Extensive Analysis of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated
Fatty Acids, CLA, trans-18:1 Isomers, and Plasmalogenic Lipids in Different
Retail Beef Types
Kraft, Jana, John K.G. Kramer, Friedrich Schoene, Jim R. Chambers, and
Gerhard Jahreis.
The objective of this investigation was to provide a comprehensive
analysis of the total lipid composition
of present-day retail beef meat available at the consumer level and to
evaluate the total lipid
composition with special emphasis on the nutritional value. For this
purpose, 40 beef cuts were
obtained from four cattle farms based on either a natural grazing system
(NGS) or an intensive
production system (IPS). The total lipid composition was analyzed using
complementary chemical
and chromatographic procedures. The content of n-3 LC-PUFA, CLA,
total trans-18:1, and branchedchain
fatty acids was significantly higher in NGS beef than in IPS beef. The trans-18:1
and CLA
profiles were affected by the different production systems, whereby they
can be utilized empirically
to differentiate between feeding regimen and production management. Fatty
acid ratios that have
health implications (n-6/n-3, LA/RLNA, and AA/EPA) were
remarkably beneficial for NGS beef
compared with IPS beef. In conclusion, from the human health perspective,
beef raised on NGS is
clearly superior with regard to a more favorable fatty acid profile in
comparison to IPS beef.
Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, June 2008, 56:4775-4782.
