Premium
The relationship between muscle α ‐tocopherol concentration and meat oxidation in light lambs fed vitamin E supplements prior to slaughter
Author(s) -
GonzálezCalvo Laura,
Ripoll Guillermo,
Molino Francisco,
Calvo Jorge Hugo,
Joy Margalida
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.6688
Subject(s) - metmyoglobin , tbars , tocopherol , vitamin e , chemistry , lipid oxidation , food science , thiobarbituric acid , vitamin , tocopheryl acetate , antioxidant , zoology , lipid peroxidation , biochemistry , biology , myoglobin
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). CONCLUSION 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. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry