Oxidative status in rabbit supplemented with dietary false flax seed (Camelina sativa)

The trial was carried out to investigate the effects on oxidative status of the rabbit of adding different levels of false flax (Camelina sativa) seeds. About 30 weaned crossbred rabbits aged 70 days and weighing on average 2316 g were equally divided into 3 groups of 10 (sex ratio 1:1). Animals were assigned to three isocaloric and isonitrogenous dietary treatments containing 0, 10 and 15% of FFS. All diets were pelleted. Feed and water was available ad libitum to the animals. Animals oxidative status was investigated by TBARS test on meat samples to evaluate lipid oxidation and PAO-test on plasma samples to evaluate total plasmatic antioxidant power. Antioxidants content of the diet was assessed by DPPH Radical-Scavenging Activity Method. A previous study showed that FFS supplementation of rabbit diets improved fatty acids composition of rabbit meat. In this research, data confirmed that FFS included in rabbit's diet at these levels do not increase oxidation neither in meat nor in animals. In conclusion, exploiting seeds rich both in PUFA and in antioxidant substances, it is possible to produce meat with an improved fatty acids composition without increase oxidation in animals and in meat devoted to human nutrition.