In this reviewa large number of studieswere described which show
the potential to strategically enhance the meat by feeding fatty acids
considered beneficial to human health. Concerning n−3 PUFA, especially
the very-long chain PUFA, poultry might be the best option as it
is difficult to achieve in ruminants and off-flavors may be perceived
more adverse in pork than poultry meat. By contrast, there are various
natural ways to enhance CLA in ruminant meat, building on the ability
of the ruminal microbes to synthesize CLA or precursors of them. For
an increase in monogastric animals, purified CLA sources are required
or, if confirmed in its efficiency, vaccenic acid for instance obtained
from hydrogenated plant oils. Feeding a mixture of n−3 PUFA and VA
to monogastric animals might have additive and thus particularly
positive effects in this respect. A restriction for both groups of fatty
acids, but especially for CLA, is that the very high intakes needed for a
nutritional effect in man are greater than can be provided by meat
alone. In addition, an important question to be solved is that of where
to get the corresponding feeds at a reasonable price and in a sustainable
manner, i.e. fromsourceswhich are not conflicting with world nutritionhigh-priced markets and to use foodwastes like non-food grade sources
ofmarine origin in order to spare the world's resources of sea fish. Still it
has to be considered that the levels of the PUFA in question can only be
enhanced to a clearly lower degree than what is found in foods of
marine origin.and scarce resources. Optionsmay consist in selling themeat to special