Moderately oxidized oils and dietary zinc and α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation: effects on the oxidative stability of rabbit plasma, liver, and meat.

The aim of this study was to assess the alterations in plasma, liver, and meat oxidative stability and α-tocopherol content when moderately oxidized sunflower oils were added to feeds and when feeds were supplemented with α-tocopheryl acetate (100 mg/kg) and Zn (200 mg/kg). The effects of cooking the meat and its subsequent refrigeration were also studied. When the content of primary oxidation compounds of the oil was high, rabbit plasma, liver, and meat α-tocopherol content was reduced and meat susceptibility to oxidation increased. The addition of oil with a high content of secondary oxidation compounds (oil heated at 140 °C, 31 h) to feed also led to an increase in meat susceptibility to oxidation, although it presented an α-tocopherol content similar to that of nonheated oil. Feed supplementation with α-tocopheryl acetate increased tissue α-tocopherol content and improved the oxidative stability of liver and meat. However, in the latter, it was less effective when oil heated at 55 °C was added.