Fatty acid composition and quality of muscle from steers fed ruminally protected lipid

Abstract

Recommendations to improve the UK diet suggest an increase in the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P:S ratio) and a higher consumption of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Ruminant meats have a poor P:S ratio, approximately 0.1 compared to the recommendation of 0.4-1.0 for the whole diet. However, the ratio of C18:2 n-6/C18:3 n-3 (the n-6:n-3) is well within the recommended value of <4.0 at approximately 2 and ruminant muscle also supplies longer-chain n-3 PUFA. By feeding lipid in a formaldehyde cross-linked protein matrix, rumen biohydrogenation can be avoided and the tissue PUFA level increased but with potential effects on oxidative shelf-life, colour and flavour of the meat. This trial investigated the fatty acid composition and quality of meat produced by feeding a protected lipid supplement (PLS).