EFFECT OF DIETARY N-3 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS ON LONGISSIMUS DORSI AND SEMITENDINOSUS MUSCLE IN PIGS

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary linolenic acid in pigs in growing-fattening-finishing period on performances, fatty acids (FA) composition on two types of muscle (Longissimus dorsi, LD and Semitendinosus, ST) and carcass quality. Gas chromatography method was used to determine the composition in FA and cholesterol. Intramuscular fat was determined gravimetrically by Soxlet method and protein content by Kjeldhall method. Addition of Camelina oil in the E group diet determined a significant increase of C18:3n-3 FA content (P<0.0001) whatever the type of muscle. Camelina oil with a high content of n-3 FA improved nutritional value of meat favouring incorporation of C18:3n-3 in muscle and adipose tissue and its conversion into long chain FA (especially, eicosadienoic si DHA). In addition, such nutritional strategy has allowed the incorporation of (CLA) conjugated linoleic acid, all of them being beneficial for human health.