Dietary Alpha-Linoleic Acid Alters the Fatty Acid Composition of Lipid Classes in Swine Tissues.
Dietary Alpha-Linoleic Acid Alters the Fatty Acid Composition of Lipid Classes in Swine Tissues.
Year: 1995
Authors: G Cherian, J S Sim.
Publication Name: J. Agric. Food Chem.
Publication Details: Volume 43; Number 11; Page 2911.
Abstract:
In an attempt to increase n-3 PUFAs in the diet, feeding trials have been conducted in order to alter the n-3 fatty acid content of animal tissues. The diets of poultry and swine have been supplemented with ALA in the form of canola and flax meal and seed. Analysis of tissue fatty acids from these animals showed increases in ALA and long chain n-3 PUFAs as well as reductions in SFA. The effects of dietary ALA on the FA composition of total lipids and lipid classes of the pig tissues most commonly consumed as food (muscle, backfat, heart and liver) were investigated in this study. Twenty-five pigs were fed on diets supplemented with ground flaxseed and containing ALA at 0% (control), 1.5% (ALA1), 2.5% (ALA2) or 3.6% (ALA3). The total lipid content of the tissues was not affected by dietary treatment. Feeding ALA1, ALA2 or ALA3 diets significantly increased the ALA and EPA content in the total lipids, TG, PE and PC of all tissues except brain. The enrichment of ALA was mainly in TGs. The ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA in the muscle, backfat, heart and liver was significantly reduced with a concomitant increase in EPA noted in these tissues. Long chain n-6 and n-3 PUFAs were incorporated in the PE. AA and MUFAs were significantly decreased by dietary ALA in the PE and PC of all tissues except for brain. The DHA content of the brain was not altered by dietary ALA, which suggests a resistance of brain tissue in swine to dietary enhancement of n-3 PUFAs. Total SFA were significantly lower in pigs fed the ALA enriched diets. The observation of increased EPA in combination with reduced AA is beneficial with regard to the synthesis of anti-thrombogenic eicosanoids. These results suggest that ALA supplementation in the form of flaxseed may be used in the diets of feed animals to increase levels of ALA and EPA and to decrease AA in muscle, backfat, heart and liver lipids. N-3 enriched animal products would serve as a source of omega 3 EFA in the diets of individuals who do not consume fish and fish products.
