Effects of linseed meal and whole linseed and supplemental α-tocopherol acetate on broiler growth performance, and tissue C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3 and TBARS content

It is recognised that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are important components of a healthy human diet. There is, therefore, considerable interest in manipulating animal tissue fatty acid composition to enhance n-3 PUFA intakes. Linseed is a rich source of the n-3 fatty acid, linolenic acid (C18:3n-3). When whole linseed (WL) is included in poultry diets this fatty acid can be incorporated into tissue lipids and may also serve as a precursor for the synthesis of longer chain C20 and C22 n-3 PUFA in chicken tissues. To counteract the increased susceptibility of PUFA-enriched tissues to peroxidation, α-tocopherol acetate (ATA) supplementation of the diet may be required. In this study the effect of WL and supplementary ATA on broiler growth performance and leg and breast muscle fatty acid profiles and lipid peroxidation were studied