Fattening of Polish Holstein-Friesian × Limousin Bulls under Two Production Systems and Its Effect on the Fatty Acid Profiles of Different Fat Depots

Monika Sobczuk-Szul,Paulina Pogorzelska-Przybyłek,Martyna Momot,Zenon Nogalski,Magdalena Mochol

doi:10.3390/ani11113078

Monika Sobczuk-Szul, Paulina Pogorzelska-Przybyłek + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11113078

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Abstract

Simple SummaryCattle raised under different production systems differ in their ability to accumulate adipose tissue. Whereas the deposition of intramuscular fat is usually considered beneficial, excessive amounts of subcutaneous and internal fat are undesirable. This study compared the fatty acid (FA) profiles of four types of fat depots from crossbred bulls (Polish Holstein-Friesian × Limousin, PHF × LM) fattened semi-intensively (SI) and intensively (I). Intramuscular fat was most abundant in total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 and n-6 PUFAs, and functional fatty acids C 18:2, C 18:3, C 20:4 and C 20:5 in comparison with the remaining fat types. Furthermore, note that external fat was more abundant in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than other fat types. This finding may have implications for both the beef industry and, due to the observed differences in FA composition, human health.This study was designed to compare the fatty acid (FA) profiles of four types of fat depots from crossbred bulls (Polish Holstein-Friesian × Limousin, PHF × LM) fattened semi-intensively (SI) and intensively (I). Intramuscular fat was most abundant in total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), n-3 and n-6 PUFAs, and functional fatty acids C 18:2, C 18:3, C 20:4 and C 20:5 in comparison with the remaining fat types. Furthermore, note that external fat was more abundant in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than other fat types. Grass silage fed to cattle during fattening had a beneficial influence on the FA profile of beef, and an increase in the amount of concentrate in the ration did not decrease beef quality.

Highlights

Recent years have witnessed increasing interest in the quality of beef rather than factors such as the growth rate of cattle or carcass composition, which used to be the main focus of producers
The higher fat cover of bulls in the SI production system resulted in a higher proportion of fat in the three-rib cut and higher intramuscular fat content of the carcass
Rodríguez-Vázquez et al [24] observed that cattle grazing pasture had lower intramuscular fat content than those fed grain or concentrate, which is consistent with the findings of Mezgebo et al [25] who suggested that the diet based on concentrates increases intramuscular fat content

Summary

Introduction

Recent years have witnessed increasing interest in the quality of beef rather than factors such as the growth rate of cattle or carcass composition, which used to be the main focus of producers. Grass-fed beef has been gaining popularity because it supports trends towards more extensive land use and delivers health benefits due to its favorable fatty acid (FA) profile, including elevated proportions of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and n-3 FAs [1,2]. Fat can exert both positive and negative effects on human health, depending on its FA composition [3]. The FA composition of adipose tissue is determined by the nutritional regime of cattle and the length of the fattening period [13,14]

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