Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Rapeseed and Linseed Oil on the Composition of Fatty Acids in Porcine Muscle Tissue

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary supplementation with rapeseed and linseed oils on changes of the fatty acid profile in porcine meat. The research was conducted on 45 fattening pigs divided into three groups. Group 1 was given a diet with 2% of sunflower oil, group 2 was given a diet with 2% of rapeseed oil and group 3 was given a diet supplemented with 2% of linseed oil. The highest content of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the most favourable ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA was determined in the meat of pigs that were fed diets with linseed oil (P < 0.001), whereas the meat of pigs that were fed diets with sunflower oil had an unfavourable ratio of these acids. The results point out the necessity of finding out optimal portions of forages rich in PUFA to improve the ratio of fatty acids in porcine muscle tissue. Pigs, fatty acids, PUFA, n-6/n-3 ratio The content and composition of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids in human nutrition is important for human health protection. A high content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) contained in food, and an unfavourable ratio of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) can be a cause of many cardiovascular diseases. Porcine meat contains