Effect of Vitamin E Supplementation to the Diet of Morkaraman Lambs on Intramuscular and Intermuscular Fatty Acid Composition

Authors: MAHMUT ÜNSAL, MUHAMMET İRFAN AKSU, MÜKERREM KAYA

Abstract: This research was carried out to determine the effects of vitamin E (DL-a tocopheryl acetate) supplementation on inter- and intramuscular fatty acid composition in the meat of Morkaraman lambs. The lambs were divided into 2 groups, control (CG, n = 10) and experimental (VG, n = 10), at the beginning of the fattening period. The CG and VG lambs were fed the same concentrate and hay. The VG lambs also received a supplement of 45 mg of vitamin E per lamb per day during the 75-day fattening period prior to slaughter. Vitamin E supplementation increased margaric acid in intramuscular fat and stearic acid in intermuscular fat significantly (P < 0.05), while it had no influence on the other fatty acids. The unsaturated fatty acid content of intramuscular fats was higher than that of intermuscular fats (P < 0.05).

Keywords: Vitamin E, Morkaraman lambs, fatty acid composition

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