Linseeds are used in ruminant feeding for a long time, but this feedstuff knows now increasing interest. Linseeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a fatty acid from the omega-3 series. Despite an extensive biohydrogenation of dietary alpha-linolenic acid in the rumen, its concentration in milk and beef meat increases with linseed incorporation in diets; this increase is accompanied by that of other fatty acids produced during biohydrogenation, especially conjugated linoleic acids and trans 18:1 fatty acids. The increase in cow fertility due to omega-3 fatty acids has not been demonstrated. Furthermore, linseed incorporation in ruminant diets is one of the most efficient ways to decrease enteric methane emissions. In addition to a global mitigating effect of all lipid sources on methane, linseeds have a specific effect due to changes in rumen microbial ecosystem. The practical use of linseeds in ruminant feeding at a large scale requires the absence of negative effect at any step of the ruminant production system. An excessive supply of lipids from linseeds can have deleterious effects on digestive efficiency, milk fat and protein content, beef susceptibility to oxidation, milk and beef fatty acid composition, but when linseed incorporation in the diet does not exceed ca. 3% of additional fat, only positive effects are remaining. A challenge is the increase in linseed cropping to meet increased needs for animal feeding.
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