Effect of maize DDGS addition on carcass and meat quality of lambs of native sheep breed

Abstract

The aim of the study was to characterize carcass and meat quality of lambs of native sheep breed, which were fed a diet containing maize dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS). The experiment involved 20 ram lambs of the native sheep breed Polish Heath Sheep (Wrzosówka sheep), which were selected from a conservation herd. The lambs received meadow hay and straw ad libitum as well as about 0.4 kg of concentrate per animal. The control group (C) received a standard diet based on cereal components and soybean meal, and in the experimental group (D), soybean meal and part of barley and wheat were replaced with DDGS (the addition of 45% DDGS to the lamb concentrates). The fattening was carried out for 60 days (up to 8 months of age). The diet had no effect on carcass quality, proportion of cuts, basic chemical composition of the meat and cholesterol content. The intramuscular fat of lambs fed the DDGS diet had a higher proportion of linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) and conjugated linoleic acid, and a lower proportion of linolenic acid (C18:3 n-3), which had a negative effect on the polyunsaturated fatty acids n-6:n-3 ratio in the intramuscular fat. The addition of DDGS to the diet had a beneficial effect on the sensory properties of lamb meat, in particular its taste.