evaluate if the inclusion of BP in the diets of dairy ruminants, as a partial replacement of concentrates, could improve the nutritional quality of dairy products without having negative effects on animal production traits. To meet this goal, we summarized the effects of widespread agro-industrial by-products such as grape pomace or grape marc, pomegranate, olive cake, and tomato pomace on milk production, milk composition, and FA profile in dairy cows, sheep, and goats. The results evidenced that substitution of part of the ratio ingredients, mainly concentrates, in general, does not affect milk production and its main components, but at the highest tested doses, it can depress the yield within the range of 10-12%. However, the general positive effect on milk FA profile was evident by using almost all BP at different tested doses. The inclusion of these BP in the ration, from 5% up to 40% of dry matter (DM), did not depress milk yield, fat, or protein production, demonstrating positive features in terms of both economic and environmental sustainability and the reduction of human-animal competition for food. The general improvement of the nutritional quality of milk fat related to the inclusion of these BP in dairy ruminant diets is an important advantage for the commercial promotion of dairy products resulting from the recycling of agro-industrial by-products.

Effect of hazelnut skin by-product supplementation in lambs' diets: Implications on plasma and muscle proteomes and first insights on the underlying mechanisms

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hazelnut skin by-product supplementation on lamb meat quality characteristics and plasma and muscle proteomes. Twenty-two Valle del Belice male lambs were divided into two experimental groups: control (C), fed a maize-barley diet and hazelnut (H), fed hazelnut skin by-product as maize partial replacer in the concentrate diet. The meat of lambs fed hazelnut skin showed greater values of lightness, redness, yellowness, and chroma color parameters together with the highest myofibril fragmentation index. Two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry applied on plasma proteome identified 20 protein spots corresponding to 18 unique gene names to be differently expressed due to hazelnut skin by-product substitution. For the early post-mortem muscle, 23 protein spots (42 unique gene names) were significantly up-regulated due to hazelnut skin by-product supplementation. Four proteins these being APOA1, PHB, ACTG1 and ALB, were found to be common to the two proteomes suggesting that these proteins could be candidate biomarkers to monitor in vita and post-mortem lamb meat quality traits. This study evidenced the main mechanisms involved in the supplementation of hazelnut skin by-product in lambs' diet and confirmed the possibility of using plasma proteome as a non-invasive way to predict lamb meat quality. SIGNIFICANCE: Maximizing the use of agro-industrial by-products as replacers of traditional feedstuff for improving animal products is one of the important challenges to preserving natural resources and guaranteeing environmental sustainability. Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) skin, obtained as a results of hazelnut roasting, represents a valuable by-products due to its high content in unsaturated fatty acids, tannins, and vitamins. Thus, including hazelnut skin by-product in small ruminant nutrition could reduce the costs of animal feedings for farmers as well as improve meat nutritional and sensorial characteristics. Additionally, monitoring the meat quality characteristics with fast, accurate, and non-invasive tools to find, before slaughter, animals with desired quality characteristics is of growing interest in the last years. In this regard, the objectives of this study were to assess i) the effect of hazelnut skin supplementation on lamb meat quality characteristics and plasma and muscle proteomes, and ii) whether analyzing plasma proteome by using a gel-based proteomic approach could effectively offer a more readily available option for determining lamb meat quality. Taken together, the proteomic approach applied to plasma and muscle proteomes, allowed us to reveal the pathways and the potential candidate plasma biomarkers to predict lamb meat production in the pre-slaughter phase.

Nutritional Properties of Milk from Dairy Ewes Fed with a Diet Containing Grape Pomace

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a diet containing a 10% of grape pomace (GP) on the milk yield, chemical-nutritional characteristics, total phenolic compounds (TPCs), antioxidant activity (AOA), fatty acids and proteins profile of dairy ewe’s milk. Forty-six ewes were dived into two groups: a control group (Ctrl), fed a standard diet, and an experimental group (GP+), whose diet was supplemented with 10% of GP on dry matter. The trial lasted 60 days and milk samples were collected and analyzed at the beginning (T0) and after 60 (T60) days. Dietary enrichment with GP did not affect the yield and the chemical composition of the milk. TPCs and AOA were not affected by the diet. After 60 days, the diet induced an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and a decrease in medium chain saturated fatty acids (MCSFA), but the total saturated fatty acids (SFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), short chain saturated fatty acids (SCSFA) and long chain saturated fatty acids (LCSFA) were not modified. A decrease in the C14 desaturation index and an increase in the C18 index were also detected. Total caseins and whey protein were not affected by GP, even if a lower content of k-casein in GP+ milk compared to Ctrl milk was observed on the 60th day. The results of the present study suggest that 10% of GP can be included in the diet of lactating ewes without modifying milk gross composition but inducing significantly changes the fatty acid profile.

Fatty acid metabolism in lambs supplemented with different condensed and hydrolysable tannin extracts

Five groups of lambs (n = 9 each) were used to test the effect of plant extracts rich in hydrolysable (HT) or condensed tannin (CT) on animal performance, fatty acid composition of rumen content, liver and meat. The control group (CO) received a concentrate-based diet without tannins supplementation. The other groups received the same diet as the control lambs plus 4% chestnut (CH) and tara (TA) extracts as a source of HT and mimosa (MI) and gambier (GA) extracts as a source of CT. One-way ANOVA was used to assess the overall effect of dietary treatments, tannins supplementation (CO vs. CH+TA+MI+GA) and the effect of tannin type (HT vs. CT: CH+TA vs. MI+GA) on animal performance, rumen content, liver and intramuscular FA. Dietary CH negatively affected animal performance. The rumen content of the different groups showed similar levels of 18:3 c9c12c15, 18:2 c9c12, 18:2 c9t11, 18:1 t11 and 18:0, whereas 18:1 t10 was greater in CO. Also, 18:1 t10 tended to be lower in the rumen of HT than CT-fed lambs. These data were partially confirmed in liver and meat, where CO showed a greater percentage of individual trans 18:1 fatty acids in comparison with tannins-fed groups. Our findings challenge some accepted generalizations on the use of tannins in ruminant diets as they were ineffective to favour the accumulation of dietary PUFA or healthy fatty acids of biohydrogenation origin in the rumen content and lamb meat, but suggest a generalized influence on BH rather than on specific steps.

Partial replacement of forage and concentrate with pomegranate pulp (peel and seed) silage and pomegranate seed pulp in Mehraban fattening lambs: effect on performance and carcass characteristics

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of partial replacement of forage and concentrate with pomegranate pulp silage (PPS) and dried pomegranate seed pulp (PSP) on performance, dry matter intake (DMI), and carcass characteristics of fattening Mehraban lambs. Twenty-four male lambs (mean body weight 27.0 ± 3.5 kg) were fed with three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets (n = 8 per diet), consisting of a control diet, a PPS diet containing 27.2% pomegranate pulp silage, and a PSP diet containing 31.4% dried pomegranate seed pulp. The experimental diets were fed ad libitum as total mixed rations for 65-day fattening period, on two meals per day, and then the growth performance, feed intake, and carcass characteristics were determined. The initial BW, final BW, average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were not different among the experimental diets. The amount of DMI in PSP diet was higher than that in the control diet (P = 0.023) but was not different between the control and PPS diets. There was no significant difference among diets for carcass characteristics. Using PPS and PSP in the diets decreased (P < 0.05) the kidney fat, but had no impact on the heart, liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs. The results showed that PPS and PSP could be used to replace part of the diet for fattening lambs, while decreasing the dietary cost without having any negative effects on animal performance.

Effect of Dietary Hazelnut Peels on the Contents of Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Tocopherols, and on the Shelf-Life of Ripened Ewe Cheese

Hazelnut peel (HNP), a by-product from the chocolate industry, is considered to be a suitable ingredient to be included in the diet of ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding dairy ewes with a diet containing HNP on ripened cheese quality, including fatty acid (FA) profile, cholesterol, and tocopherol content, as well as stability during storage under commercial conditions. In total, 10 experimental cheeses were produced with bulk milk obtained from ewes fed a commercial concentrate (C group; n = 5) or a concentrate containing 36% HNP in dry matter (HNP group; n = 5). After 40 days of aging, each cheese was sub-sampled into three slices: one was analyzed immediately (C0 and HNP0), and the other two were refrigerated and analyzed after seven days (C7 and HNP7) and 14 days (C14 and HNP14), respectively. Compared to C, HNP cheese had more than twice as many tocopherols and mono-unsaturated FA and respectively 38% and 24% less of cholesterol and saturated FA. Tocopherols and cholesterol levels remained rather stable up to 14 days of storage regardless of the experimental group, suggesting no cholesterol oxidation. Therefore, the inclusion of HNP in ewe diets could be a valid resource to produce cheese with a healthier lipid profile and higher tocopherols content.

Branched-Chain Fatty Acids-An Underexplored Class of Dairy-Derived Fatty Acids

Dairy fat and its fatty acids (FAs) have been shown to possess pro-health properties that can support health maintenance and disease prevention. In particular, branched-chain FAs (BCFAs), comprising approximately 2% of dairy fat, have recently been proposed as bioactive molecules contributing to the positive health effects associated with the consumption of full-fat dairy products. This narrative review evaluates human trials assessing the relationship between BCFAs and metabolic risk factors, while potential underlying biological mechanisms of BCFAs are explored through discussion of studies in animals and cell lines. In addition, this review details the biosynthetic pathway of BCFAs as well as the content and composition of BCFAs in common retail dairy products. Research performed with in vitro models demonstrates the potent, structure-specific properties of BCFAs to protect against inflammation, cancers, and metabolic disorders. Yet, human trials assessing the effect of BCFAs on disease risk are surprisingly scarce, and to our knowledge, no research has investigated the specific role of dietary BCFAs. Thus, our review highlights the critical need for scientific inquiry regarding dairy-derived BCFAs, and the influence of this overlooked FA class on human health.

Effects of Microencapsulated Blend of Organic Acids and Essential Oils as a Feed Additive on Quality of Chicken Breast Meat

The present study aims to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation based on a blend of microencapsulated organic acids (sorbic and citric) and essential oils (thymol and vanillin) on chicken meat quality. A total of 420 male Ross 308 chicks were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: the control group was fed with conventional diet (CON), while the other group received the control diet supplemented with 0.5% of a microencapsulated blend of organic acids and essential oils (AVI). In breast meat samples, intramuscular fat content and saturated/polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio were reduced by AVI supplementation (p < 0.05). Moreover, atherogenic (p < 0.01) and thrombogenic (p < 0.05) indices were lower in AVI than CON treatment. AVI raw meat showed a lower density of psychrotrophic bacteria (p < 0.05) at an initial time, and higher loads of enterococci after 4 days of refrigerated storage (p < 0.05). No contamination of Listeria spp., Campylobacter spp., and Clostridium spp. was found. TBARS values of the cooked meat were lower in the AVI treatment compared to CON (p < 0.01). Among colour parameters, a*, b* and C* values increased between 4 and 7 days of storage in AVI cooked meat (p < 0.05). Overall, organic acids and essential oils could improve the quality and shelf-life of poultry meat.

Effect of Feeding Hazelnut Skin on Animal Performance, Milk Quality, and Rumen Fatty Acids in Lactating Ewes

The hazelnut skin is waste biomass rich in bioactive compounds that may affect lipid rumen metabolism, ruminant performance, and products' quality. Therefore, we investigated the effect of dietary hazelnut skin on milk production and composition and on rumen fatty acids in ewes. During 28 days, 20 Comisana lactating ewes received alfalfa hay ad libitum plus 800g/head/day of pelleted concentrate containing 36% dried beet pulp (CTRL group; n = 10) or 36% hazelnut skin (HS group; n = 10). The protein percentage was lower in HS milk. Milk fatty acids (FA) partially reflected those of rumen content. Total saturated FA (SFA), odd and branched-chain FA, and n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) were greater in CTRL milk. Total monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and 18:1 trans were greater in HS milk; moreover, HS milk showed a double percentage of oleic acid than the CTRL group. Individual SFA were greater in CTRL milk except for 18:0. Differing from the rumen content, total PUFA, n-6 PUFA, and 18:2 n-6 were comparable between groups. Vaccenic and rumenic acid were greater in HS milk. To conclude, dietary HS slightly reduced milk protein percentage but improved atherogenic index and healthy FA in milk. The content of the somatic cells suggested a healthier udder in the HS group.

Can Agro-Industrial By-Products Rich in Polyphenols be Advantageously Used in the Feeding and Nutrition of Dairy Small Ruminants?

Simple Summary

In the Mediterranean area, where dairy sheep and goats are widespread, the use of by-products in the diet of small ruminants is an ancient practice. Today the great availability of industrial by-products produced at the local level (e.g., grape, olive, tomato and myrtle residues), appears to be a promising strategy for reducing competition with human edible foods and the cost of off-farm produced feeds since they are imported worldwide. Moreover, these co-feeds can contribute to reducing the ecological and water footprint associated with crop cultivation. The presence of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, confers added value to these materials. Several positive aspects are apparent when such by-products are included in the diets of small dairy ruminants, in particular on ruminal metabolism, animal health, and the quality of derived products.

Abstract

Recently, the interest in industrial by-products produced at the local level in Mediterranean areas, resulting from fruit and vegetable processes, has increased because of their considerable amounts of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols. In this review, we analyze the most recent scientific results concerning the use of agro-industrial by-products, naturally rich in polyphenols (BPRP), in the diets of small dairy ruminants. Effects on milk production, milk and rumen liquor fatty acid profile, metabolic parameters, and methane production are reviewed. The feed intake and digestibility coefficients were generally depressed by BPRP, even though they were not always reflected in the milk yield. The main observed positive effects of BPRP were on quality of the milk’s FA profile, antioxidant activity in milk and blood, a reduction of rumen ammonia, and, consequently, a reduction of milk and blood urea. The expected beneficial effects of dietary polyphenols in small ruminants were not always observed because of their complex and variable matrices. However, owing to the large quantities of these products available at low prices, the use of BPRB in small ruminant nutrition offers a convenient solution to the valorization of residues arising from agricultural activities, reducing feed costs for farmers and conferring added value to dairy products at the local level, in a sustainable way.

Dietary pomegranate by-product improves oxidative stability of lamb meat

This study investigated the effect of including whole pomegranate by-product in lamb diet on meat oxidative stability. Seventeen lambs were assigned to two experimental treatments and fed a cereal-based concentrate (CON) or the same concentrate where 200 g/kg DM of cereals were replaced by whole pomegranate by-product (WPB). Meat from WPB-fed lambs had a greater concentration of vitamin E (α- and γ-tocopherols), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), highly peroxidizable PUFA and a higher peroxidability index (P < .05). Feeding WPB limited the formation of metmyoglobin (P = .05) and reduced lipid oxidation (TBARS values) after 7 days of storage for raw meat (P = .024) or 4 days for cooked meat (P = .006). Feeding WPB increased meat antioxidant capacity (ORAC assay) in the lipophilic fraction (P = .017), but not in the hydrophilic. These results suggest that vitamin E in the pomegranate by-product contributed to the higher antioxidant capacity of meat from the WPB-fed lambs.