Effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) or Olea europaea (olive) leaves on oxidative stability of rabbit meat fortified with n-3 fatty acids

- The fatty acid composition of rabbit's meat reflects the diet fatty acid composition.
- High content of PUFA in meat causes higher susceptibility to lipid oxidation.
- Ganoderma lucidum or Olea europaea leaves showed a trend in reducing oxidation.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) or Olea europaea (olive tree) leaves on oxidative stability of rabbit meat fortified with n-3 fatty acids. Forty-eight slovenska kunka (SIKA) rabbits were divided into four homogeneous groups. The control group ( CONT−) received diet with 6% palm fat; other groups received diet with 6% linseed oil and were either unsupplemented (CONT +) or supplemented with 1% of G. lucidum (REISHI) or O. europaea leaves (OLIVE). Rabbits were slaughtered and fatty acid composition, concentration of vitamin E and malondialdehyde (MDA) in back muscle were analyzed. The results showed that linseed oil addition improved fatty acid composition by increasing polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) proportion, decreasing proportion of saturated fatty acid (SFA) and reducing n-6/n-3 ratio in rabbit meat. Groups that were supplemented with linseed oil had lower content of α-tocopherol and higher content of γ-tocopherol, compared to the CONT − group. The addition of potential antioxidants did not effectively prevent oxidation of rabbit meat.