Volatile organic compounds and palatability of concentrates fed to lambs and ewes

Abstract The aromatic characteristics of concentrate feeds can affect feed intake in ruminants. In a previous study, the palatability of 14 feeds, mostly concentrates, was tested in lambs and mature dry ewes. In this study, the volatile profile of those feeds was measured by electronic nose analysis and gas chromatography–olfactometry as well as by mass spectrometry and the identified compounds were associated with their palatability. Another concentrate feed (barley meal) was used in the training of the animals for the palatability tests and was also subjected to the same instrumental analysis. Feed palatability by the lambs ranged from 0 mg/kg BW to 1379 mg/kg BW in a preference gradient that did not show clear cuts among types of feeds. The ewes, instead, showed clear preferences, with higher ( P