Effects of high linolenic acid diet supplemented with synthetic or natural antioxidant mix on live performance, carcass traits, meat quality and fatty acid composition of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of medium-heavy pigs

We studied the effect of a high linolenic acid diet supplementation with synthetic (vitamin E + selenium) or vegetal mix rich in natural antioxidants (grape skin + oregano) on live performances, carcass and meat quality, fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of intramuscular lipids of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle in medium-heavy pigs. Neither carcass traits nor chemical proximate composition of meat was affected by dietary treatments. Linseed dietary inclusion reduced the n-6:n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio and increased longchain n-3 precursor, fundamental for human health. Our results offer new opportunities to use products more acceptable by consumers and are more eco-friendly.

Automated summary

The high linolenic acid diet supplementation did not affect carcass traits or meat chemical composition, but did improve fatty acid composition and oxidative stability of lipids, offering new opportunities for more consumer-friendly and eco-friendly products.