The Effects of Flaxseed Oil and Derivatives on In Vitro Gas Production, Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Finishing Steers1

Two studies were conducted to determine the effects of flax oil and its derivatives on finishing feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, and in vitro gas production. In trial 1, Holstein-Jersey steers (n = 60, 452 kg initial BW) were fed steam-flaked corn diets with no supplemental fat (CON), flax oil (OIL), lipase-treated flax oil (L-OIL), or linseed soapstock (SOAP) for 90 d. Following slaughter, loin sections were removed from one side of each animal for fatty acid analysis. Dry matter intakes were highest for CON, lowest for L-OIL, and intermediate for steers fed OIL and SOAP (P < 0.01). No differences among treatments existed for ADG, G:F, final BW, or carcass characteristics (P > 0.48). Steers fed diets supplemented with flax lipids produced loin steaks with higher concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid and total omega-3 fatty acids compared with CON steers (P < 0.001). In trial 2, gas production from CON, OIL, L-OIL, SOAP, and ground flax was examined. Gas production for the SOAP treatment was less compared with all other treatments (P < 0.01) Gas production increased over time for all treatments (P < 0.001). Hydrolyzing flax oil with lipase decreased DMI compared with other treatments, but supplementing flax oil and flax oil derivatives increased concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids in loin tissues of feedlot steers. Linseed soap-stock and lipase-treated oil were inferior to flax oil as a strategy to increase omega-3 fatty acid concentrations in beef tissue.