Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of diets composed by cottonseed hull and meat aging on carcass characteristics and meat quality from young bulls fed on a high-concentrate system. Thirty crossbred bulls were assigned in a complete randomized experimental factorial design with three diets (CH21: cottonseed hull 210 g kg-1on a DM basis, CH27: cottonseed hull 270 g kg-1on a DM basis and CH33: cottonseed hull 330 g kg-1on a DM basis) and different aging times (24 hours and 3, 7 and 14 days). Meat from CH27 diets presented smaller LM moisture content (p < 0.05). Total lipids were smaller in CH33 diet (p <0.05). At 24 hours, CH21 diet presented smaller LM cooking loss than other diets. The increasing aging time reduced the shear force (p < 0.001) on the LM. Meat from CH27 diet presented the highest luminosity (p < 0.05) and yellowness values (p < 0.001). Three or seven aging days presented smaller values of LM luminosity. Likewise, the increasing aging time presented greater (p < 0.05) yellowness within the LM. Lipid oxidation was lower from CH21 diet (p < 0.001). The fatty acid composition on LM was similar among diets. The use of cottonseed hull could be useful strategies to improve the meat quality and lean beef production.
Highlights
Beef production and meat quality are influenced by nutritional contents, feeding systems, gender and animal age (Rotta et al, 2009)
Brazilian beef production is essentially based on a pasture system, which may increase the slaughter age and affect the meat quality
Fat, and bone compositions of the carcasses are influenced by the animal's breed; the fat percentage of the carcasses may be influenced by feed, feeding strategies, animal age, gender and crossbreeding (Campo et al, 2008; Warren et al, 2008)
Summary
Beef production and meat quality are influenced by nutritional contents, feeding systems, gender and animal age (Rotta et al, 2009). Brazilian beef production is essentially based on a pasture system, which may increase the slaughter age and affect the meat quality. The Brazilian market has been shifted toward the production of lean beef following market requirements. Animal Sciences market demands a carcass with a high percentage of lean meat, and the adequate fat distribution determines the market price (Realini et al, 2013). Highly efficient productive systems should be employed to maximize the growth of beef cattle, increase the meat quality, and reduce the age of cattle at slaughter
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