Meat quality, metabolic profile and antioxidant status of lambs fed on seedless grape pomace (Vitis vinifera L.)

Abstract This study aimed to research the effect of the seedless grape pomace (GP) added to feed mixture on meat quality, metabolic profile, and antioxidant status of Merinolandschaf lambs. The 90-day-old lambs in the control group (C, n=10) were fed feed mixture without GP while in experimental groups they were fed with 10% (GP10, n=10) or 20% (GP20, n=10) of GP in feed mixture for 30 days. There was a significant increase in L*, a* values and hue angle as well as a decrease in b* values of lamb carcasses in GP10 and GP20 compared to C group. When lambs were fed GP glucose concentrations decreased, while non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) increased on the 30th day in GP10 and GP20 compared with C group. A significant increase in SOD activity on day 30 and GPx activity on day 15 in lambs’ blood of GP10 and GP20 compared with C group was determined. Also, an increase in DPPH in lamb GP10 and GP20 compared with C was determined. The obtained results of the meat quality, metabolic profile and antioxidant status parameters of lamb meat showed that the use of 10% GP in the diet is justified, while 20% of GP was questionable.