The aim of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with flax and alfalfa sprouts on fatty
acid, tocopherol and phytochemical contents of rabbit meat. Ninety weaned New Zealand White rabbits were
assigned to three dietary groups: standard diet (S); standard diet + 20 g/d of alfalfa sprouts (A); and standard
diet + 20 g/d of flax sprouts (F). In the F rabbits the Longissimus dorsi muscle showed a higher thio-barbituric
acid-reactive value and at the same time significantly higher values of alpha-linolenic acid, total polyunsaturated
and n-3 fatty acids. Additionally n-3/n-6 ratio and thrombogenic indices were improved. The meat of A rabbits
showed intermediate values of the previously reported examined parameters. Dietary supplementation with
sprouts produced meat with a higher total phytoestrogen content.
The addition of fresh alfalfa and flax sprouts to commercial feed modified the fat content, fatty acid and
phytochemical profile of the meat, but the flax ones worsened the oxidative status of meat.