Extruded Linseed and Oregano Dietary Supplementation: Effects on Growth Performance, Carcass Composition, and Meat Quality of Jonica Kids

Abstract

To evaluate the influence of linseed and oregano dietary supplementation in Jonica kids, we carried out a trial that involved 30 male Jonica kids 20 days old, divided into three groups of ten animals. Each group was ascribed to one of the following dietary treatments: (C) group control fed without any supplement; (L) group fed control feed containing 3% extruded linseed (Linum usitatissimum); and (L + O) group fed control diet with 0.6% dried oregano (Origanum vulgare) and 3% extruded linseed. The kids were slaughtered at 60 days of age; carcass and cut yields were performed. The Longissimus lumborum muscle was separated to determinate physical, chemical, and fatty acid composition. Supplementation of kids’ diet with oregano did not show effects on performances in vivo and post mortem. Extruded linseed and oregano feed made commercial cuts of kids carcasses less fat (6.75% vs. 10.92% for leg; 4.82% vs. 7.73% for loin), whereas only the extruded linseed diet made the meat fatter (20.11% vs. 19.75%) and more proteic than the commercial pellet (20.11% vs. 19.75%). The use of oregano reduces the meat oxidation compared with the only use of linseed in kids’ diet (0.298 vs. 0.645). The healthy and beneficial effect of linseed in the diet is observed in meat with the lower value of n-6/n-3 ratio (4.57 vs. 8.60) and atherogenic (0.60 vs. 0.77) and thrombogenic (1.36 vs. 1.61) indices. Linseed diet enrich kids meat with healthy fatty acids that are easier to oxidize; instead, the addition of oregano, thanks to its antioxidant properties, allows a longer conservation and a more profitable marketing.