The relationship between muscle α-tocopherol concentration and meat oxidation in light lambs fed vitamin E supplements prior to slaughter.
BACKGROUND
The use of concentrates supplemented with α-tocopherol in animals is an effective method to reduce the oxidative processes that occur in meat products. The high cost of α-tocopherol requires accurate feeding, so it is necessary to define the minimum period of α-tocopherol concentrate supplementation that will ensure an acceptable meat quality. Indoor concentrate-fed light lambs (n = 35) were supplemented with 500 mg dl-α-tocopheryl acetate (VE) kg(-1) concentrate for a period of between 4 and 28 days before being slaughtered at 22-24 kg body weight. Control lambs (n = 12) were not supplemented with α-tocopherol.


RESULTS
The α-tocopherol content in both plasma and muscle tissues increased significantly with the length of supplementation (P < 0.001). The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) concentration in meat decreased exponentially when the muscle α-tocopherol concentration was increased to 0.61-0.90 mg kg(-1) fresh meat (P < 0.05). After 7 days of display, the formation of metmyoglobin (MMb) decreased significantly as the α-tocopherol content increased to 0.31-0.60 mg kg(-1) meat (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
A range of 0.61-0.90 mg α-tocopherol kg(-1) fresh meat protected fresh lamb meat from lipid oxidation and MMb formation. This level can be achieved by supplementation with 500 mg VE kg(-1) concentrate for a period of 7-14 days before slaughter.
Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA), Avda Montañana, 930, E-50059, Zaragoza, Spain.
Laura
L
González-Calvo
Guillermo
G
Ripoll
Francisco
F
Molino
Jorge Hugo
JH
Calvo
Margalida
M
Joy
D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D008786:Metmyoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D012756:Sheep; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000032:analysis; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood
D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D008786:Metmyoglobin; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol
light lamb; longissimus thoracis; metmyoglobin; plasma; semitendinosus