Camelina sativa affects the fatty acid contents in M-longissimus muscle of lambs

Ruminant diets supplemented with different sources of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) may be effective for modulating the rumen biohydrogenation process as well as for de novo fatty acid synthesis in animal tissues. Such a supplementation may consequently improve the proportion of fatty acids in animal products. The obtained effect in animal products depends on the quantity and composition of dietary fat; particularly UFAs. This study illustrates the effect of diets in which two doses of Camelina sativa (100 and 200g in concentrate dry matter, respectively) were given as the primary sources of UFAs. The study shows the effect on the fatty acid contents in longissimus dorsi muscle of lambs. Diets containing C. sativa led to higher contents of either C18:2 c9t11 or C18:2 t10c12 isomers in lamb muscle as well as an increase in vaccenic acid (VA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) contents. The results also indicated that the addition of C. sativa leads to a higher content of linoleic, oleic and alpha linolenic acids in lamb muscles. Practical applications: The results of this study showed favorable changes in the UFA contents in longissimus dorsi muscle of lambs. The changes were obtained by supplementing the diets of the lambs with C. sativa cake, the plant cultivated as a biodiesel source. Inclusion of C. sativa cake in the concentrate dry matter for lambs may allow animal products to obtain the nutritionally desired fatty acids. Consumption of enriched products may act as chemopreventive agents and counteract the development of some human diseases.