Carcass Quality Characteristics Research Articles

Effects of dietary organic acids and essential oils on growth performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens

SUMMARY A study was conducted to investigate the effects of organic acid salts (calcium propionate and calcium formate) and plant extracts (a blend of clove and cinnamon essential oils) on growth performance and carcass quality characteristics in broilers. Four experimental diets were fed from 1 to 46 d of age: diet C (control) without any added compounds, diet A with organic acid salts (5,120 ppm of formic acid and 2,080 ppm of propionic acid), diet O with essential oils (clove and cinnamon) in the amount of 100 ppm, and diet AO with a blend of organic acid salts (5,120 ppm of formic acid and 2,080 ppm of propionic acid) and plant extracts (containing a blend of clove and cinnamon essential oils in the amount of 100 ppm). A total of 1,320 Ross chicks were distributed into 24 groups with 55 broilers in each, giving 6 replicates per treatment. Growth performance parameters (BW, ADG, and FCR) were evaluated at 15, 21, and 46 d. The tested supplements had no influence on BW or ADG, but the FCR were significantly worse for birds receiving diets A or AO for the whole experimental period compared with those given diets C or O. Carcass weight was not influenced by the supplements. However, breast weight (% of carcass) was higher in diet O than in diets C, A, or AO. It was concluded from this experiment that clove and cinnamon essential oils showed a potential advantage over calcium propionate and calcium formate for improving FCR and percentage of breast weight.

Avaliação de prebióticos como promotor de crescimento para suínos nas fases de recria e terminação

This experiment was conducted with the aim to evaluate the prebiotics as growth promoter in the rations to growing and finishing pigs over the performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics. Forty-eight castrated male pigs with the same genetic background were evaluated. The animals were allocated with 32.48 ± 3.71 kg of body weight with 72 days of age, been slaughtered with 115.89 ± 7.42 kg with 156 days of age. The experimental design was a randomized blocks with four treatments, six repetitions, been each pen, with two animals, considered one experimental unit. To the carcass and meat evaluation the experimental design was completely randomized, been each animal considered one repetition. According to the rations additives, the following treatments were established: T1- control (ration without growth promoter); T2- 0.2% prebiotics (0.1% mannanoligosaccharide + 0.1% fructooligosaccharide); T3- apramicine 15 ppm; T4- 0.2% prebiotics (0.1% mannanoligosaccharide + 0.1% fructooligosaccharide) + apramicine 15 ppm. The animals’ performance was analyzed considering the Phase I (between 30 to 50 kg of body weight), II (between 30 to 80 kg of body weight) and Total (between 30 to the slaughter). There were no differences (P>0.05) between the treatments to the performance parameters considering the Total phase. The loin eye area characteristic was better (P < 0.05) to the animals treated with prebiotics compared to the control treatment. No differences were observed between the treatments to the meat quality and sensorial characteristics (P < 0.05). The use of prebiotics to growing and finishing pigs demonstrated similar results on the performance, carcass and meat characteristics compared with apramicine treatment.

Animal performance and fatty acid composition of lambs fed with different vegetable oils

Twenty-seven lambs were used to investigate the effects of the inclusion of 4% hydrogenated palm oil (HPO) or sunflower oil (SFO) in the concentrate on animal performance, carcass and meat quality and fat characteristics and fatty acid composition. Animals (16.2 ± 0.27 kg initial weight) were fed concentrate (Control, HPO or SFO) and barley straw ad libitum and slaughtered at 25 kg. SFO lambs tended to eat less concentrate than HPO animals ( P < 0.10). Neither HPO nor SFO affected any of the carcass characteristics studied, meat pH and meat and fat colour ( P > 0.05). SFO decreased proportions of C16:0, C18:1 cis- 11 and C18:3 ( P < 0.05) and increased C18:1 trans ( P < 0.001) and C18:2/C18:3 ratio ( P < 0.05). Atherogenicity index was lower ( P < 0.05) when SFO was included in the concentrate. HPO did not affected and SFO improved fatty acid composition of fattening lambs without affecting animal performance.

The effect of feeding graded level of palm kernel meal diets on performance, Carcass quality and organ characteristics of pigs maintained in the humid tropics

The effect of feeding graded level of palm kernel meal diets on performance, Carcass quality and organ characteristics of pigs maintained in the humid tropics

Effects of electro-fishing on galvano-taxis and carcass quality characteristics in sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of electro-fishing in sea water. We evaluated the feasibility of an electro-fishing system using numerical simulations for laboratory tanks and the open sea and performing a laboratory experiment. A non-homogeneous bi-dimensional electric-field model for marine water and fish based on discrete formulation of electro-magnetic field equations was developed using GAME (geometric approach for Maxwell equations) software. Voltage gradients inside the fish and close to the body were determined. Results showed that fish in the open sea and in groups had greater internal voltage differences than did fish in tanks and single fish. Sea bass (length:10 and 30 cm) were exposed in laboratory tanks to pulsed direct current (PDC), 25-125 Hz and duty cycle (5-40%). We measured the electro-taxis and tetanus thresholds after electrical exposure. It is significant that these values decreased with increasing the size of fish. No differences were found after electro-fishing on overall appearance, internal and external haemorrhage, standard freshness scoring techniques and carcass quality characteristics

Effect of pantothenic acid level in the diet of the finishing heavy pig on carcass and meat quality traits

This study investigated the effect of vitamin B5 dietary level on carcass and meat quality characteristics in the heavy pig. To this aim, 42 pigs, 21 gilts and 21 barrows, of similar weight and age, evenly divided into 3 groups of 14 subjects each, were fed, from approx. 95 kg live weight (lw) till slaughtering (around 165 kg lw), the same basal diet containing either 10 (control, C), or 60 (T1), or 110 ppm (T2) pantothenic acid. At increasing dietary levels of vitamin B5, only numerical improvements of lean meat and lean cuts percentages were observed, whereas total adipose cuts, backfat and jowl percentages decreased (P<0.05). Ham characteristics and meat quality traits, such as colour, pH, intramuscular fat and protein contents, were not affected by the dietary treatment.

Carcass measurements and meat quality of Turkish Merino, Ramlic, Kivircik, Chios and Imroz lambs raised under an intensive production system

Effect of breed on carcass measurements and meat quality characteristics were investigated by using 46 lambs from Turkish Merino, Ramlic, Kivircik, Chios and Imroz breeds. Chios and Imroz carcasses had smaller values for carcass quality characteristics. Breed had no significant effect on pH at 45 min and 24 h post-mortem, water holding capacity and cooking loss. Kivircik and Imroz lambs had lower Warner Bratzler shear force values than those of Ramlic and Turkish Merino lambs ( P < 0.01). Meat samples from Kivircik lambs had the highest redness value. Differences among breeds for sensory characteristics, except tenderness were not significant. Tenderness scores given to meat samples of Kivircik lambs were significantly higher ( P < 0.01) than those of Turkish Merino, Ramlic and Imroz lambs. Indigenous Kivircik breed, which had high carcass quality as those of improved breeds, might be considered for production of better quality meat in Marmara Region of Turkey.

Effect of grass silage and concentrate based finishing strategies on cull dairy cow performance, carcass and meat quality characteristics

Sixty-eight spring calving Holstein–Friesian dairy cows on completion of lactation were randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments. The experiment commenced on 17th December 2005 and was completed on 27th June 2006. Pre-experimental live weight and BCS were 605 kg (s.d. 68.9) and 2.7 (s.d 0.28), respectively. The four treatments were: ad-lib grass silage (GS), GS + 3 kg concentrate (GS + 3), GS + 6 kg concentrate (GS + 6) and GS + 9 kg concentrate (GS + 9). All cows were finished to a live weight > 620 kg and a BCS > 3.5. Live animal, carcass and meat quality characteristics were measured. Mean (s.d.) total feed utilized was similar, at 1.5 (0.05) tonnes DM/cow across all treatments. There was a linear ( P < 0.001) increase in ADG (kg/day) for the first three dietary treatments, GS (0.71), GS + 3 (0.91), GS + 6 (1.14) with no additional response to the final increment, GS + 9 (1.15). As concentrate proportion in the diet increased there was a linear decrease ( P < 0.001) in days to slaughter. Cows on the GS + 9 treatment (84 days) finished on average 12, 25 and 38 days earlier than those on the GS + 6, GS + 3, and GS treatments. The GS + 9 treatment had lower carcass fat yellowness (‘ b’ value) than the GS treatment but the GS + 3 and GS + 6 treatments did not differ from either GS or GS + 9. There was no effect of treatment ( P > 0.05) on muscle redness (‘ a’ value) following exposure to oxygen. When cull cows are finished to pre-defined slaughter criteria, similar carcass classifications and carcass quality can be achieved with diets ranging from GS to GS + 9, however significant difference in physical performance and days to slaughter will result.

Quality of donkey meat and carcass characteristics

A study based on 15 entire donkey males was carried out to evaluate carcass quality and nutritional characteristics of meat obtained by these animals slaughtered at 15 months of age and a mean final body weight of 181 kg. The meat had a low (2.02 g/100 g) fat content, an appreciable (22.8 g/100 g) protein content, and cholesterol content was 68.7 mg/100 g. Glycogen was also determined (0.45 g/100 g) within 12 h of sampling. Potassium was the mineral with the highest content (343 mg/100 g), followed by phosphorus (212 mg/100 g), sodium (52 mg/100 g) and magnesium (24 mg/100 g). Donkey meat obtained from young animals can be considered a good alternative to other red meats and not only for the production salami, or other fermented meat products.

Influence of sex and castration of females on growth performance and carcass and meat quality of heavy pigs destined for the dry-cured industry1

Crossbred pigs (n = 240) from Pietrain x Large White sires mated to Landrace x Large White dams, with an average age of 100 d (60.5 +/- 2.3 kg of BW), were used to investigate the effects of sex and slaughter weight (SW) on growth performance and on carcass and meat quality characteristics. There were 6 treatments arranged factorially, with 3 classes (intact females, IF; castrated females, CF; and castrated males, CM) and 2 slaughter weights (114 and 122 kg of BW). Each of the 6 combinations of treatments was replicated 4 times, and the experimental unit was a pen with 10 pigs. Castrated males and CF ate more feed, grew faster, and had more carcass backfat depth and fat thickness at the gluteus medius muscle but lower loin yield than IF (P < 0.05). In addition, CF and CM had more intramuscular fat (P < 0.05) and less linoleic acid content in the subcutaneous fat (P < 0.01) than IF. Pigs slaughtered at 122 kg of BW had lower ADG (P < 0.05), decreased G:F (P < 0.05), and more gluteus medius fat than pigs slaughtered at 114 kg of BW (P < 0.05). It was concluded that CF and CM had similar productive performance and meat quality characteristics when slaughtered at the same age, and that castration of females improved ADG and increased weight and fat content of primal cuts with respect to IF. Therefore, castration of females is recommended in pigs destined for the dry-cured industry because of the beneficial effects on quality of the primal cuts.

Efectos del transporte prolongado por vía terrestre y cruce marítimo en transbordador sobre pérdidas de peso vivo y características de la canal en corderos

SuMMary The effect of local terrestrial transport for 12 h and prolonged terrestrial plus sea crossing on ferry transport for 46 h on weight loss and carcass quality characteristics was studied in Corriedale lambs from the same origin, destined to a regional or extraregional slaughterhouse, respectively. Four commercial journeys (2 local and 2 prolonged) transporting a total of 2,106 lambs were used. In each load, 25 randomly chosen lambs were individualized; live weight before and after transport, hot carcass weight and carcass bruising were registered, and samples of liver and muscle tissue were collected immediately after slaughter in order to determine the concentration of glycogen. In the cold carcasses, after 24 h refrigeration at 4 °C, pH was measured in the loin and the leg. Data obtained were submitted to statistical tests in order to determine significant differences between local and prolonged transport for all the variables, except bruises which were analysed only descriptively. In the lambs transported for 46 h the live weight losses were higher and the carcass weight and dressing percentage were lower than in lambs transported for 12 h (P 0.05) for liver and muscle glycogen concentration nor for pH, however, the high pH values observed in the carcasses and the low concentrations of glycogen found suggest that even local transport for 12 h produced high levels of stress and energy consumption.

Effect of concentrate feeding pattern in a grass silage/concentrate beef finishing system on performance, selected carcass and meat quality characteristics

Steers were offered grass silage ad libitum and 6.4 kg concentrates daily for 126 days or silage ad libitum for 35 days, followed by concentrates ad libitum (Experiment 1). Steers were offered grass silage ad libitum and 6 kg concentrates daily for 154 days, concentrates ad libitum or grass silage ad libitum for 112 days followed by concentrates ad libitum (Experiment 2). All treatments received the same total concentrate allowance. In Experiment 1, there was no difference in any measurement of meat quality. In Experiment 2, ad libitum concentrate feeding per se, decreased redness and increased shear force of muscle at 2 days post-mortem. Delaying concentrate feeding decreased fat yellowness, decreased shear force at 7 and 14 days post-mortem and increased muscle redness at 14 days post-mortem. Modifications of the beef production system examined had minor effects on beef quality which are unlikely to be of commercial significance.

Meat quality and carcass characteristics of Norwegian dairy and Holstein-Friesian cattle

Any evaluation of breeds or production systems for beef must consider effects on production, carcass and meat quality characteristics. Holstein-Friesian (HF) cattle are bred for dairy traits only, while Norwegian dairy cattle (NOR) have been selected with some emphasis on beef characteristics. A comparison of production data from bulls of these two breeds has been presented previously (Kirkland et al., 2005). The objective of the present study was to evaluate specific carcass and meat quality parameters of HF and NOR bulls.

Growth and nutrition of cattle early in life: long-term consequences for beef production

This paper reviews research on consequences of cattle nutrition and growth during foetal and neonatal life for subsequent growth, efficiency, carcass, yield and beef quality characteristics (Greenwood and Cafe 2007). It includes findings from our recent studies on consequences of growth during pregnancy and to weaning (Greenwood et al., 2006). The reader is also referred to reviews on consequences of prenatal development in livestock by Bell (2006), and on consequences of bovine foetal, pre-weaning and early post-weaning nutrition and growth by Greenwood et al., (2005).

Effect of Transportation at High Ambient Temperatures on Physiological Responses, Carcass and Meat Quality Characteristics in Two Age Groups of Omani Sheep

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of short road transportation in an open truck during hot season on live weight shrink, physiological responses, and carcass and meat quality of Omani sheep at 6 and 12 months of age. Thirty-six male sheep, 18 of each age group, were used. Age groups were assigned randomly to transported and not-transported groups. The transported group was transported to the slaughterhouse the day of slaughter in an open truck covering a distance of approximately 100 km. The average temperature during transportation was 37°C. The not-transported group was kept in a lairage of a commercial slaughterhouse with ad libitum feed and water for 48 h prior to slaughter. Blood samples were collected from sheep before loading and prior to slaughter via jugular venipuncture to assess their physiological response to transport in relation to hormonal levels. Animals were weighed just before loading onto a truck and after transport to assess shrinkage. Muscle ultimate pH, expressed juice, cooking loss percentage, WB-shear force value, sarcomere length and colour L*, a*, b* were measured on samples from longissimus dorsi, biceps femoris and semitendinosus muscles collected at 24 h postmortem at 1-3°C. Live weight shrinkage losses were 1.09 and 1.52 kg for 6 and 12 month transported sheep, respectively. The transported sheep had significantly (p<0.05) higher cortisol, adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine concentration levels prior to slaughter at both ages than the not-transported sheep. Transportation significantly influenced meat quality characteristics of three muscles. Muscle ultimate pH and shear force values were significantly higher, while CIE L*, a*, b*, expressed juice and cooking loss were lower in transported than not-transported sheep. Age had a significant effect on meat quality characteristics of Omani sheep. These results indicated that short-term pre-slaughter transport at high ambient temperatures can cause noticeable changes in physiological and muscle metabolism responses in sheep.

Serum hormone concentrations relative to carcass composition of a random allotment of commercial-fed beef cattle12

Cattle (n = 995 steers and 757 heifers) were randomly selected from a commercial abattoir (Emporia, KS) to determine the relationships between USDA quality and yield grade characteristics and serum concentrations of leptin, IGF-I, and GH. Animals were randomly selected postexsanguination on the slaughter line on 4 occasions (March, May, August, and January). Blood was collected at exsanguination and transported to the University of Missouri for analysis. Sex and hide color were recorded. Carcass data included HCW, 12th-rib fat thickness, KPH, LM area, and marbling score, which were collected from each carcass approximately 24 h postmortem. Average serum leptin concentrations were greater (P = 0.008) for heifers (11.9 ng/mL) than steers (10.9 ng/mL). Heifers had lighter carcasses (331.9 vs. 352.2 kg, P < 0.001), greater 12th-rib fat measurements (1.3 vs. 1.1 cm, P < 0.001), greater KPH (2.5 vs. 2.4%, P < 0.001), and more marbling (Small(40) vs. Small(10), P < 0.001) than steers. Positive correlations (P < 0.01) existed between leptin concentration and marbling score (r = 0.28), 12th-rib fat depth (r = 0.37), KPH (r = 0.23), and USDA yield grade (r = 0.32). Negative correlations were found between leptin and IGF-I (r = -0.11; P < 0.001) and leptin and GH (r = -0.32; P < 0.001). Negative correlations (P < 0.01) were observed for IGF-I and KPH (r = -0.23) and marbling score (r = -0.20), whereas GH was most highly negatively correlated with KPH (r = -0.23; P < 0.001). Leptin concentration accounted for variation (P < 0.001) in a model separating least squares means across USDA quality grade, separating USDA standard (8.5 ng/mL), select (10.3 ng/mL), low choice (12.2 ng/mL), and upper 2/3 choice/prime (>12.9 ng/mL) carcasses. There was no difference (P = 0.31) observed in leptin concentrations between the upper 2/3 choice and prime carcasses (12.9 and 14.2 ng/mL, respectively). Relationships within endocrine profiles and between endocrine concentrations and carcass quality characteristics may prove to be a useful tool for the prediction of beef carcass composition.

A comparison of carcass and meat quality characteristics of Creole and Large White pigs slaughtered at 90 kg BW

The effect of breed in combination with sex (gilts or barrows) on carcass composition and meat quality characteristics were studied in two replicates involving a total of 40 Creole (CR) and 40 Large White (LW). This trial was conducted in the experimental facilities of INRA in Guadeloupe (French West Indies, 16° Lat. N. and 61° Long. W). All the pigs were slaughtered at about 90 kg BW. No interaction between breeds and sex was found for all criteria studied. Carcass dressing weight was higher in CR than in LW (832 vs. 810 g/kg, P < 0.001) in connection with their lower internal organs weight (34.0 vs. 41 g/kg; P < 0.001). Fat cuts weight (i.e., back and leaf fat) was higher in CR than in LW (192 vs. 90 g/kg; P < 0.001). Creole pigs showed higher intramuscular fat percentage (IMF), higher percentage of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and lower percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle than LW pigs (4.72% vs. 2.29%, 50.2% vs. 45.0% and 7.9% vs. 13.8%, respectively). Whatever the muscle considered the ultimate pH was higher ( P < 0.05) in CR than in LW pigs. The drip and cooking losses of LD muscle were lower in CR than in LW (8.2% vs. 9.7% and 28.9% vs. 30.1%, respectively; P < 0.05). Whatever the breed, the females were leaner than barrows ( P < 0.01) but the effect of sex was significant only on a few parameters.

Effects of dietary vitamin E and fat supplementation on pork quality1

The effects of dietary vitamin E (VE, alpha-tocopherol acetate) and fat supplementation on growth and carcass quality characteristics, oxidative stability of fresh and cooked pork patty in storage, fatty acid profiles of muscle and adipose tissue, and VE concentrations of plasma, muscle, and adipose tissue were studied. Six hundred pigs were allocated to 1 of 6 diets and fed for 63 d in a 3 x 2 factorial design. The dietary treatments included 3 fat levels (normal corn, high oil corn, high oil corn plus added beef tallow) and 2 levels of VE supplementation (40 IU/kg, normal VE supplementation; and 200 IU/kg, high VE supplementation). At 113 kg of BW, 54 pigs were slaughtered as a subsample to evaluate dietary effects on pork quality. Growth performance and meat quality characteristics did not differ (P > 0.05) among treatment groups. The high level of VE supplementation had a beneficial effect on the oxidative stability of pork as indicated by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values. Lean tissue had lower (P < 0.05) TBARS in the group fed the high VE than in those fed the normal VE level. The TBARS values differed among storage periods (0 to 6 d) and also between fresh and cooked ground ham. Fat type did not significantly affect total saturated and unsaturated fatty acids proportions in the neutral and polar fraction of muscle. Adding VE acetate led to greater (P < 0.05) monounsaturated and total unsaturated fatty acid proportions in neutral lipids of muscle and adipose tissues. Increasing dietary levels of VE acetate increased the concentration of VE in plasma and muscle. These results indicate that dietary VE acetate supplementation increased (P < 0.05) lipid stability and the VE concentration of muscle.

Aspects of the serum biochemistry, carcass quality and organoleptic characteristics of broilers fed alkali-treated date pits

The effects of feeding alkaline treated date pits (TDP) on serum biochemistry, carcass quality and organoleptic characteristics were investigated in 396 commercial broiler chicks of the Hybro strain. The values of glucose, albumin, protein, calcium, pH and GPT and GOT showed no significance difference when compared with the values obtained from the control broilers (feed on corn). Similarly no significance difference was obtained in the values of the meat composition, carcass quality, visceral and abdominal fat between the treated and control broiler. Sensory evaluation parameters of cooked meat were highly accepted to panelists. Replacement corn with alkaline treated date pits as high as 62.4% in broilers diets did not produce serous adverse affects on performance, serum biochemistry, carcass and eating quality of broilers. Keywords : Date pits, alkali-treatment, broilers Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 1(2) 2005: 76-82

Effects of feeding ensiled date palm fronds and a by-product concentrate on performance and meat quality of Omani sheep

A study was carried out to investigate the potential use of date palm by-products for feeding Omani local sheep. Thirty-two Omani sheep were fed for 120 days one of four ration combinations of two roughages and two concentrates. The roughages were urea treated palm frond (UTPF) and Rhodes grass hay (RGH). The concentrates were a pelleted commercial cubes (CC) and a concentrate made from local by-products (BC). Experimental measurements included daily feed intakes, bi-weekly body weights, hematological values, apparent digestibility, and carcass and meat quality characteristics. The BC was formulated from 250 ground date fronds, 250 wheat bran, 200 ground Prosopis juliflora pods, 150 barley grain and 120 g/kg dried sardines plus vitamin and mineral additives. The UTPF silage was prepared by ensiling shredded palm fronds in a 30 g/l urea solution for 5 weeks. On dry matter (DM) basis, the BC and CC concentrates contained 179 and 180 g/kg crude protein (CP); 241 and 56 g/kg acid detergent fiber (ADF); 379 and 182 g/kg neutral detergent fiber (NDF); 118 and 73 g/kg ash; 17.9 and 18.3 kJ/g DM gross energy (GE), respectively. The UTPF and RGH contained 85 and 100 g/kg CP; 580 and 370 g/kg ADF; 740 and 614 g/kg NDF; 120 and 95 g/kg ash; 19.2 and 17.3 kJ/g DM GE, respectively. Experimental animals fed the date palm by-products were in good health throughout the trial. In absolute terms, sheep fed the UTPF had lower feed intakes than those fed the RGH but feed intake/body weight (BW) was similar across diet groups (30 g/kg). By-products fed sheep gained less (P<0.05) weight than those fed RGH and CC. The average daily gain was 80, 56, 32 and 10 g/d for the CC + RGH, BC + RGH, CC + UTPF and BC + UTPF, respectively. Feed conversion (kg feed/kg BW gain) was lower for UTPF and BC feeds. Apparent digestibility coefficients for DM, CP, ADF, NDF, ash and DE were lower for UTPF and BC based diets. Feeding UTPF and BC reduced carcass weight, dressing, fat content and carcass measurements. However, feeding CC with UTPF improved sheep performance compared to BC + UTPF. There were no effects of feeding UTPF or BC on meat quality. This experiment indicated that date palm by-products might be used for feeding Omani sheep for maintenance or during times of nutritional shortage frequently experienced in the arid tropics.