Comparing lamb's meat quality of autochthonous sheep breeds Sarda and Mallorquina under different feeding management systems

摘要

In Mediterranean regions, grazing systems are environmentally and socially important, but they are at risk of disappearing due to the lack of profitability. To focus on the higher quality of their production could be a strategy to preserve them. In Sardinia and the Mallorca Islands there are two autochthonous sheep breeds reared on rangeland systems that are genetically correlated. The aim of this study was to compare lamb's meat quality of these breeds and analyse their relationship with feeding management. Three types of lambs were differentiated according to carcass weight and feeding management in both breeds: Sucking lambs (milk), Light lambs (pasture), Heavy lambs (concentrate). A total of 108 lambs were selected from a data base and fatty acid (FA) profile and chemical composition were analysed. According to Iamb types, FA profile was better for Sucking and Light lambs: less saturated FA and higher CLA content. According to breed, Sarda presented lower fat and higher protein content. For therest ot parameters analysed, there was an interaction, Lamb type x Breed presented, in general, better meat quality for the Sarda's Sucking lamb. Both breeds show an optimal meat quality, in particular in the traditional pasture systems.