Omega 3, 6, 9 Enhanced Goat Meat (Omega-Chevon) from Flaxseed and Canola Fed Meat Goats

Abstract

With growing obesity and cardiovascular disease concerns, the meat industry aims to reduce fat content in meat products. Currently Omega Fatty Acid (FA) enhanced beef and eggs are being marketed in the US, but Omega enhanced goat meat (Omega-Chevon) has not been developed. Meat goats were fed ground flaxseed and canola supplemented feed for 90 days. There were no palatability, weight, or health issues in meat goats fed canola and flaxseed supplemented feed. Chevon from goats fed canola and flaxseed had significant (P<0.05) increase in Omega 3, 6 and 9 FA, compared to the control diet. However, Chevon from goats fed flaxseed diets had a marked increase (P<0.05) in Omega 3, 6, and 9 FA compared to those fed control and canola supplemented diets. Chevon from Spanish and Myotonic goats fed flaxseed had increased (P<0.05) Omega, 3, 6 FA compared to control. However, C18:1 (Omega 9) FA was higher in Chevon from Myotonic goats vs. Spanish goats, whereas Chevon from both Spanish and Myotonic goats were higher (P<0.05) in C20:1 (Omega 9) FA compared to Chevon from those fed the control diet. These data demonstrate that Omega Chevon can be produced by supplementation of the meat goat diet with canola and flaxseed.