Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the growth performance, carcass characteristics, physico-chemical properties and fatty acid composition of muscle tissues of Hanwoo steers when they were fed diets containing four levels of E. ulmoides leaves. Steers were allotted to one of four dietary treatments, which were designed to progressively substitute Eucommia ulmoides for 0, 3, 5 and 10% of the rice straw in the basal diet. Seventy two Hanwoo steers (321±13kg) were used. Average daily gain (0.81 0.86kg) and feed ~ conversion (10.05 10.59) were not changed by feeding ~ E. ulmoides leaves. Emission of fecal ammonia gas was decreased by increasing substitution levels of E. ulmoides leaves. Emission of ammonia gas in feces of steers were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the 5% and 10% treatments at 40 compared with ℃ in control (30.6 ppm) and 3% treatment (29.8 ppm), respectively 20.3 and 21.6ppm. Back fat thickness was higher (p<0.05) in steers fed control diet (15.0mm) than 5 and 10% E. ulmoides diets (10.2 and 10.5mm respectively). The grade 'A' appearances of meat yield of steers were increased up to 20% by the 3% substitution of E. ulmoides leaves, and the grades '1 + ' and '1' appearances of meat quality were significantly improved (p<0.05) by the 5 and 10% Eucommia ulmoides feeding. There was no statistical difference in meat color of loin and top round among all treatments. It appeared that the 5% and 10% E. ulmoides leaves feeding affected (p<0.05) a increase in oleic acid concentration in loin and top round muscles. The concentration of serum cholesterol was lower (p<0.05) in steers fed 10% E. ulmoides

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