Assessing the impact of dietary Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz inclusion on meat quality and sensory traits of growing rabbits
Year | 2025 |
Cathegory | Scientific publication in impacted journals |
Internal link | 25001.pdf |
Abstract | This study investigated the effects of dietary Camelina sativa oilseed cake (CSC) inclusion on the meat quality and sensory traits of growing rabbits. A total of 168 crossbred 32-day-old rabbits (both sexes) were randomly allocated into three experimental groups: a Control diet (10 % rapeseed oilseed cake as main crude protein source), CS5 diet (5 % rapeseed oilseed cake and 5 % CSC), and CS10 diet (10 % CSC). After slaughter (74 days of age), longissimus lumborum (LL) muscles and hind legs (HL) were dissected and their meat were evaluated for physical traits (LL and biceps femoris; BF), sensory attributes (LL), proximate composition and fatty acid (FA) profile (whole HL). The CSC inclusion did not significantly affect physical meat traits, except for yellowness, which decreased (P < 0.05) in both BF and LL muscles. Meat water content decreased linearly with CSC inclusion (P < 0.05). The FA profile of the HL meat was modified in rabbits fed CSC-containing diet: decreased saturated FA (P < 0.001) and monounsaturated FA (P < 0.001) and increased polyunsaturated FA (P < 0.001). Omega-3 FA content linearly increased with the CSC inclusion level (P < 0.001) and, consequently, the n-6/n-3 ratio decreased (halved ratio in CS10 compared to Control; P < 0.001). The CS10 treatment had the highest fatty flavour, rancid flavour, abnormal flavour intensity, and overall flavour intensity. However, overall acceptance was not affected. These findings suggest that CSC can be a viable protein source for sustainable rabbit production and healthy meat for consumers. |
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