Vagem de faveira na dieta de cordeiros: Estimativa de biohidrogenação ruminal, perfil de ácidos graxos e qualidade da carne

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of replacing ground corn with faveira pods (FP) in the diets of confined lambs on the estimation of ruminal biohydrogenation (RBH), the fatty acid (FA) profile in the Longissimus lumborum muscle, and the physicochemical characteristics of the meat. Twenty-eight lambs (20 ± 0.44 kg; 120 ± 10 days of age), uncastrated males, were distributed in a randomized block design with four treatments and seven replicates. The diets were formulated by replacing ground corn with FP at increasing levels: 0%, 33%, 66%, and 100% FP. The data collected were evaluated by analysis of variance with a 5% significance level, using the MIXED procedure of SAS (version 9.0). When P<0.05, linear and quadratic regression were applied, and a trend effect was considered when P<0.10. The inclusion of FP resulted in a linear reduction in the intake of C18:1c9; a linear increase in C12:0, C15:0, C18:1t9, C18:1t11, and C18:2n6; and a linear reduction of C18:0 in the ruminal digesta, with a positive quadratic effect for C4:0 (P < 0.05). The rate of ruminal biohydrogenation of C18:1c9 and C18:2n6 (P < 0.05) decreased linearly with increasing levels of FP in the diets. Regarding the meat fatty acids, there was a linear reduction in C16:1c9, C18:1c9, and other cis-monounsaturated fatty acids, in addition to a negative quadratic effect for C14:1c9 and a positive effect for C18:2c9t11 (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of FP. The 66% and 100% FP diets provided a higher content of C18:2n6 in the meat compared to the control diet (0% FP) and the 33% FP diet (P < 0.05). FP as an alternative energy source for lambs promotes changes in the ruminal biohydrogenation estimate and rumen fatty acids. The addition of FP in the diet improves meat quality by increasing polyunsaturated fatty acids without altering the physicochemical characteristics. It is recommended to replace corn with up to 100% FP in the diets of confined sheep.