Meat and meat products enriched with n-3 fatty acids

Abstract

Meat and meat products enriched in n-3 PUFA can partially provide the daily recommended intake of n-3 PUFA, especially of long-chain n-3 PUFA. • The fortification of meats with n-3 PUFA is interesting in ruminant meat, which is regarded as very saturated, and in pork for its high n-6 PUFA levels. • Plant-derived sources lead to higher a -linolenic contents, whereas marine sources provide higher long-chain n-3 PUFA contents. • The fortification of meat products can be achieved not only by dietary supplementation but also by totally or partially replacing the animal fat by other fat sources. • Lipid oxidation is likely the main detrimental effect of the n-3 PUFA enrichment of meat and meat products; however, the use of antioxidants delays effectively lipid oxidation.