Often less than optimal PUFA content of human diet have started the research aimed to increase its quantity in meats. Including linseed and sunflower oil in rabbit feed effectively improves rabbit meat lipid composition, but its altered sensitivity to oxidative reactions could result in colour change. The effect of vegetable oil content of the diet and vitamin E supplementation was studied on the colour of rabbit loin and thigh meats and dissected fat. Meat lightness, redness, yellowness, hue and chromacity were measured with Minolta chromameter on samples cooled to 5 °C for 24 h. Including sunflower (2%) and linseed (2%) oil in rabbit diet changed the colour of the dissected fat making it lighter (L* 76.96 v. 73.79), more yellowish (b* 13.34 v. 11.41) and intense (C* 14.49 v. 12.35) coloured compared to the control diet without vegetable oils. To the effect of the vitamin E supplementation of vegetable oil containing feed redness of the thigh decreased (a* 4.41 v 5.44) and hue increased (h° 58.63 v. 49.76). The source of vitamin E supplement influenced only the colour of loin: natural vitamin E increased lightness (L* 53.03 v. 49.62), yellowness (3.86 v. 3.04) and chromacity (3.96 v. 3.25) while synthetic vitamin E did not. The changes of loin, thigh and fat colour observed in this study may be utilized in making the product more desirable to the consumer.
Alasnier, C., Rémignon, H. & Gandemer, G. (1996): Lipid characteristics associated with oxidative and glycolytic fibres in rabbit muscles. Meat Sci. , 43 , 213–224.
Gandemer G. , 'Lipid characteristics associated with oxidative and glycolytic fibres in rabbit muscles ' (1996 ) 43 Meat Sci. : 213 -224.
Ayres, S., Tang, M. & Subbiah, M.T. (1996): Estradiol-17beta as an antioxidant: Some distinct features when compared with common fat-soluble antioxidants. J. Lab. Clin. Med. , 128 , 367–375.
Subbiah M.T. , 'Estradiol-17beta as an antioxidant: Some distinct features when compared with common fat-soluble antioxidants ' (1996 ) 128 J. Lab. Clin. Med. : 367 -375.
Bernardini, M., Dal Bosco, A. & Castellini, C. (1999): Equilibration of dietary α-tocopherol and oxidative stability of rabbit meat and fat. -in: Proceedings of 13th Congress of Italian Scientific Association of Animal Production, Piacenza, Italy . pp. 641–643.
Bianchi, M., Beti, M., Petracci, M. & Cavani, C. (2003): Technological characteristics of rabbit meat with raised n-3 PUFA. Ital. J. Anim. Sci. , 2 (Suppl. 1), 444–446
Cavani C. , 'Technological characteristics of rabbit meat with raised n-3 PUFA ' (2003 ) 2 Ital. J. Anim. Sci. : 444 -446.
Bourre, J. M. (2005): Enrichissement de l’alimentation des animaux avec les acides gras omega-3: impact sur la valeur nutritionnelle de leurs produits pour l–homme. (Effect of increasing omega-3 fatty acid in the diets of animals on the animal products consumed by humans.) Med. Sci. (Paris), 21 , 773–779.
Bourre J. M. , 'Enrichissement de l’alimentation des animaux avec les acides gras omega-3: impact sur la valeur nutritionnelle de leurs produits pour l–homme ' (2005 ) 21 Med. Sci. (Paris) : 773 -779.
Buckley, D.J., Morrissey, P.A. & Gray, J.I. (1995): Influence of dietary vitamin E on the oxidative stability and quality of pig meat. J. Anim. Sci. , 73 , 3122–3130.
Gray J.I. , 'Influence of dietary vitamin E on the oxidative stability and quality of pig meat ' (1995 ) 73 J. Anim. Sci. : 3122 -3130.
Castellini, C., Dal Bosco, A., Bernardini, M. & Cyril, H.W. (1998): Effect of dietary vitamin E on the oxidative stability of raw and cooked rabbit meat. Meat Sci. , 50 , 153–161.
Cyril H.W. , 'Effect of dietary vitamin E on the oxidative stability of raw and cooked rabbit meat ' (1998 ) 50 Meat Sci. : 153 -161.
Cavani, C., Bianchi, M., Lazzaroni, C., Luzi, F., Minelli, G. & Petracci, M. (2000): Influence of type of rearing, slaughter age and sex on fattening rabbit. II. Meat quality. -in: Proceedings 7th World Rabbit Congress, Valencia, Spain . World Rabbit Science 8. Suppl. 1. Vol. A. pp. 567–573.
Petracci M. , 'Influence of type of rearing, slaughter age and sex on fattening rabbit. II. Meat quality ' (2000 ) A Proceedings 7th World Rabbit Congress, Valencia, Spain : 567 -573.
CIE (1976): Official recommendations on uniform colour spaces, colour differences equations and metric colour terms . Suppl. 2 to CIE Publications n. 15. Commission Internationale de Eclairage, Colorimetry. Paris, France.
'', in Official recommendations on uniform colour spaces, colour differences equations and metric colour terms , (1976 ) -.
Corino, C., Lo Fiego, D.P., Macchioni, P., Pastorelli, G., Di Giancamillo, A., Domeneghini, C. & Rossi, R. (2007): Influence of dietary conjugated linolenic acids and vitamin E on meat quality, and adipose tissue in rabbits. Meat Sci. , 76 , 19–28
Rossi R. , 'Influence of dietary conjugated linolenic acids and vitamin E on meat quality, and adipose tissue in rabbits ' (2007 ) 76 Meat Sci. : 19 -28.
Dal Bosco, A., Castellini, C., Bianchi, L. & Mugnai, C. (2004): Effect of dietary α-linolenic acid and vitamin E on the fatty acid composition, storage stability and sensory traits of rabbit meat. Meat Sci. , 66 , 407–413.
Mugnai C. , 'Effect of dietary α-linolenic acid and vitamin E on the fatty acid composition, storage stability and sensory traits of rabbit meat ' (2004 ) 66 Meat Sci. : 407 -413.
Eiben, Cs., Tóbiás, G., Gódor, S., Végi, B., Virág, GY., Zsédely, E., Tóth, T. & Schmidt, J. (2006): A nyúltáp napraforgó- és lenolaj kiegészítésének hatása: 1. Növekedés és vágóérték. (Influence of sunflower and linseed oil supplementation of rabbit feed: 1. Growth and carcass traits.) -in: 18. Nyúltenyésztési Tudományos Nap , Kaposvár, pp. 51–57.
Givens, D.I., Kliem, K.E. & Gibbs, R.A. (2006): The role of meat as a source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the human diet. Meat Sci. , 74 , 209–218
Gibbs R.A. , 'The role of meat as a source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the human diet ' (2006 ) 74 Meat Sci. : 209 -218.
Gondret, F., Mourot, J., Lebas, F. & Bonneau, M. (1998): Effects of dietary fatty acids on lipogenesis and lipid traits in muscle, adipose tissue and liver of growing rabbits. Anim. Sci. , 66 , 483–489.
Bonneau M. , 'Effects of dietary fatty acids on lipogenesis and lipid traits in muscle, adipose tissue and liver of growing rabbits ' (1998 ) 66 Anim. Sci. : 483 -489.
Grashorn, M.A., Zimmermann, J. & Bessei, W. (1996): Meat quality features of light and heavy types of New Zealand White rabbits. -in: Proceedings 6th World Rabbit Congress, Toulouse . Vol. 3., pp. 173–175.
Bessei W. , 'Meat quality features of light and heavy types of New Zealand White rabbits ' (1996 ) 3 Proceedings 6th World Rabbit Congress, Toulouse : 173 -175.
Hasty, J.L., Van Heugten, E., See, M.T. & Larick, D.K. (2002): Effect of vitamin E on improving fresh pork quality in Berkshire- and Hampshire-sired pigs. J. Anim. Sci. , 80 , 3230–3237.
Larick D.K. , 'Effect of vitamin E on improving fresh pork quality in Berkshire- and Hampshire-sired pigs ' (2002 ) 80 J. Anim. Sci. : 3230 -3237.
Irie, M. (2001): Optical evaluation of factors affecting appearance of bovine fat. Meat Sci. , 57 , 19–22.
Irie M. , 'Optical evaluation of factors affecting appearance of bovine fat ' (2001 ) 57 Meat Sci. : 19 -22.
Jensen, C., Skibsted, L.H., Jakobsen, K. & Bertelsen, G. (1995): Supplementation of broiler diets with all-racalpha- or a mixture of natural source RRR-alpha-,gamma-,delta-tocopheryl acetate. 2. Effect on the oxidative stability of raw and precooked broiler meat products. Poult. Sci. , 74 , 2048–2056.
Bertelsen G. , 'Supplementation of broiler diets with all-racalpha- or a mixture of natural source RRR-alpha-,gamma-,delta-tocopheryl acetate. 2. Effect on the oxidative stability of raw and precooked broiler meat products ' (1995 ) 74 Poult. Sci. : 2048 -2056.
Lauridsen, C., Nielsen, J.H., Henckel, P. & Sorensen, M.T. (1999): Antioxidative and oxidative status in muscles of pigs fed rapeseed oil, vitamin E and copper. J. Anim. Sci. , 77 , 105–115.
Sorensen M.T. , 'Antioxidative and oxidative status in muscles of pigs fed rapeseed oil, vitamin E and copper ' (1999 ) 77 J. Anim. Sci. : 105 -115.
Lebas, F., Jehl, N., Juin, H. & Delmas, D. (2000): Influence of the male rabbit castration on meat quality. 2. Physicochemical and sensory quality. -in: Proceedings 7th World Rabbit Congress, Valencia, Spain . World Rabbit Science 8 Suppl. 1.Vol. A. pp. 599–606.
Delmas D. , 'Influence of the male rabbit castration on meat quality. 2. Physicochemical and sensory quality ' (2000 ) A Proceedings 7th World Rabbit Congress, Valencia, Spain : 599 -606.
Lindahl, G., Lundstrom, K. & Tornberg, E. (2001): Contribution of pigment content, myoglobin forms and internal reflectance to the colour of pork loin and ham from pure breed pigs. Meat Sci. , 59 , 141–151.
Tornberg E. , 'Contribution of pigment content, myoglobin forms and internal reflectance to the colour of pork loin and ham from pure breed pigs ' (2001 ) 59 Meat Sci. : 141 -151.
Lopez-Bote, C., Rey, A., Ruiz, J., Isabel, B. & Sanz Arias, R. (1997): Effect of feeding diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids and α-tocopheryl acetate to rabbits on resulting carcass fatty acid profile and lipid oxidation. Anim. Sci. , 64 , 177–186.
Sanz Arias R. , 'Effect of feeding diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids and α-tocopheryl acetate to rabbits on resulting carcass fatty acid profile and lipid oxidation ' (1997 ) 64 Anim. Sci. : 177 -186.
Lynch, M.P. & Faustman, C. (2000): Effect of aldehyde lipid oxidation products on myoglobin. J. agric. Fd Chem. , 48 , 600–604.
Faustman C. , 'Effect of aldehyde lipid oxidation products on myoglobin ' (2000 ) 48 J. agric. Fd Chem. : 600 -604.
Lynch, M.P., Faustman, C., Chan, W.K.M., Kerry, J.P. & Buckley, D.J. (1998): A potential mechanism by which α-tocopherol maintains oxymyoglobin pigment through cytochrome b5 mediated reduction. Meat Sci. , 50 , 333–342.
Buckley D.J. , 'A potential mechanism by which α-tocopherol maintains oxymyoglobin pigment through cytochrome b5 mediated reduction ' (1998 ) 50 Meat Sci. : 333 -342.
Oliver, M.A., Guerrero, L., Diaz, I., Gispert, M., Pla, M. & Blasco, A. (1997): The effect of fat-enriched diets on the perirenal fat quality and sensory characteristics of meat from rabbits. Meat Sci. , 47 , 95–103.
Blasco A. , 'The effect of fat-enriched diets on the perirenal fat quality and sensory characteristics of meat from rabbits ' (1997 ) 47 Meat Sci. : 95 -103.
Oriani, G., Corino, C., Pastorelli, G., Pantaleo, L., Ritieni, A. & Salvatori, G. (2001): Oxidative status of plasma and muscle in rabbits supplemented with dietary vitamin E. J. Nutr. Biochem. , 12 , 138–143.
Salvatori G. , 'Oxidative status of plasma and muscle in rabbits supplemented with dietary vitamin E ' (2001 ) 12 J. Nutr. Biochem. : 138 -143.
Perédi, J. (2002): Lehetőségek a hazai lakosság n-3 zsírsav-ellátottságának javítására. (Possibilities for correction of n-3 fatty acids insufficiency in the Hungarian population.) Orv. Hetil. (Budapest), 143 , 2587–2591.
Perédi J. , 'Lehetőségek a hazai lakosság n-3 zsírsav-ellátottságának javítására ' (2002 ) 143 Orv. Hetil. (Budapest) : 2587 -2591.
Polak, T., Gasperlin, L., Rajar, A. & Zlender, B. (2006): Influence of genotype lines, age at slaughter and sexes on the composition of rabbit meat. Fd Technol. Biotechnol. , 44 , 65–73.
Zlender B. , 'Influence of genotype lines, age at slaughter and sexes on the composition of rabbit meat ' (2006 ) 44 Fd Technol. Biotechnol. : 65 -73.
Trocino, A., Xiccato, G., Queaque, P.I. & Sartori, A. (2003): Effect of transport duration and gender on rabbit carcass and meat quality. World Rabbit Sci. , 11 (1), 23–32.
Sartori A. , 'Effect of transport duration and gender on rabbit carcass and meat quality ' (2003 ) 11 World Rabbit Sci. : 23 -32.
Zsédely, E., Tóth, T., Eiben, Cs., Tóbiás, G., Gódor, S-né, Végi, B., Virág, Gy. & Schmidt, J. (2006): A nyúltáp napraforgó- és lenolaj kiegészítésének hatása. 2. A nyúlhús és máj táplálóanyag- és zsírsavösszetétele. (Influence of sunflower and linseed oil supplementation of rabbit feed. 2. Composition and fatty acids profile of the meat and liver of rabbits.) -in: 18. Nyúltenyésztési Tudományos Nap, Kaposvár . pp. 59–65.