Intramuscular Phospholipid Fatty Acid Deposition in Male Hyla Rabbits during Different Growth Periods: Dynamic Patterns and Partial Least Squares Regression Analysis
XUE Shan;HE Zhi-fei;LI Hong-jun
Chongqing Special of Food Engineering Technology Research Center, College of Food Science, Southwest University,
Chongqing 400715, China
Abstract：This study determined using gas chromatography the fatty acid composition of intramuscular phospholipids
in muscles at different anatomical locations (longissimus dorsi, LD; left hind leg muscle, LL; abdominal muscles, AM)
of male Hyla rabbits at different ages (days). Results of a comparative analysis showed that intramuscular fat contents
of LD, LL and AM muscles significantly increased with the age of rabbits (P ＜ 0.05), whereas the opposite trend was
observed for phospholipids content (P ＜ 0.05). Among the three muscles tested, LL had the highest relative amount of
phospholipids, followed by LD, and AM was the lowest. Despite this, no significant changes were found in the content of
fat and phospholipids relative to fresh muscles. Between 35 and 90 days of age, all the three muscles showed a significant
increase in the proportions of saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acids (P ＜ 0.05) and consequently a
significant reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Partial least squares regression (PLS2) analysis revealed that
rabbit meat had better nutritional value at 35 days of age and better suitability for processing at 90 days. Phospholipidfatty
acid composition of LD, LL and AM muscles varied significantly with age. LL showed the highest relative amount of
intramuscular phospholipids and had better nutritional value in terms of its fatty acid composition.
2014, Vol. 28 
