Physicochemical characteristics of dry aged beef from younger Nellore bulls slaughtered at different body weights

Reducing slaughter age can improve meat quality and reduce costs, while an ageing process can result in more standardized products. Thus, the objective of this paper was to measure the physicochemical characteristics of dry aged meat from younger Nellore bulls slaughtered at different body weights. Twenty-four Longissimus thoracis from young bulls (14 months of age) finished in a feedlot at body weights of 350, 400 and 450 kg were used. Fromeach group (N = 8), samples were divided into three portions for 0, 14 and 28 days of dry ageing. After the samples reached their dry aged period weight, pH and colour were measured. Next, water losses, shear force, the chemical composition and the fatty acids profile of the meat were measured. Reducing slaughter weight (350 kg) of young bulls did not affect meat tenderness but increased saturated fatty acids contents at day 1 of dry ageing. During the dry ageing process, drip loss increased, but thawing losses were reduced. Colour parameter was reduced by dry ageing and meat becomes darker, but meat tenderness was increased. Dry ageing increased the ash content. Dry ageing increased saturated fatty acid and reduced the monounsaturated and saturated fatty acid ratio (MUFA/SFA), but did not change the polyunsaturated fatty acids. Nellore young bulls (14 months) can be slaughtered with 400 or 450 kg without compromising physicochemical characteristics, while dry ageing improved meat tenderness but increased saturated fatty acids and changed meat colour.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of slaughter weight on the quality of Nile tilapia fillets

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of slaughter weight on the expression of calpastatin, mcalpain and the RyR3 gene, and on the chemical composition, morphometric measurements, fillet yield and sensorial characteristics of Nile tilapia fillets. In the experiment, 90 Nile tilapia were divided into three experimental treatments regarding slaughter weight (n = 30): in treatment 1, tilapia aged 140 days were slaughtered with an average body weight of 665 ± 85 g; in treatment 2, the animals were slaughtered at 182 days and weighed 1000 ± 177 g; and in treatment 3, they were slaughtered at 238 days and weighed 1325 ± 167 g. There was no significant difference (P > .05) between the treatments for the chemical composition and fillet yield. Fillets of tilapia slaughtered with a weight of 665 g presented higher expression of mcalpain and lower expression of calpastatin gene, lower pH values of the thawed fillet, lower drip and thawing loss, and lower shear force than animals slaughtered with the highest evaluated weight. Tilapias slaughtered at 665 g also presented higher flavor and general acceptance. These results show that slaughter weight may influence important aspects of the quality of Nile tilapia fillets and that the slaughter of Nile tilapia with a body weight of 665 g allows fillets that serve the consumer market to be obtained.This work was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq, Brazil. This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brazil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Carcass Composition and Cuts of Bulls and Steers Fed with Three Concentrate Levels in the Diets

In this paper, weight, carcass dressing, weights of the primary cuts, weights of the physical components of the primary cuts, and weights of the main commercial cuts of 66 Purunã animals, of which 33 were bulls and 33 were steers were evaluated. These animals, with an average age of 19 months at the beginning of the experiment, were finished in a feedlot system during 116 days, and were fed with diets containing three levels of concentrate (0.8%, 1.1%, and 1.4% of body weight). The concentrate was formulated with 25% soybean meal, 73% ground corn grain, 1% of a mineral mix, and 1% of limestone. The interaction between sexual groups and the concentrate level was not significant for any of the variables. Likewise, no effect of the concentrate level was detected on the same variable traits. The bulls demonstrated higher hot carcass weights (265.1 vs 221.7 kg) and a higher proportion of forequarter (38.4% vs 36.1%) however the steers presented with higher proportions of side (19.7% vs 18.5%) and hindquarter (44.2% vs 43.1%). The bulls produced higher yields of muscle in the three primary cuts, there by resulting in higher yields of edible portions of the carcass. The bulls also produced higher weights of tenderloin, knuckle, topside, flat, eye round, rump, and rump cover. The finishing of young bulls in feedlot is to be recommended, since the animals produce carcasses with higher amounts of edible meat and higher yields of commercial cuts, thus allowing for a better price for the carcass. Low concentrate level could be used due to the lower cost of production for farmers

Validação do uso de fotografias para avaliação visual da carne de bovinos terminados em confinamento, com ou sem adição de óleos essenciais na dieta

Colour perception plays a major role in evaluation of meat quality, especially during purchasing. The traditional sensorial methodology of assessing meat color evolution in displays is complex, expensive and demands long duration. Photographs are an alternative to overcome these difficulties thus the validation of this methodology becomes necessary. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare perception of meat between viewing meat directly in displayer and their corresponding photographs to assess the reliability and accuracy of using food photographs as an assessment tool. Forty Schwyz vs. Nellore bulls (half-brothers), 12 month-old, average live weight (LW) of 219 + 11.7 kg were used in a complete randomized design and distributed in three diets groups: CON (n = 8) - diet without addition of essential oils; CLO (n = 16) - diet with 5,000 mg/animal/day of clove essential oils and CIN (n = 16) - diet with 5,000 mg/animal/day of cinnamon essential oils. After slaughter two-centimeters thick steaks were cut from longissimus thoracis and frozen. For the visual analyses steaks were thawed and packaged individually in trays with film and displayed at 4 ± 1°C under simulated retail conditions using fluorescent light (1200 lx, 12 h on) in a commercial expositor. Seventeen consumers (8 male and 9 female) evaluated visual acceptability of appearance. Consumers using a 9-point structured hedonic scale (one = dislike 30 extremely to nine = like extremely) to assess the visual acceptability of the meat. The shelf-life of meats was determined by the number of days which samples were assigned with scores higher than 5.0. Each consumer attended two evaluation sessions separated by a two week interval. In the first session consumers evaluated samples directly in a commercial expositor (Trays) and in the second session consumers evaluated correspondent photos of samples in sequential (Sequential) and randomized order (Random). Variance of the scores assigned and its respectively standard deviations were analyzed by GLM model (Tukey 5.0%). Effect of days of display was analyzed with a simple regression. All statistical analyses were performed by the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). CON diet group resulted on higher scores 6, 7 and 8 of display and higher shelf-life than essential oils diets. Trays and Sequential photos scores were similar in the majority of days thus digital images could be used to evaluate color evolution. However random photos resulted in lower scores in the first days and lower decrease in scores than sequential and random photos (P<0.05) from the second to fifth day. When evaluated the standard deviations, Trays and Sequential presented equal or higher deviation than Random in the majority of days. Trays presented a higher fluctuation in the standard deviation through the display period, thus it was concluded that digital images promoted a higher standard situation for evaluations because differences between consumers remained constantly through the eleven days.A cor desempenha um papel importante na avaliação da qualidade da carne, principalmente na hora da decisão da compra. A metodologia sensorial tradicional para avaliação da evolução da cor de carne em exposição é complexa, cara e demanda um longo período para sua realização. O uso de fotografias é uma alternativa para superar essas dificuldades. Assim, a validação desse tipo de ferramenta se torna necessária, e por isso objetivou-se comparar a percepção da cor da carne entre a visualização diretamente em um expositor e suas fotografias correspondentes para avaliar a confiabilidade e precisão do uso de fotografias de alimentos como ferramenta de avaliação. Quarenta animais Pardos Suíços vs. Nelores (meio-irmãos) com meses de idade e peso vivo médio (PV) de 219 ± 11,7 kg foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado em três grupos de dietas: CON (n = 8) - dieta sem adição de óleos essenciais; CLO (n = 16) - dieta com 5.000 mg/animal/dia de óleos essenciais de cravo e CIN (n = 16) - dieta com 5.000 mg/animal/dia de óleos essenciais de canela. Após o abate, bifes de dois centímetros de espessura foram cortados do músculo longissimus thoracis e congelados. Para análise visual, os bifes foram descongelados e embalados individualmente em bandejas com papel filme, sendo mantidos a 4 ± 1 °C em condições de varejo simulados, utilizando luz fluorescente (1200 lx, 12 h por dia) em um expositor comercial. Dezessete consumidores (8 do sexo masculino e 9 do sexo feminino) avaliaram sua aceitação visual da aparência, utilizando uma escala hedônica estruturada de nove pontos (um = não gostam extremamente e nove = gostam extremamente). A vida de prateleira das carnes foi determinada pelo número de dias que as amostras receberam notas superiores a 5. Cada consumidor participou de duas sessões de avaliação por um intervalo de duas semanas. Na primeira sessão, os consumidores avaliaram as amostras em bandejas diretamente em um expositor comercial (Trays) e na segunda sessão os consumidores avaliaram fotos correspondentes das amostras em ordem sequencial (Sequential) e em ordem aleatória (Random). Variância das notas atribuídas e os seus desvios padrão respectivos foram analisadas pelo modelo GLM (Tukey a 5,0%). O efeito dos dias de exposição foi analisado por regressão simples. Todas as análises estatísticas foram realizadas pelo 6 IBM Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS). O grupo CON resultou em escores mais altos nos dias 6, 7 e 8, como também uma maior vida de prateleira do que as dietas de óleos essenciais. Os escores para Trays and Sequential foram semelhantes na maioria dos dias, portanto, imagens digitais podem ser utilizadas para avaliar a evolução da cor. No entanto, a metodologia Random resultou em pontuações mais baixas nos primeiros dias, como também uma menor velocidade na queda dos escores de aceitação do que nos métodos Trays e Sequential (P <0,05) entre o segundo ao quinto dia. Quando os desvios padrões foram avaliados, os métodos Trays e Sequential apresentaram variação igual ou maior ao método Random na maioria dos dias, porém ambos os métodos por fotografias apresentaram maior variação nos últimos dias de exposição. O método Trays também apresentou uma maior flutuação no desvio padrão durante os dias de exposição, e por isso conclui-se que as imagens digitais promoveram uma situação mais padronizada para as avaliações, porque as diferenças entre consumidores mantiveram-se constantes ao longo dos onze dias de avaliação.39, [1]

<b>Concentrate levels of crossbred bulls slaughtered at 16 or 22 months: performance and carcass characteristics

This study was performed to assess the animal performance of 97 bulls, ½ Purunã vs. ½ Canchim, that were slaughtered at 16 (16M) or 22 (22M) months with three concentrate levels (0.8, 1.2, and 1.6%) of body weight (BW). The initial body weight was lower for the 16M bulls. The final body weight and hot carcass weights were similar between the two slaughter ages. The hot carcass dressing was higher for 22M bulls. The average daily gain was higher for 16M bulls. The feed intake and dry matter feed conversion were similar between 16 and 22M bulls. The carcass length, marbling, and bone percentage were lower for 16M bulls. However, the Longissimus dorsi muscle area was higher for 16M bulls. The leg length, cushion thickness, fat thickness, conformation, colour, texture, muscle percent, and fat percent were similar between 16 and 22M bulls. The final and hot carcass weights were lower for bulls that were fed with 0.8% of BW. The carcass dressing was similar for the three concentrate levels. The average daily gain was higher for bulls that were fed with 1.6% of BW of concentrate and lower for those that were fed with 0.8%. The concentrate levels had no effect on carcass characteristics, feed intake, and dry matter conversion

Intensive dairy farming systems from Holland and Brazil: SWOT analyse comparison

Intensive systems of milk production in Brazil and Holland are compared by SWOT analysis. Twenty-one farms, 10 in Wageningen, central region of Holland, and 11 in Castro, central-eastern region of the state of Paraná, Brazil, were sampled. Data were retrieved from semi-structured interviews with the owners or people responsible for dairy activities, using a questionnaire guide and a digital recorder. After results were analysed, a table was elaborated representing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks for each country. Dairy farms in Holland were uniform, or rather, small and medium-sized farms with high production. It has also been observed that Dutch farms have several problems due to high intensification, for example, hoof diseases with great economic loss. In the case of Brazilian dairy farms, several types of systems and degrees were detected. Brazilian production in the region analysed features a higher quantity than that in Holland, with less intensity when compared to that on Dutch farms. 

Feedlot performance of bulls and steers fed on three levels of concentrate in the diets

Current study evaluated the effect of different sexual groups and different concentrate levels in diets on animal performance, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics of bovines finished in feedlot. Ninety four bulls and 75 steers Purunã with average age 19 months at the beginning of the feedlot period were used. Animals were maintained in individual pens during 116 days and fed with a diet of corn silage and three concentrate levels (0.8, 1.1, and 1.4% of body weight). The concentrate was formulated with 25% soybean meal, 73% corn grain, 1.0% of a mineral mix and 1.0% limestone and adjusted at every 28 days. The interaction between sexual groups and concentrate levels was not significant for any of the studied variables. Bulls were more efficient than steers ones, with higher average daily gain (1.33 vs. 1.12 kg day-1), better feed conversion ratio (6.6 vs. 7.6 kg DM intake kg-1 gain), and higher carcass gain (86.6 vs. 69.2 kg). Increase in concentrate level in diet did not influence animal performance even though a higher DM was observed for animals fed on 1.4% (8.8 kg) and 1.1% (8.4 kg) levels of concentrate when compared with those fed on 0.8% level (7.7 kg)

<b>Carcass characteristics and sensorial evaluation of meat from Nellore steers and crossbred Angus vs. Nellore bulls

This study evaluated animal performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of 36-month old Nellore steers finished in pastures (n = 10) and 20-month old Angus vs. Nellore bulls finished in feedlot (n = 10). Final body weight, carcass weight, characteristics, conformation and fat thickness, were higher (p 0.05) throughout the ageing period for the Angus vs. Nellore bulls, but higher in meat from the Nellore steers (p 0.05) on meat a* value (redness). Likewise, ageing time had no effect on a* in both genetic groups, and genetic group had no effect (p > 0.05) on meat b* value (yellowness). On the other hand, b* was increased after day 7 of ageing for the bulls from the two genetic groups. Thawing and cooking losses were lower for Nellore steers after day 7 of aging (p 0.05) on lipid oxidation; however, lipid oxidation increased after day7. Meat from Nellore steers contained a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA), a lower percentage of unsaturated (UFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and a similar percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than the meat from Angus vs. Nellore bulls. Intramuscular fat from Nellore steers had a more favourable n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio than that from Angus vs. Nellore bulls (4.37 vs. 11.45, respectively). Tenderness, flavour and overall acceptability were higher (p < 0.001) for meats of the Nellore steers, regardless of ageing time (1, 4, 7 and 14 days).

Glycerin and cashew and castor oils in the diets for bulls in finished in feed lot: ingestive behavior

Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar a substituição parcial do milho (15% da MS total da dieta) e adição de óleos de caju e mamona sobre o comportamento ingestivo de Nelore machos, confinados. Trinta bovinos de 24 ± 2 meses de idade e 400 ± 34 kg de peso corporal foram usados. Os animais foram distribuídos em um modelo estatístico inteiramente casualizado (10 animais por tratamento) e estabulados em baias coletivas. As dietas experimentais foram: Controle – CON; Glicerina – GLI e GOF – Glicerina + óleos funcionais. As escalas de observações não influenciaram o tempo de ingestão, ruminação e ócio, assim como o número total de mastigação; entretanto, o número de período e o tempo de período de cada atividade diferiram entre os tempos de escalas. Não houve diferença para os turnos de observações e número de observações por turno para as variáveis analisadas. A inclusão de glicerina na dieta reduziu o tempo de ruminação e aumentou o tempo de ócio. O número de período tanto de ingestão como de ócio, e o tempo de ócio diferiram entre as dietas. No entanto, o número de período de ruminação, tempo de ingestão e período de ruminação foi similar entre as dietas. A inclusão de glicerina e óleos funcionais na dieta aumentou o número de bolos ruminados por dia, número de mastigação por dia e tempo total de mastigação dos bovinos. This study was carried out to evaluate partial replacing of corn (15% of total diet DM) and cashew and castor oils addition on ingestive behavior of Nellore bulls in feedlot. Thirty bulls of 24 ± 2 months old and 400 ± 34 kg body weight were used. The bulls were distributed in a completely randomized design (10 bulls per treatment) and housed in collective pens. The experimental diets were: Control – CON; Glycerine – GLY and Glycerine + Functional oils. The observation scales did not influence time spent eating, ruminating or resting, as well as, the total number of chewing; however the number of periods and the time period for such activities differed among the scales time. There was no difference for the number of observations turns and number of observations per turn for analyzed variables. Glycerine inclusion in the diets caused a decrease on ruminating time and an increase in resting time. The numbers for both eating and resting periods, and time per resting period differed among diets, however, the number for ruminating period, eating time and rumination period were similar among diets. Both glycerine and functional oils inclusion in the diets increased the number of ruminated bolus per day, number of chewed per day and total chewing time for cattle