Abstract

Interest in beef fatty acid composition relates to produce healthier foods, i.e. with a higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), because meat is considered a food with excessive fat. The main objective was to determine the relationship of g.17924A>G polymorphism in FASN gene with the fatty acid composition of Longissimus dorsi muscle of Aberdeen Angus beef cattle. Polymorphism g.17924A>G was identified by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism). Fatty acids of L. dorsi muscle were analyzed and quantified by gas chromatography. In this study, animals with the g.17924GG genotype have higher contents of palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1n9c) (P<0.05), and no differences in the contents of other saturated fatty acids (P>0.05). Indirectly, the animals with this genotype have a higher content of monounsaturated fatty acids (P<0.05) than animals with g.17924AA genotype. In addition, animals with the g.17924GG genotype have higher contents of the main isomers of conjugated linoleic acid and a higher fat content (P<0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest a relation of TE polymorphism in FASN gene with a beef fatty acid composition more healthy.