The quality of meat from lambs and kids reared on feeds based on artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) bracts

The aim of the research is to evaluate the influence of feeds based on artichoke bracts on the quality of meat of lambs and kids slaughtered at the age of 113 days. No matter what species, the presence of artichoke bracts in the feed produces meat with a slightly higher water content, less fat and lower (P<0.01) cholesterol levels, and fat significantly richer in C16:0r, C18:0, C20:1ω9, C18:3ω3 and poorer in C18:1ω9, total unsaturated and monounsaturated. Regardless the diet, it became clear that kid meat has a significantly (P<0.01) higher water content, more protein, less fat and is slightly (P<0.05) richer in undetermined than lamb meat. It was found that the peri-intramuscular fat of the kids, compared with that of the lambs, is characterised by: 1) greater and significant percentages of C12:0, C16:0r, C14:1, C17:1, C18:1ω9, C20:1ω9, C18:3ω6, C20:4ω6, C20:5ω3 and C22:5ω3, which means greater concentrations of total unsaturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, of the ω3 and ω6 series; 2) lower and significant levels of C10:0, C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, C18:1ω7, C22:6ω3 and total saturated; 3) lower atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indexes. No significant interaction was observed between diet and species as regards the chemical composition of meat; contrary to what was found for the levels of some fatty acids, such as C12:0, C14:0, C18:0, C20:0, C18:1ω9, C20:1ω9, C18:3ω3 and C18:3ω6.