Effects of the Dietary Inclusion of Buriti Oil on Lamb Performance, Carcass Traits, Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance, Ingestive Behavior and Blood Metabolites

Abstract

Buriti (Mauritia flexuosa L.) oil (BO) is a byproduct that can be incorporated into the diet of lambs, thus increasing the energy density. The study aimed to evaluate the optimum BO inclusion level in lamb diets. Sixty-five Santa Ines lambs were distributed in two completely randomized experiments with five treatments each (BO inclusion at 0 (control), 12, 24, 36 and 48 g/kg dry matter (DM) total). The BO supplementation to partially replace ground corn linearly decreased the nutrient intake and digestibility of DM, ether extract and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), N° chews/bolus, DM and NDF rumination or eating efficiencies, the N intake and N balance, carcass weights and yields, and dressing content of lamb carcasses (p < 0.05). The addition of BO responded quadratically to DM eating efficiency and N-fecal and N-urinary excretion (p < 0.05). The linear response plateau (LRP) analysis demonstrated that the levels of 0 and 12 g/kg of BO were similar, and improved intake and digestibility and consequently performance (p < 0.001). There was a linear increase in feed efficiency and shrinkage after chilling with the BO inclusion replacing ground corn. The inclusion of 12 g/kg BO in the total DM of diet is recommended, because it improves feeding intake, digestibility and performance of lambs.

Fortification of diets with omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids enhances feedlot performance, intramuscular fat content, fat melting point, and carcass characteristics of Tattykeel Australian White MARGRA lambs

“…Furthermore, several trials have indicated that numerous feeding approaches can facilitate the deposition of n-3 LC PUFA in muscle tissues in lambs, resulting in healthier meat ( 16 , 24 , 37 – 42 ). The use of vegetable seed oils in ruminant diets was found to increase energy and the level of UFA deposited in meat ( 43 ). Thus, the resultant meat product had reduced levels of FA that were termed undesirable and enhanced levels that were characterized as beneficial to human health ( 44 ).…”

Technologies Used in Production Systems for Santa Inês Sheep: A Systematic Review

“…Also, fats and oils have been used in ruminant feed to increase the energy density of the diet. Then, the supplementation with buriti oil improves consumption, digestibility, and animal performance ( 85 ). However, the use of other oils, such as canola, sunflower, or castor oil, did not provide milk yield or increase the final bodyweight of the lambs ( 86 ).…”