204 An Investigation into the Role of Dietary Essential Fatty Acids Ratios and Linoleic Acid Level on Growth Performance and Inflammation of Grow-finish Pigs

The objective was to investigate the effects of dietary linoleic acid level and the ratio of linoleic acid:linolenic acid (n6:n3) on the growth performance and inflammatory status of grow-finish pigs. A total of 300 growing pigs (BW = 41.1 ± 6.3 kg) were randomly assigned to either a high (30 g/kg; HLA) or low (15 g/kg; LLA) linoleic acid level with a high (20:1; HR), moderate (12:1; MR) or low (4:1; LR) n6:n3 in a 2 x 3 factorial design. Diets were fed across three 28-day phases and were balanced for dietary metabolizable energy. Pigs were housed 5 pigs per pen. Blood samples were collected on weeks 1, 3, 6, and 12, and synovial fluid was collected from the hock joint on weeks 1 and 12 for inflammatory marker analysis. Data were analyzed as repeated measures using PROC MIXED (SAS 9.4) with initial body weight as a covariate, pen as the experimental unit, and linoleic acid level, ratio, and their interaction as fixed effects. Compared to HLA, LLA pigs had increased BW (P < 0.05) at d56 (103.2 vs. 101.3kg) and tended to have increased BW at d84 (P < 0.10; 129.1 vs. 127.8kg). Pigs receiving LR tended to have higher d84 BW compared to MR (P < 0.10; 129.1 vs. 127.3kg). There was no effect of linoleic acid ratio interaction for growth performance. In phase 2, pigs receiving LR had higher feed intake (P < 0.05) compared to MR. Pigs receiving HR performed intermediate of LR and MR. Overall, C-reactive protein was reduced in the plasma of pigs receiving HLA (P < 0.05; 19.3 vs. 26.2mg/mL). Across all treatments, CRP was reduced in synovial fluid and plasma in week 12 vs. week 1 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, LLA and a low ratio of n6:n3 improved final pig BW, and HLA is potentially beneficial in improving inflammation.

Chemical composition and lipoxygenase activity of soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill.) genotypes, specific for human consumption, with different tegument colours

Recently, in Brazil, coloured-tegument soybean cultivars have been developed, such as those with brown and black teguments. Soybeans with black teguments have been widely used for decades due to their health benefits and their use in oriental folk medicine as a result of the presence of phytochemicals. They have been recognized as health-promoting functional food ingredients due to their antioxidant activity, and are also known to have anti-cancer, hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory effects and have been used in the treatment of various circulatory disorders. This study aimed to determine the proximate composition, fatty acid levels and lipoxygenase activity of soybean lineages with different tegument colours intended for human consumption. The lineage MGBR10-16601 which has a yellow tegument, presented the highest protein and lowest fat contents, with values of 37.6 g 100 g-1 and 18.3 g 100 g-1, respectively. The lineage MGBR10-16201, which also has a yellow tegument, was identified as free of lipoxygenase isoenzymes. The unsaturated fatty acid levels ranged from 18.48 to 31.37 mg g-1 and from 47.36 to 58.31 mg g-1 for oleic and linoleic acids, respectively. The lineage BRN07-50543, which has a black tegument, presented high total isoflavone levels (546 mg 100 g-1), with an oleic acid level above and linoleic acid level below the standards established by the Codex Alimentarius for soybean oil, with values of 31.37 mg g-1 and 47.36 mg g-1, respectively. The cultivar BRSMG 790A, which has a yellow tegument, presented the lowest isoflavone level (171.4 mg 100 g-1). All the genetic materials examined presented crude protein, fat, dietary fibre and ash levels within the commercial parameters established for soybeans.

Oil content and fatty acids composition of poppy seeds cultivated in two localities of Slovakia

Oil content, fatty acids profile, acid and saponification values of poppy seeds grown on two localities of the Slovak Republic were evaluated in the study. Statistically significant effects of locality, genotype and their interaction (P < 0.05) for numerous descriptors were proved by non-parametric tests. Results confirmed that variation in the analysed parameters was influenced by the colour of seeds. Ochre variety Redy contained the highest oil level in both localities (49.9 and 52.4%) and linoleic acid level (74.3 and 71.6%). White-seeded Racek and Albín had the highest acid value (2.8 and 2.4% of free fatty acids) and grey-seeded Malsar and blue-seeded Maratón contained the highest saponification value. Buddha, a high-morphine poppy variety, differed significantly in all monitored parameters. High negative interrelation between linoleic and oleic acids levels was observed. Oil content was positively correlated with linoleic acid and negatively with oleic acid. Weather conditions at the end of vegetation influenced the accumulation of oil and essential linoleic acid.

Evaluation of fatty acid composition among selected amaranth grains grown in two consecutive years

The oil of amaranth grain (Amaranthus spp.) is a rich source of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. In this study, we tested 10 amaranth samples representing two species (Amaranthus cruentus and Amaranthus hypochondriacus) in two consecutive years (2010, 2011). Grain oils were analysed by gas chromatography for their fatty acids profile. In 2010, oil content ranged from 6.4–8.2% for A. cruentus and 6.3–7.9% for A. hypochondriacus. In 2011, the level was 7.1–8.2% and 6.6–8.7% for A. cruentus and A. hypochondriacus, respectively. Linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids were dominant fatty acids in all of the oil samples. The essential linoleic acid level was 33.3–38.7% (A. cruentus) and 31.7–47.5% (A. hypochondriacus) in 2010 and 34.6–39.9% (A. cruentus) and 34–44.5% (A. hypochondriacus) in 2011. The minority fatty acids, i.e. stearic, α-linolenic, and arachidic acids were also observed. Eicosenoic and behenic acids were present in the grain in trace amounts. Statistical evaluation showed a significant effect of year and species of amaranth on the levels of certain fatty acids. There was a strong positive correlation between oil content and oleic acid, and a negative correlation between oleic acid and either of the other two fatty acids, linoleic and α-linolenic ones.

Effect of dietary alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid level on growth performance, carcass and meat characteristics of Thai indigenous growing pigs

Presently, indigenous pig farming is relatively growing in Thailand, because Thai consumers increasingly prefer the meat of indigenous pigs. Generally, indigenous pigs tend to store more fat in their carcass than pigs of commercial breeds. The nature of the dietary fat source may have an effect on fat deposition processes in indigenous pigs and subsequently on carcass and meat characteristics. For example, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3, n-3) is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid that is more preferentially oxidized in the body than linoleic acid (LA, C18:2, n-6) and other fatty acids. Therefore, the supplementation of ALA in pig diets should have a more beneficial effect on animal performance than LA supplementation. However, some adverse effects, e.g. meat characteristics, might result from a higher level of ALA supplementation as well. Thus, the aim of this study was to specify the effect of dietary supplementation of ALA versus LA on growth performance, carcass and meat characteristics of pigs.

Effect of sowing time on growth, yield, and oil characteristics of irrigated sunflower in southern New South Wales

The effect of sowing time on the growth, yield, and oil characteristics of irrigated sunflower was studied for 3 consecutive seasons at Leeton (34�28�S., 146�25'E.), in southern New South Wales. The hybrid cultivar Hysun 32 was sown at monthly intervals from late October to late January. Duration of growth from sowing to physiological maturity was reduced by I5 days when sowing time was delayed from late October to late December. Dry matter production at flowering was lowest from the late December sowing, and harvest index was always lowest from the late January sowing. Late October and late November sowing produced similar yields (>4 t/ha), but delaying sowing further to late December and late January reduced yields by 18 and 37%, respectively. Effect of sowing time on yield was mainly related to effects on seed number per head. Seed oil content averaged 50%, with the late November sowing producing the highest value in all seasons. To be confident of producing a linoleic acid level >62% as required for the margarine industry, sowing should be delayed until mid November.