RT Journal Article
T1 Marine macroalgae in rabbit feed – Effects on meat quality
A1 Al Soufi, Sabela
A1 García, Javier
A1 Nicodemus, Nuria
A1 Lorenzo, José M.
A1 Cegarra, Eugenio
A1 Muíños, Antonio
A1 Losada García, Ana Paula
A1 López Alonso, María Marta
K1 Marine macroalgae
K1 Meat quality
K1 Rabbit
K1 Fatty acids
K1 Extracts
AB The addition of macroalgae to livestock diets has demonstrated to enhance the quality of meat by improving the muscle stability, antioxidant capacity and fatty acid profile. However, information regarding rabbit meat is scarce. This study evaluated the effect of adding 1.025% of different macroalgae, dehydrated and as extracts (Saccharina latissima, Himanthalia elongata and Ulva spp.) to the diet of growing rabbits. Dietary supplementation with the Ulva spp. extract increased the fat content (0.96% vs 0.33% in control group) and the proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids (by 22%; P ≤ 0.022), but did not affect the moisture, protein or ash contents or the physicochemical properties of the rabbit longissiumus lumborum muscle. The antioxidant status of the meat was adequate and was not affected by the dietary supplements. The sensorial properties of the meat were also not affected, and dietary supplementation with both S. latissima and H. elongata actually enhanced the flavour and juiciness of the meat (P ≤ 0.01). Altogether, the study findings indicate that the addition of these sustainable ingredients to rabbit feed did not negatively affect meat quality, and some of them may potentially improve specific characteristics, which could make this meat more attractive to consumers
PB Elsevier
YR 2024
FD 2024-06-03
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/40235
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/40235
LA eng
NO Al-Soufi S, García J, Nicodemus N, Lorenzo JM, Cegarra E, Muíños A, et al. Marine macroalgae in rabbit feed – Effects on meat quality 2024;216:109584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2024.109584.
NO This study was carried out within the innovation project TIRAC, co-financed by 80% by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) of the European Union and by 20% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, within the framework of the National Rural Development Program 2014–2020. The General Directorate for Rural Development, Innovation and Agrifood Training (DGDRIFA) is the authority in charge of applying this aid. Budget: EUR 492,580.38. Total grant: EUR 485,043.58. Jose M. Lorenzo belongs to Grupo de Referencia Competitiva financed by GAIN (Axencia Galega de Innovación) (grant number IN607A2023/01). Sabela Al-Soufi, Marta Miranda and Marta López belongs to Grupo de Potencial Crecimiento financed by GAIN (Axencia Galega de Innovación) (grant number ED431B 2023/008)
DS Minerva
RD 24 abr 2026