Terpene accumulation in muscle and fatty tissues of calves supplemented with essential oils

Plant secondary metabolites such as terpenes, deposited in the fat of pasture-fed animals have been proposed as biomarkers in these animals. In this study, the accumulation of a variety of terpenes in muscle and adipose tissues was investigated in young bovines. Two calves were fed with artificial milk and two calves were administered the same artificial milk with a mixture of essential oils. Terpenes were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in rectus abdominis intramuscular lipid, subcutaneous, intermuscular, perirenal and peritoneal adipose tissues. The enrichments obtained were weak. Terpenes appeared to preferably accumulate in perirenal and peritoneal fat. Sesquiterpenes were retained more than monoterpenes or their oxygenated derivatives in the tissues of the calves receiving essential oils. Tissue enrichment in the calves that had not ingested the essential oil was observed for a few terpenes, suggesting that lung absorption may also be an effective way of penetration.