Effect of plant tannin-containing diet on fatty acid profile in meat goats

Min B.R, Solaiman S, Taha E, L

Abstract

Phytochemical plant tannins are phenolic compounds that interfere with biohydrogenation (BH) of monounsaturated-(MUFA) and poly-unsaturated fatty acids(PUFA). The objective of the present animal study was to investigate the effects of three different levels of phytochemical tannin-containing ground pine bark diet on fatty acid profiles of goat meat, with particular reference to MUFA and PUFA. The saturated fatty acids (SFA), PUFA, and PUFA/SFA ratios in subcutaneous adipose tissue as well as MUFA and PUFA composition of mesenteric kidney fat were increased with increasing phytochemical tannin-containing ground pine bark supplementation. The study showed that phytochemical plant tannins could be a means to moderate the accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids with the aim of improving percentage of these PUFA/SFA ratios in goat meat. The effects would be useful to improve carcass fatty acids composition and human health.