Abstract

In an earlier study, we concluded that pellet-fed reindeer could not elongate 18:3n - 3 (-linolenic acid - ALA) sufficiently towards long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC PUFA) and need supplementation of LC PUFA. The present work investigated that the addition of n - 3 LC PUFA to feed in combination with ALA would increase the LC PUFA in the meat. Two groups of reindeer were fed pellets containing either linseed cake or linseed cake combined with algae (Nannochloropsis oculata) for 6 weeks before slaughter. Dietary n - 6/n - 3 ratio had a distinct influence on meat fatty acid (FA) composition when comparing linseed and linseed algae-fed animals with animals fed a conventional diet. Increased dietary proportions of ALA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) increased these FA in muscle and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid in the polar lipid fraction compared to the conventional-fed animals. We concluded that an increased proportion of dietary EPA might lead to an increased elongation towards DPA in muscle. Algae and linseed are possible additives to reindeer feed in order to assure a similar valuable FA composition as in pasturing animals.

Keywords

DHA; GLC; lipid metabolism; nutrition; -3 fatty acids; sensory

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2010, volume: 60, number: 3, pages: 175-186
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS AS

Authors' information