Metabolomics analysis reveals how feed intake-regulated nutritional compensation strategies promote flavor precursor accumulation and aroma formation in sheep meat

Feed intake–regulated nutritional compensation is widely applied in ruminant production, yet its metabolic mechanisms underlying meat flavor formation remain unclear. This study used an integrated metabolomics approach to evaluate how graded feed restriction followed by refeeding regulates flavor precursor metabolism in Gangba sheep. Feed restriction at 85% of ad libitum intake increased taste-active free amino acids and monounsaturated fatty acids and enhanced aroma intensity detected by an electronic nose. Untargeted metabolomics revealed coordinated activation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, redox homeostasis, and bile acid–related pathways, establishing an anabolic state that promoted precursor accumulation and conversion. In contrast, moderate and high restriction shifted muscle metabolism toward oxidative and energy-compensatory pathways, limiting flavor improvement. These findings suggest that restriction at 85% of ad libitum intake followed by refeeding enhances meat flavor via coordinated metabolic regulation, providing a mechanistic basis for precision feeding strategies under feed-limited plateau systems.