Natural Oregano Essential Oil May Replace Antibiotics in Lamb Diets: Effects on Meat Quality

Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of oregano essential oil (OEO) and monensin sodium on the oxidative stability, colour, texture, and the fatty acid profile of lamb meat (m. Longissimus lumborum). Twenty Dorper x Pelibuey lambs were randomly divided into five treatments; control (CON), monensin sodium (SM, Rumensin 200® 33 mg/kg), a low level of OEO (LO, 0.2 g/kg dry matter (DM)), a medium level of OEO (MO, 0.3g/ kg DM), and a high level of OEO (HO, 0.4 g/kg DM). Dietary supplementation of OEO at any concentration lowered the compression strength in comparison with CON and SM. MO had the highest a* values (7.99) and fatty acid concentration (C16:1n7, C18:1n9c, C18:1n6c, C20:1n9, and C18:2n6c) during storage for 7 d at 3 °C. Lipid oxidation was not promoted (p > 0.05) by the moderated supplementation of oregano essential oil; however, OEO at 0.3 g/kg DM showed a slight lipid pro-oxidant effect. Dietary supplementation of MO and SM had the same effect on colour, tenderness, and the fatty acid profile of lamb (L. lumborum). It was demonstrated that oregano essential oil was beneficial for lambs feeding, and it could be a natural alternative to replace monensin in lamb diets with improvements in the quality of the meat.

Blend of Essential Oils Supplemented Alone or Combined with Exogenous Amylase Compared with Virginiamycin Supplementation on Finishing Lambs: Performance, Dietary Energetics, Carcass Traits, and Nutrient Digestion

“…It has been proposed that supplemental EO may have potential as an energy “repartitioning” agent, affecting net fat deposition and distribution [ 50 ]. This may partially explain changes in meat quality of lambs supplemented with EO [ 51 , 52 ]. To the extent that EO reduces ruminal acetate: propionate ratio [ 6 , 43 ], the associated increase in propionate production may lead to decreased visceral fat deposition [ 53 ].…”

Inclusion of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Extract in the Diet of Growing Lambs: Effects on Blood Parameters, Animal Performance, and Carcass Traits

“…Several plants and their extracts can be used as feed supplements [9][10][11], and the leaves of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is a typical product used for human nutrition in South American countries. Its bioactive compounds are mainly composed by phenolic compounds [12][13][14], alkaloids [15,16] and saponins [17][18][19][20].…”

Toward a New Future for Essential Oils

“…The role of EOs as feeding agents for farm animals and their effect on meat quality is a topic of interest. The beneficial effect of oregano EO administration on animal diet was demonstrated by Garcia-Galicia et al [ 29 ] in a study on lambs. This work demonstrates that oregano EO was beneficial for lambs feeding and could be a natural alternative to replace monensin in lamb diets, with improvements demonstrated in the quality of the meat.…”