The effects of a nutritional packet (live yeast, vitamins C and B1, and electrolytes) offered to steers in a calf-fed system on growth performance, nutrient digestion, feeding behavior, carcass characteristics, and ruminal variables.

Effects of a nutritional packet strategically offered to calf-fed system steers on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, feeding behavior, ruminal variables, and carcass characteristics were evaluated. Angus crossbred steer-calves (N = 60; body weight [BW] = 234 ±â€…4 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design (block = BW) and stratified into two treatments: 1) control; and 2) 30 g/steer-daily (dry matter [DM] basis) of a nutritional packet containing (steer-daily basis): Live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae; 1.7 × 1010 CFU), vitamin C (Ascorbic acid, 162 mg), vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride, 400 mg), sodium chloride (2.4 g), and potassium chloride (2.4 g). Animals were offered (electronic feed-bunks [SmartFeed, C-Lock Inc., Rapid City, SD]), a steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet to ad libitum (individual intake), once daily for 233 d. Treatments were offered during the first and last 60 days on feed (DOF). The GLIMMIX procedure of SAS was used, with steer as the experimental unit, treatment and phase (for feeding behavior and digestibility) as fixed effects, and BW-block as a random effect. Steers offered the nutritional packet had 14% less (P < 0.01) intake and 18% greater (P = 0.01) feed efficiency during the initial 30 DOF. Intake (days 0 to 233) was 6% greater (P = 0.02) for steers offered the nutritional packet, while BW gain was not different (P ≥ 0.44). Greater (P = 0.02) dressing percent (61.1% vs. 62%) for steers offered the packet was observed, while other carcass variables were not different (P ≥ 0.33). Digestibility of DM, organic matter, and fiber were greater (P < 0.01) for steers offered the packet. Steers offered the packet spent 13% less time eating during the first 60 DOF, while during the last 60 DOF a 14% greater meal frequency and 12.3% smaller mean meal size (treatment × phase interaction, P < 0.02) were observed. Steers offered the packet had a reduced (P ≤ 0.01) mean meal duration during both phases. Regardless of treatment, a decreased rumination (P ≤ 0.03) and chewing (P ≤ 0.01) activities were observed for the last 60 DOF compared to the first 60 DOF. Ruminal papillae area was 30% greater (P = 0.02) and the total volatile fatty acid (VFA) tended (P = 0.09) to be greater for steers offered the nutritional packet. The nutritional packet offered to calf-fed steers improved feed efficiency during the initial 30 d after arrival, while inducing superior overall intake, nutrient digestibility, dressing percentage, ruminal papillae area, and total ruminal VFA.

The effects of a Nutritional Packet (live yeast, vitamins C and B1, and electrolytes) offered during the final phase of feedlot steers on growth performance, nutrient digestion, and feeding behavior.

The effects of a Nutritional Packet offered to beef steers during the final 64 d of the feedlot-finishing phase on growth performance, carcass characteristics, nutrient digestibility, and feeding behavior were evaluated. Angus-crossbred steers (N = 120; initial body weight = 544 ± 52 kg) were assigned to 30 pens (4 steers per pen; 15 pens per treatment) in a randomized complete block design where pen was the experimental unit. A steam-flaked corn-based finishing diet was offered to ad libitum, and the treatments were as follows: 1) control and 2) 30 g per steer-daily (dry matter basis) of the Nutritional Packet. The Nutritional Packet was formulated to provide 1.7 × 1010 CFU per steer-daily of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 162 mg per steer-daily of vitamin C; 400 mg per steer-daily of vitamin B1; 2.4 g per steer-daily of NaCl, and 2.4 g per steer-daily of KCl. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS with the fixed effect of treatment and the random effect of block. The average daily gain (P = 0.89), dry matter intake (P = 0.57), and gain efficiency (P = 0.82) were not affected by the inclusion of the Nutritional Packet. Digestibility of dry and organic matter, and neutral and acid detergent fiber increased (P ≤ 0.02) for steers offered the Nutritional Packet, while a trend for the same response was observed for hemicellulose (P = 0.08). The 12th rib backfat thickness increased (P = 0.02) for carcasses of steers offered the Nutritional Packet, followed by a greater (P = 0.03) calculated yield grade, whereas other carcass traits were not affected (P ≥ 0.32). While the steers under the control diet decreased behavior activities on day 63, a consistent pattern of feeding behavior measurements (activity min/d and min/kg of dry and organic matter, fiber fractions, and digestible nutrients) were observed for steers consuming the Nutritional Packet during both feeding behavior assessment periods (treatment × period interactions, P ≤ 0.03). Overall time (min/d) spent on rumination, drinking, active, chewing, and resting were not affected (P ≥ 0.28) by treatments. The Nutritional Packet offered to steers during the final 64 d on feed induced an improvement in apparent digestibility of nutrients and carcass fat deposition, without affecting growth performance or other carcass quality indices. Such effects associated with the more consistent feeding behavior of steers receiving the Nutritional Packet may warrant a shorter time on feed during the final portion of the finishing phase.

Excessive intake of rapidly fermentable nutrients by feedlot cattle can result in clinical or subclinical disorders that impair nutrient digestion, while negatively affecting animal development and health. Incidences of subclinical digestive disturbances may increase during the last days on feed in cattle fed in confinement. Manipulation of diets with probiotics (live yeast), vitamins (C and B1), and electrolytes (NaCl and KCl) to aid subclinical digestive disorders faced by cattle offered high-energy diets was addressed in the current experiment. The use of such nutritional technologies is based on previous reports that these technologies can stabilize ruminal pH, improve nutrient digestibility, enhance rumen microbial growth and energy metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, augment immune function, and prevent vitamin deficiencies induced by energy-dense diets. Therefore, it was important to investigate the effects of a packet containing these technologies during the feedlot final days on feed. When offered to steers during the final 64 d prior to harvest, a Nutritional Packet containing live yeast, vitamins C and B1, and electrolytes improved digestibility of nutrients and carcass fat deposition, while reducing variation in feeding behavior. Such effects may warrant an earlier harvest date when animals receive the packet.

Use of Pleurotus ostreatus to Enhance the Oxidative Stability of Pork Patties during Storage and In Vitro Gastrointestinal Digestion.

Lipid and protein oxidation are the major causes of meat quality deterioration. Edible mushrooms have been proposed as a strategy to prevent quality deterioration during cold storage. This study aimed to assess the effects of Pleurotus ostreatus powder (POP) on the oxidative stability of pork patties during cold storage and after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion (ivGD). Pork patties were subjected to four treatments: control (without antioxidant), T1 (2% POP, w/w) and T2 (5% POP, w/w), and T3 as positive control (0.02% BHT, fat basis). POP aqueous, ethanolic, and aqueous ethanol extract were subjected to phytochemical and antioxidant assays. Raw pork patties were subjected to a chemical proximate composition evaluation. At the same time, raw and cooked pork patties were stored at 2 °C for 9 days and subjected to meat quality measurements. Furthermore, the total antioxidant activity of cooked pork patties was determined after ivGD. Results showed that POP ethanol extract showed the highest polysaccharide, phenol, and flavonoid content, as well as antiradical and reducing power properties. POP incorporation into raw and cooked pork patties enhances meat quality traits, including pH, water-holding capacity, cooking-loss weight, texture, color, lipid, and protein oxidation (p < 0.05). Furthermore, incorporating POP into cooked samples increases the phytochemical content and antioxidant activity during ivGD. In conclusion, POP has great potential as a natural antioxidant for meat products.

Effect of high-hydrostatic pressure processing and sous-vide cooking on physicochemical traits of Biceps femoris veal patties.

The effects of non-thermal, high-hydrostatic-pressure processing (HPP) and its combination with sous vide cooking technique (HPP-SVCOOK) on physicochemical traits of veal patties elaborated with top sirloin caps (Biceps femoris) derived from local Pyrenean bullocks, were investigated. The patties were subjected to 13 treatment combinations of three HPP pressures (350, 475, or 600 MPa) for 5, 10, or 15 min, followed by 20 treatment combinations with subsequent SVCOOK at three cooking temperatures (55, 60 or 65 °C). Significant changes in color and texture parameters were observed in HPP and HPP-SVCOOK patties. Also, there was a significant effect of processing parameters on cooking loss. HPP-SVCOOK processing conditions dealt with several changes in texture and color of patties. For yielding the optimum processing results in terms of reduced hardness and cooking loss, veal patties should be HPP-treated at 350 MPa for 10 min., and sous-vide cooked at 55 °C.

The Effects of Castration, Implant Protocol, and Supplementation of Bos indicus-Influenced Beef Cattle under Tropical Savanna Conditions on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality.

The effects of castration, supplementation, and implant protocol (IP) on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of grass-fed cattle were evaluated. Two experiments followed a two-way ANOVA and a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. Experiment-I, 99 bulls were evaluated for: (a) supplementation (mineral (MS) or strategic protein-energy supplementation (SS), and (b) IP (repeated (day-0 and day-90) Zeranol-72 mg implantation (Zeranol-Zeranol) or Trenbolone Acetate-140 mg/Estradiol-20 mg (day-0) followed by Zeranol-72 mg (day-90) (TBA/E2-Zeranol). Experiment II, 50 animals were evaluated for: (a) IP (like Experiment-I), and (b) male class (steers vs. bulls). In Experiment-I, SS bulls had greater growth rate, carcass yield, and yield of high-valued boneless lean cuts than MS bulls, while decreasing (p < 0.05) time to harvest. Steaks from SS-bulls on TBA/E2-Zeranol IP were more (p = 0.05) tender than SS/Zeranol-Zeranol counterparts. Experiment-II bulls had greater growth than steers, but decreased (p < 0.05) carcass quality aspects. Zeranol-Zeranol increased (p < 0.01) meat tenderness of steers. Interactions (p < 0.05) affected cutability (Experiment-II) and meat sensory traits (Experiment-I/II). The SS improved growth, carcass yield, and shortened days until harvest of bulls, while TBA/E2-Zeranol IP positively affected tenderness in bull meat only. Castration improved carcass quality while the implant effects on cutability and tenderness were male-class dependent.

Effects of Sex Class, a Combined Androgen and Estrogen Implant, and Pasture Supplementation on Growth and Carcass Performance and Meat Quality of Zebu-Type Grass-Fed Cattle.

Forty-seven Zebu calves were used to determine the effects of class (bull or steer), supplementation (SUPPL, a poultry litter-based supplement or mineral supplementation), and implant (20 mg estradiol combined with 120 mg of trenbolone acetate or no implant) on growth and carcass performance and beef eating quality. The average daily gain (ADG) of implanted cattle significantly increased for steers, but not for bulls. The SUPPL treatment increased ADG by 8.63% from day 0 to end, and shortened in 73.3 d the time to reach 480 kg BW (p < 0.01). Compared to bulls, the steer carcasses exhibited more desirable maturity and finish scores, thicker back fat (p < 0.05), and yielded greater (p < 0.01) percentages of high-value boneless subprimals (HVBLS) (+1.64%) and total cuts (1.35%). The SUPPL bulls dressed 2.63 and 1.63% greater than non-supplemented bulls and SUPPL steers, respectively (p < 0.05). Meat sensory quality was subtly affected (p < 0.05) by sex class or supplementation. The implant did not affect (p > 0.05) shear force or sensory ratings. The supplementation improved key growth performance traits while it adversely affected tenderness-related sensory traits. The implant enhanced the rate of gain of steers only, without improving cut-out yields or inducing adverse effects on palatability traits in both steers and bulls.

Progress on Nutrient Composition, Meat Standardization, Grading, Processing, and Safety for Different Types of Meat Sources.

Beef contains a plethora of healthy nutrients and it is the highest valued livestock-based food product [...].

Multivariate Relationships among Carcass Traits and Proximate Composition, Lipid Profile, and Mineral Content of Longissimus lumborum of Grass-Fed Male Cattle Produced under Tropical Conditions.

Hierarchical cluster (HCA) and canonical correlation (CCA) analyses were employed to explore the multivariate relationships among chemical components (proximate, mineral and lipidic components) of lean beef longissimus dorsii lumborum (LDL) and selected carcass traits of cattle fattened on pasture under tropical conditions (bulls, n = 60; steers, n = 60; from 2.5 to 4.0 years of age, estimated by dentition). The variables backfat thickness (BFT), Ca, Mn, Cu, C14:0, C15:0, and C20:0 showed the highest coefficients of variation. Three clusters were defined by the HCA. Out of all carcass traits, only BFT differed significantly (p < 0.001) among clusters. Clusters significantly (p < 0.001) differed for total lipids (TLIPIDS), moisture, dry matter (DM), fatty acid composition, cholesterol content, and mineral composition (except for Fe). The variables that define the canonical variate "CARCASS" were BFT and degree of marbling (MARBLING). TLIPIDS was the main variable for the "PROXIMATE" canonical variate, while C16:0 and C18:1c had the most relevant contribution to the "LIPIDS" canonical variate. BFT and MARBLING were highly cross-correlated with TLIPIDS which, in turn, was significantly affected by the IM lipid content. Carcass traits were poorly correlated with mineral content. These findings allow for the possibility to develop selection criteria based on BFT and/or marbling to sort carcasses, from grass-fed cattle fattened under tropical conditions, with differing nutritional values. Further analyses are needed to study the effects of sex condition on the associations among carcass traits and lipidic components.

Tropical Beef: Is There an Axiomatic Basis to Define the Concept?

Cattle production in tropical regions has been estimated to account for just over half of cattle worldwide, yet it has not been demonstrated that sufficient similarities in the cattle exist to describe tropical cattle and, even less so, to characterize the meat from these animals. The aim of this review is to investigate the quality and nutrient composition of meat from cattle raised in the Tropics to determine if there is an axiomatic basis that would allow the definition of a concept of "tropical beef". Tropical beef is the meat obtained from cattle raised in tropical environments, the population of which remains largely uncharacterized. Production systems in the Tropics are highly diverse but converge on the use of indigenous and Bos indicus breeds or Bos indicus-influenced crossbreeds under pasture feeding regimes. While some systems allow cattle to be slaughtered at ≤2 years of age, most often animals are ≥3 years. These production systems generally produce lean, low-yielding carcasses and tough (>46 N), lean (≤3.6% intramuscular fat) meat with a macronutrient composition otherwise similar to beef from animals raised elsewhere (72-74% moisture and 20-24% protein). Fatty acid profiles depend on the breed and production systems, while mineral content is influenced by the environment. Although lean and tough, tropical beef is highly acceptable to the consumers it serves, is culturally and traditionally relevant and, in many countries, contributes to food security. Consolidating the findings from animal and meat science studies in the Tropics has allowed the demonstration of an axiomatic basis defining "tropical beef" as a concept.

Effects of Chitosan Coating with Green Tea Aqueous Extract on Lipid Oxidation and Microbial Growth in Pork Chops during Chilled Storage.

Lipid oxidation and microbial growth are the major causes of meat quality deterioration. Natural ingredients in meat products have been proposed as a strategy to prevent quality deterioration during cold storage. This study aimed to assess the effects of added chitosan coating, alone and in combination with green tea water extract (GTWE), on the quality of pork chops during prolonged cold storage. For evaluating oxidative and antimicrobial stabilities, 72 fresh pork samples were subjected to four treatments (n = 18 per treatment): T0 (non-coated chops without GTWE); T1 (chitosan-coated chops without GTWE); T2 (chitosan-coated chops plus 0.1% of GTWE); and T3 (chitosan-coated chops plus 0.5% of GTWE). Pork samples were stored at 0 °C and subjected to physicochemical evaluation (pH, colour, and lipid oxidation) and microbiological analyses (mesophilic and pyschrotrophic counts) at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 days of storage. GTWE presented high total phenolic content (> 500 mg gallic acid equivalents/g); the incorporation of chitosan coatings increased (p < 0.05) free radical scavenging activity (FRSA, >90% of inhibition) and microbial growth inhibition (>50% for all tested pathogens), depending on the concentration. Further, GTWE inclusion in pork samples (T2 and T3) reduced (p < 0.05) pH, lipid oxidation and microbial counts, as well as colour loss in meat and bone throughout storage. Chitosan coating with GTWE could be used as an additive for the preservation of pork meat products.

Multiple Interventions for Improving Food Safety Practices in 2 Small Beef Abattoirs of Honduras and Associated Impacts on Risk-Mitigation Management.

Mitigation of risk for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Salmonella contamination was evaluated after a multiple-intervention approach (comprising food safety education and training, implementation of customized food safety practices and programs, and environmental monitoring programs with audits and corrective actions) in 2 small Honduran beef abattoirs. Previously, neither abattoir had food safety programs in place nor were they subjected to strict food safety regulatory surveillance. Abattoirs A and B were sampled on 4 nonconsecutive months each. Swab samples of abattoir A (n = 160, 40 samples per sampling date) and abattoir B (n = 78, 16-22 samples per sampling date) were taken from direct and indirect food contact surfaces, screened by BAX real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and confirmed using immunomagnetic separation, selective media, and latex agglutination. In abattoir A, Salmonella presence was negligible, whereas presumptive STECs were present in 10%, 12.5%, 0%, and 5% of the environmental samples respective to each sampling month, indicating a reduction of STEC (P = .06) by the third and fourth sampling months. Conversely, presumptive STEC presence was negligible in abattoir B, whereas Salmonella presence for each sampling month was of 5.6%, 6.3%, 27.3%, and 0.0%, respectively. Upon the increased pathogen presence detected on the third sampling month, additional actions were taken to reinforce the implementation of food safety practices and programs, which resulted in a Salmonella reduction to 0% by the fourth sampling month (P = .013). The satisfactory results strongly suggest that a multiple-intervention approach is crucial to improve food safety in this type of premises.

Attitudinal Determinants of Beef Consumption in Venezuela: A Retrospective Survey.

Consumer surveys were conducted in the Western, Central, and Eastern regions of Venezuela to determine buying expectations, motivations, needs, perceptions, and preferences of beef consumers, and their acceptance of domestic (and foreign) beef, as affected by different intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Data (n = 693) were gathered by face-to-face interviews on the way out of fresh markets, butcher stores, supermarkets, and, in some cases, at home by using a 45-question structured questionnaire. Responses were subjected to factorial analysis of correspondence (FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis. From the FA, the first two factors explain 74% of the common variance. Factor 1 comprises intrinsic attributes such as color, smell, tenderness, flavor, juiciness, and freshness; while Factor 2 contains extrinsic attributes, mostly related to the origin. The FA profiling data showed that it is possible to concentrate on the traits that consumers usually use as a criterion to perceive beef quality, and to purchase beef. Using cluster analysis, four groups of consumers were mainly distinguished by region, intrinsic attributes, and credence attributes related to production system, aging, traceability, and hygiene. Results from this study will be helpful in designing strategies for recovering and enhancing the future, domestic beef demand.

In-Plant Validation Study of Harvest Process Controls in Two Beef Processing Plants in Honduras.

Imported meat in the United States can become a food safety hazard if proper food safety programs are not fully implemented in foreign meat processing plants. Thus, exporting countries' food safety inspection systems must be equivalent to the U.S. federal inspection system to become eligible to export meat to the United States. The objective of this study was to validate the beef harvest Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points and food safety programs of two beef processing plants in Honduras operating under U.S. equivalency standards by evaluating the presence of Salmonella (plant A) and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC; plant B) on hides. Additionally, evaluating pathogen transfer from hides to carcasses, as detected by preevisceration sampling, and the mitigation of transferred pathogens, by application of carcass spray interventions and determination of Salmonella presence in lymph nodes, was also conducted. In plant A, the presence of Salmonella on hides ( n = 30 of 687; 4.4%) was significantly greater ( P < 0.10) than on carcasses swabbed at preevisceration ( n = 7 of 687; 1.0%), after intervention ( n = 13 of 678; 1.9%), and in lymph nodes ( n = 14 of 691; 2.0%). In plant B, Salmonella was not detected on hide samples; therefore, data could not be used for validation of the harvest Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points program. Alternatively, STEC presence on hides ( n = 21 of 85; 24.7%) was greater ( P < 0.10) than on carcasses at preevisceration ( n = 3 of 85; 3.5%) and after intervention ( n = 1 of 85; 1.2%). Pathogen presence in plant B did not differ ( P = 0.306) between carcasses in preevisceration and postintervention stages; both, however, were substantially low. Both plants' controls effectively reduced Salmonella and STEC presence in postintervention carcasses.

Predictability of lean product, bone, and fat trim in beef carcasses from Costa Rica.

Data from 292 hot fat trimmed carcasses derived from Costa Rican cattle were used to predict yield of fabricated boneless, closely-trimmed, high-valued cuts (BVS, by weight and percentage); yield of total saleable product (TSP, by weight and percentage); and percentage yields of bone and trim fat. Backfat thickness was not significantly associated with weight of BVS or TSP. Carcass weight explained 93.7% and 95.9% of the total variation in weight of BVS and TSP, respectively. Equations for predicting percentage yields of BVS and TSP showed little predictive efficacy. Conversely, the greater precision of the equations selected to predict the quantity (kg) of BVS or TSP, offers a practical alternative of using them in hot fat trimmed carcasses.

Cholesterol and fatty acid composition of longissimus thoracis from water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and Brahman-influenced cattle raised under savannah conditions.

Male (n=66) water buffalo (Buffalo) and Brahman-influenced cattle (Brahman) were born, raised, weaned, fattened on grazing savannah and harvested at two different ages (19 and 24months) to compare lipid composition of the longissimus thoracis muscle. Half of the animals were castrated at seven months of age (MOA) to examine the castration effects. At 24 MOA Brahman steers showed the highest content of total lipids (P<0.05). No significant variation was detected in cholesterol content for either the main or interaction effects in the age groups. Some individual fatty acids varied with the species (P<0.05), however, interspecific similarities were found in fatty acid ratios. For health-related indices, only atherogenic index (AI) showed lower values in favor of Buffalo meat (P<0.05) at both harvesting ages. Although, meat derived from both bovid groups was leaner and showed lower cholesterol level, AI indicates that Buffalo meat might be beneficial from a human health standpoint.

Composición nutritiva de la carne de ganado tropical venezolano / Nutritional composition of tropical venezuelan beef

Actualmente, existe cada vez, más preocupación por la salud del consumidor y los productores de carne e investigadores, están dando mayor importancia a su calidad nutritiva. Así, en su interés por erradicar falsas creencias, en relación al contenido nutricional de la carne bovina, derivadas de la utilización de datos foráneos provenientes de animales de otras razas alimentados con granos o feedlot con alto contenido lipídico, se ha estudiado la composición nutritiva de la carne bovina venezolana, considerando factores como la especie (la carne vacuna se comparó con bufalina, cerdo y pollo) y la condición sexual, utilizando muestras del músculo longissimus dorsi thoracis libre de grasa de cobertura. Se encontró bajo nivel de marmoleo y baja concentración lipídica y de colesterol. Además, buena cantidad de proteínas de alto valor biológico y cierta cantidad de ácido linoleico conjugado (CLA); que constituye una fuente excelente de minerales como P, Fe y Zn, y un buen balance AGPI/AGS, ω6/ω3, favorables para el individuo. Presenta índices H/h, IA e IT (relación ácidos grasos hipercolesterolémicos/hipocolesterolémicos, índice aterogénico y trombogénico, respectivamente), comparables o más bajos que los reportados en la literatura internacional. La castración favorece la acumulación de lípidos. Presenta menor tenor lipídico que los cortes norteamericanos. Cuando elija un alimento, la carne bovina libre de grasa no tiene nada que envidiar a la de otras especies como la carne de pollo y cerdo y es una buena opción nutricional. La carne de bóvidos jóvenes a pastoreo es una buena opción en regímenes dietéticos saludables(AU)

Currently, there is growing interest about the health of the consumer, so, meat producers and researchers are giving more importance to the nutritional quality of this food. Thus, in their interest to eradicate false beliefs about the nutritional content of beef, derived of the use of foreign data from animals of other breeds or feedlot grain-fed with high lipid content, for this reason it has conducted studies about the nutritional composition in Venezuelan beef considering factors, such as, the species (stablishing comparisons between beef, buffalo, pork and chicken), and sexual condition, using samples of longissimus dorsi thoracis without fat coverage. The results showed a low marbling level of meat bovids, a low of cholesterol and lipid concentration. In addition, it provides a good amount of protein with high biological quality and a certain amount of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Is an excellent source of minerals such as P, Fe and Zn, and a good balance of PUFA / SFA, n6/n3 favorable to the individual. Presents indices H/h, IA and IT (hypercholesterolemic / hypocholesterolemic fatty acid ratio, atherogenic and thrombogenic index, respectively), comparable to or lower than those reported in the international literature. Castration promotes lipid accumulation. When compared to U.S. meat with similar Venezuelan cut, it presents lower lipid tenor. When choosing a food, the fat-free meat of bovids has nothing to envy to the meat of other species such as chicken and pork, so it seems to become a good nutritional option. Is conclude, that meat of young bovids fed to grazing appears to be a good option for healthy dietary regimens(AU)

Survey of Mexican retail stores for US beef product.

Retail packages (N=1004) containing fresh US beef in display cases in five cities across three regions of Mexico were surveyed for cut types, cutting styles, fat thickness measurements, marbling scores, and USDA Quality Grades to gain an overview of fresh US beef in Mexican retail markets. Data were analyzed to generate frequency distributions and examine the effect of city, geographical region, store chain, and socio-economic status of the targeted clientele on type, cutting style, fat measures and quality of beef cuts of US origin. Top round, bottom round and knuckle were the most common cut types. Milanesa-type slice and "bistec" (steak for grilling) were the predominant cutting styles. Over 95% of the retail cuts were trimmed to 3.2mm or less of external fat. Most cuts were USDA Select (74.5%) and USDA Choice (24.5%). External fat thickness and marbling score differed among cities and store chains (P<0.01).

Exploratory survey at the mexican marketplace on pork muscles characteristics from USA and Mexico

Trends in variation of physical, chemical and sensory traits due to country of origin (COO) were evaluated for samples from United States of America (U.S.A.) and Mexico of three pork muscles, Rectus femoris (RF, n = 20 from each COO), Vastus medialis (VM, n = 20 from each COO), and Longissimus dorsi (LD, n = 10 from each COO) in two separate, small-scale, exploratory surveys conducted at Mexico City. Compositional, physical and chemical properties and consumer acceptability traits of these Mexican and U.S.A. pork samples were quite similar, though Mexican pork samples generally were more variable. LD samples from U.S.A. had greater (P<0.05) water-holding and emulsifying capacities whereas both RF and LD from U.S.A. required lower shear force (P<0.05) compared to Mexican counterparts. Ratings from consumers did not indicate preference for pork from any of the countries. Because of the limited number of observations for the samples surveyed these results are preliminary and may not adequately characterize the populations of each country, but they did reveal important trends for selected traits of Mexican and U.S.A. pork currently available at the local market.

Se evaluaron tendencias en la variación de características físico-químicas y sensoriales debidas al país de origen (PDO), de muestras mexicanas y estadounidenses (EUA) de tres músculos del cerdo: Rectus femoris (RF, n = 20 por PDO), Vastus medialis (VM, n = 20 por PDO), and Longissimus dorsi (LD, n = 10 por PDO) mediante dos encuestas exploratorias separadas, a baja escala, conducidas en la Ciudad de México. Los resultados mostraron que músculos porcinos de los dos orígenes tienen propiedades físicas, químicas y sensoriales muy similares, aunque las muestras mexicanas mostraron mayor variabilidad. Las muestras de LD de EUA tuvieron mayor (P<0,05) capacidad de retención de agua y emulsificación, y al igual que las de RF, requirieron menos fuerza de corte que las mexicanas (P<0,05). Los consumidores no pudieron detectar diferencias entre muestras de diferente origen. Debido al limitado número de observaciones en las muestras encuestadas, los resultados deben considerarse preliminares y si bien no permiten caracterizar adecuadamente las poblaciones de cada país, las mismas revelan tendencias importantes para los rasgos seleccionados de la carne de cerdo procedente de México y EUA disponibles actualmente en el mercado local.

Efecto de la suplementación estratégica, régimen de implantes y condición sexual sobre la composición proximal y mineral de carne de bovinos cruda y cocida / Effect of strategic supplementation, implant regime and gender on the proximate and mineral composition of raw and cooked bovine meat

Se evaluó el efecto de suplementación, régimen de implantes (RI) y condición sexual (CS) sobre la composición proximal y mineral del longissimus dorsi crudo y cocido, de 89 animales (77 toros y 12 novillos) alimentados al azar con pasto (NSUE) o con suplementación estratégica (SUE). Un grupo (n= 49) fueron implantado con una doble dosis de Ralgro® (2Ralgro), con reimplante a los 90 d.; a otro (n=40), con un tratamiento mixto: Revalor® por 90 d., luego 2Ralgro (Revalor-2Ralgro). El análisis de varianza (ANOVA) reveló que la carne cruda de los toros SUE, mostró mayor contenido de humedad (HUM) (P<0,05) (74,23 vs. 73,88 g/100g de muestra), mientras que el Na fue el único mineral afectado (P<0,05) en las muestras cocidas de los NSUE (71,32 vs. 69,16 mg/100g de muestra). RI sólo afectó el contenido de Na y Cu observándose un aumento (P<0,05) en la carne cocida de toros implantados con Revalor-2Ralgro. CS afectó a HUM (P<0,05), mostrando la carne cocida de novillos el mayor contenido. La SUE x RI incrementó(P<0,05) el contenido de proteínas (PC) en la carne cocida de los toros SUE implantados con Revalor-2Ralgro, mientras que la CS x RI incrementó el contenido de lípidos (LIP) y la concentración de K de la carne cruda de novillos. Se observó que ni SUE ni IR produjeron los resultados esperados, es decir, un aumento del PC, y la disminución en LIP en las muestras de carne consideradas; los incrementos observados en la carne cocida se debieron probablemente a la pérdida del agua durante la cocción. Los resultados sugieren que la suplementación estratégica, la administración de implantes hormonales y la castración utilizados para maximizar los índices productivos del ganado, si bien no produjeron un beneficio adicional en lacomposición química de las carnes, tampoco disminuyeron la calidad nutricional de las mismas.

The effect of supplementation, implant regime (IR) and gender (G) on the proximal and mineral composition of the raw and cooked longissimus dorsi muscle, from 89 animals (77 bulls and 12 steers) was studied. A randomly selected group of animals was grass-fed (NSUE) and other was strategically supplemented (SUE). One group (n= 49) was implanted with one double dose of Ralgro® (2Ralgro) and then reimplanted to the 90 d. Another one (n= 40) was treated with a mixture: Revalor® for 90 d. then 2Ralgro before the slaughter (Revalor-2Ralgro). The analysis of the variance (ANOVA) detected a higher moisture (M) content in the raw SUE bull meat (74.23 vs. 73.88 g/100g of sample), while only Na from NSUE was the mineral affected in the cooked meat (71.32 vs. 69.16 g/100g of sample). IR only affected (P<0.05) the Na and Cu content; an increase in the cooked bull meat reimplanted with Revalor-2Ralgro was observed. Gender (G) affected (P<0.05) M, being higher in the cooked steers meat samples. SUE x IR interaction significantly (P<0.05) increased the protein content (PC) in the cooked bull meat (SUE) implanted with Revalor-2Ralgro, while G x IR interaction had provoked an increase in LIP and K contents of the raw steers meat. It is inferred that neither SUE nor IR caused the expected results, it is to say, an increase in PC nor a decrease in LIP in the meat samples considered; the increments observed in the cooked meat was probably due to loss of the water during cooking. Results suggest of SUE, IR and castration used for maximize the cattle productive index, although they did not produce an additional benefit in the chemical composition of the meat samples, did not diminish their nutritional quality either.

Características al sacrificio rasgos del canal y rendimiento carnicero de novillos criollo limonero sometidos a suplementación durante la fase de ceba a pastoreo / Slaugter characteristics carcass traits and cutability of criollo limonero steers fattened on pasture with supplementation regimes

Se estudiaron efectos de dos tipos de suplementación a pastoreo sobre caracaterísticas al sacrificio, rasgos en canal y rendimiento carnicero de 23 novillos de la raza Criollo Limonero. A los 36 meses de edad, éstos se distribuyeron aleatoriamente a tres grupos durante 158 d: T1= Pastoreo (Echinochloa polystachia) no suplementado, como testigo; T2= Pastoreo más 1,0 Kg/animal/día de concentrado al 11% PC y T3= Pastoreo más 1 h/día ramoneando Leucaena leucocephala. Análisis de varianza covarianza por el método de mínimos cuadrados indicaron que ningún tratamiento de suplementación (T2, T3), afectó (P>0,05) el rendimiento en canal, los rasgos de la canal y variables de rendimiento en cortes. Solo se observó una menor proporción de víceras blancas frente al testigo del grupo suplementado con Leucaena (7.98% vs 7,07%). Se sugiere estudiar otras alternativas de manejo y de alimentación con alta energía que permitan mejorar la calidad de la canal y el rendimiento cárnico de novillos de esta raza Bos taurus lechera tropical.