The effects of feeding flaxseed to beef cows given forage based diets on fatty acids of longissimus thoracis muscle and backfat

This study was conducted to investigate changes in fatty acid profiles of beef cows fed grass hay or barley silage based diets, with or without flaxseed supplementation. Both flaxseed and hay feeding increased levels of α-linolenic acid (LNA; 18:3n-3) in longissimus thoracis and backfat (P < 0.001). A forage type by flaxseed level interaction was observed for most LNA biohydrogenation intermediates (P < 0.05) that indicated feeding hay combined with flaxseed led to the greatest levels of total conjugated linolenic acid, total conjugated linoleic acid, total non-conjugated dienes and total trans-18:1. Predominant biohydrogenation intermediates included t11,c15-18:2, rumenic acid (c9,t11-18:2) and vaccenic acid (t11-18:1).

► Beef fatty acids are affected by feeding flaxseed and forage type. ► Feeding flaxseed or hay increased beef α-linolenic acid. ► Feeding flaxseed with hay increased α-linolenic acid biohydrogenation intermediates. ► Major biohydrogenation intermediates included t11,c15-18:2, rumenic and vaccenic acid.