Dietary inclusion of tomato pomace improves meat oxidative stability of young pigs

The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional effect of tomato pomace, in combination with two distinct fat sources (lard or soya bean oil), on longissimus lumborum muscle, subcutaneous fat and liver of young pigs. Forty male pigs of 4 weeks old were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments using two fibre sources (wheat bran or 5.0% tomato pomace) and two fat sources (lard or soya bean oil), in a 2 × 2 factorial design for a 5‐week trial. Tomato pomace did not improve colour, fatty acid profile, cholesterol content or lipid oxidation, nor did it yield detectable levels in lycopene or β‐carotene in the meat (p > 0.05). However, a positive increase in α‐tocopherol content of meat and liver was observed in pigs fed tomato pomace (p < 0.05). Compared with lard, soya bean oil increased MUFA and PUFA proportions and decreased the percentage of SFA (p < 0.05). Our results indicate that 5.0% of tomato pomace increases pork oxidative stability and that 5.0% of soya bean oil, compared with lard, improves its nutritional quality.     

Effect of crossbreeding with Limousine,Rubia Gallega and Belgium Blue on meat quality and fatty acid profile of Holstein calves

The object of this work was to study the effects of crossbreeding on meat quality and fatty acid profile of Holstein calves. Samples were taken from Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle of 36 calves of three different groups (Holstein crossed with Rubia Gallega (HF×RG), Holstein crossed with Limousine (HF×LI) and Holstein crossed with Belgian Blue (HF×BB)). Significant differences were observed in carcass weight and killing out percentage (P < 0.001) among, groups reaching the highest values in the HF×BB group (228 kg and 59.4%, respectively), while the cross with Limousine presented the lowest values for carcass weight (191 kg) and the cross with Rubia Gallega showed the lowest killing out percentages (54.9%). Meat from HF×RG animals was redder (a* 13.31) and lightest (L* 39.55) than meat from HF×LI and HF×BB groups. With regard to fatty acid profile, the saturated fatty acids were the most abundant fatty acid, followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the three groups. Crossbreeding did not affect the proportion of fatty acid. Finally, live weight, cold carcass weight, killing out, shear force, L* from LT, b*from LT, a* from fat, b* from fat, C14:0, C15:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:3n‐6, MUFA and price‐to‐sales ratio were the selected variables from discriminant analysis to classify the types of crossbreeding.     

Is meat quality from Longissimus lumborum samples correlated with other cuts in horse meat?

The present work aims to investigate if the variation of each parameter in Longissimus lumborum muscle could correspond to the same or to a similar variation of the parameter in the other muscles. The work presents results of Pearson's correlations between Longissimus lumborum samples and other muscle samples, such as Biceps femoris, Rectus femoris, Semimembranosus, Supraspinatus and Semitendinosus in horse meat. A total of 27 male IHDH (Italian Heavy Draught Horse) breed foals were employed. They were slaughtered at 11 months of age and the above‐mentioned muscles were sampled. The Longissimus lumborum muscle showed to be representative of other muscles and of the whole carcass for some chemical parameters (moisture, protein and ash) and for some fatty acids profile patterns such as C12:0, C14:0, total monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid, but poor correlations were recorded for intramuscular fat concentration, rheological and colorimetric parameters. Although almost all the qualitative parameters in meat are affected by the anatomical site and by the muscle, the Longissimus lumborum is often not representative in horse meat with regard to modifications of this parameters.     

Physical and nutritional properties of buffalo meat finished on hay or maize silage‐based diets

The current study examines the effect of different finishing diets (hay‐ vs. maize‐silage on meal ration) on carcass quality, physical, chemical and sensory properties, and fatty acid profiles of buffalo meat. Twenty male Italian Mediterranean buffaloes (246 ± 9.00 kg live weight) were distributed at random into two groups at the beginning of the finishing period (368 ± 20 days). The buffaloes were offered two finishing diets: a maize silage (MS) or an alfalfa hay (AH) diet. No significant differences were found between dietary treatments for live and carcass weight. Meat chemical composition was influenced by dietary treatment. A higher fat content was detected in meat from animals finished with MS than AH (P < 0.05). Overall, the data indicated differences between the fatty acid profiles of meat as a consequence of different feeding systems. The higher fat deposition in the MS group resulted in meat with a less favorable fatty acid profile (i.e. a lower polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio and α‐linolenic fatty acid content) in relation to human health compared with meat from animals fed the AH diet.     

Effect of local diets on nutritional and sensory quality of meat of indigenous goats in Tunisian arid regions

The valorization of natural resources in small ruminants feeding can reduce the cost of feed and produce good meat quality. The objective was to evaluate the effects of local feed resources on the physico‐chemical aspects, the sensorial characteristics and the fatty acid profile of goat kid's meat. Twenty‐six kids are divided in three groups (average body weight = 15.85 kg; age = 4 months). The groups received oat hay (group control C), dried olive leaves + dried Stipa tenacissima (group OL) or grass hay (group Ko). The animals were slaughtered after 90 days of experience, with an approximate final live weight of 18.5 kg. Total solids, pH, fat, crude protein, vitamin, cholesterol and fatty acid contents of meat were determined. The OL group had the highest ultimate pH (6.82 vs. 6.73); cooking loss, gross composition (total solids, protein and fat), cholesterol and colour coordinates (L, a* and b*) were similar among groups. The vitamin E, affected by diet, was higher in group OL than the other groups (3.71 mg/kg vs. 1.32 and 2.17 mg/kg, respectively, for C and Ko groups). Moreover, meat from this group showed the highest saturated fatty acid. Unsaturated fatty acids content was higher in the meat of C and Ko groups. On the other side, polyunsaturated fatty acid level was not affected by the diet treatment. The n6/n3 ratio was significantly affected by the diet; it was lower in meat of groups Ko and OL (3.17 and 3.38 respectively). The feeding effect on sensory quality of meat was not significant.     

Characteristics of Biceps femoris and Longissimus thoracis muscles of five cattle breeds grown in a feedlot system

Our experiment was conducted to study physical quality and chemical composition of meat of Angus (A), Hereford (H), Friesian Holstein (FH), Australian Commercial Cross (ACC) and Murray Grey (MG) cattle breeds grown in a feedlot system. Significant differences were observed among five cattle breeds for cooking loss, tenderness, fatty acid composition, collagen and cholesterol content of meat. However, pH, water‐holding capacity, water, ash, fat and crude protein contents were not different. Cholesterol content of meat of A and FH was lower (P < 0.01) than that of H, ACC and MG. Acidity (pH), cooking loss, shear force, water, ash, crude protein, collagen and cholesterol content of Biceps femoris muscle were higher than those of Longissimus thoracis muscle, but water‐holding capacity and fat content were lower. Unsaturated fatty acid content of Biceps femoris muscle was higher (P < 0.01) than that of Longissimus thoracis. In conclusion, the differences among cattle breeds had a great effect on cooking loss, shear force, collagen, fatty acid composition and cholesterol of meat, but had little effect on water‐holding capacity, pH and proximate composition of meat. The meat of Hereford cattle was the best quality, because of the lowest shear force, cooking loss and collagen. Longissimus thoracis muscle was relatively better in cooking loss, tenderness and collagen content than Biceps femoris muscle.     

陇东黑山羊肉品质及脂肪酸特征研究

为分析陇东黑山羊肉品质及脂肪酸特性,本研究在庆阳市随机选取3只12月龄陇东黑山羊公羊,测定其肉品质、营养成分和肌内脂肪酸。结果表明:背最长肌的pH在5.67～6.22,属于鲜肉的正常范围,剪切力为71.74 N,熟肉率为56.37%,肉色评分为3.33;背最长肌的水分含量(73.82%)高于前腿肌和后腿肌(P<0.05),背最长肌和前腿肌中的粗脂肪含量高于后腿肌(P<0.05),粗灰分和粗蛋白质含量在3个肌肉组织中差异均不显著;3个肌肉组织中单不饱和脂肪酸含量高于多不饱和脂肪酸(P<0.05),其中背最长肌中的油酸(C18:1n9c)含量为27.00%;多不饱和脂肪酸与饱和脂肪酸的比值(PUFA/SFA)在背最长肌中的含量为0.33。综合分析,胴体不同部位间营养成分和脂肪酸的组成及含量有一定差异性,背最长肌肉质最优,具有较好的食用价值和生产高档羊肉产品的潜力。     

Expression analyses of candidate genes related to meat quality traits in squabs from two breeds of meat‐type pigeon

In this study, meat quality traits were compared between squabs from two pigeon breeds: one Chinese indigenous breed, the Shiqi (SQ) meat‐type pigeon, and an imported breed, the white king (WK) meat‐type pigeon. Breed differences were detected in the content of intramuscular fat (IMF) in the breast muscle. SQ squabs had significantly higher IMF content than the WK birds. The shear force value (an objective measure of meat tenderness) of SQ birds was also relatively lower than that of the WK squabs. Further analysis of fatty acids profile revealed that SQ squabs exhibited significant advantage in the synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids, while WK squabs were significantly higher in the sum of monounsaturated fatty acids. Breast muscle in the SQ squabs was also significantly higher in the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, as well as the sum of omega 6 fatty acids. Variability of expression levels of functional genes in relation to fat accumulation and meat tenderness was analysed by qRT‐PCR. Gene expression analyses showed that the hepatic expression of LPL (lipoprotein lipase), FABP4 (fatty acid‐binding protein 4), and CAPN2 (calpain‐2) were significantly higher in the SQ squabs. In the breast muscle tissue, the FABP3 (fatty acid‐binding protein 3) and CAPN2mRNA abundance was significantly higher in SQ squabs. Our results suggested that these differentially expressed genes might be candidate genes used in the programmes of targeted selection for squabs with higher IMF content, tender meat, and more favourable fatty acids composition.     

狍肉营养成分分析研究

本文分析了狍肉的营养价值,为狍肉的深入研究提供基础。试验中共有4组样品,每组均分别于背部、腹部、前腿部和后腿部4个部位进行取样。主要以干燥法、灼烧法、索氏提取法、气相色谱法等试验方法对狍肉的营养成分、氨基酸含量以及脂肪酸含量进行了测定。结果表明,狍肉的水分含量为73. 02%—81. 26%,脂肪含量为1. 66%—2. 87%,蛋白质含量为20. 49%—23. 95%。狍肉中有16种氨基酸,其中含有赖氨酸、缬氨酸、异亮氨酸等多种必需氨基酸,必需氨基酸含量占总氨基酸含量的45. 56%。样品狍肉中含有10种脂肪酸,ω-6系与ω-3系脂肪酸的比值为12. 87∶1. 00。     

反刍动物肌内脂肪及脂肪酸调控研究进展

脂肪作为食物中必不可少的养分,它不仅可以提供能量,还可以提供必需脂肪酸。脂肪的硬度、贮存稳定性受肌内脂肪及脂肪酸组成等影响,进而影响脂肪的营养价值、风味以及食用品质,而脂肪酸组成受动物种类、品种、性别和日粮等因素影响。反刍动物由于瘤胃氢化作用导致其脂肪酸饱和程度和异构程度高于单胃动物,从而使其肌内脂肪以及脂肪酸组成不同,导致其肉品质以及风味都不同。本文旨在综述反刍动物肌内脂肪及其脂肪酸构成调控的研究进展。     

Effect of fermented corn–soybean meal on carcass and meat quality of grower-finisher pigs

The fermented feed has been identified as a potential alternative to antibiotics in feeds that markedly affects gut health and growth performance of pigs. Two recent studies performed in our laboratory investigated that the fermented corn–soybean meal (fermented feed, FF) improved the gut health of pigs. This study was conducted to determine the effect of a FF on the carcass, meat quality, muscle fatty acids profile, muscle amino acid and antioxidant ability of grower-finisher pigs. In this study, a total of 48 crossbred barrows (Duroc × Landrace × Large White) were randomly divided into 2 treatments with unfermented corn–soybean diet (Ctrl) and FF diet. Compared with control pigs fed a standard diet, the results showed that FF significantly increased the muscle colour of redness and significantly reduced muscle moisture loss rate. Furthermore, FF significantly increased the content of aromatic amino acids such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid and alanine. More importantly, FF increased monounsaturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid content. Collectively, FF could be a promising feed strategy in improving meat quality and nutritional value in grower-finisher pig.     

Effect of nutritive level on carcass traits and meat quality of IHDH foals

The present work describes the effect of nutritive level on horse carcass traits and on meat quality. Eighteen male Italian Heavy Draught Horse (IHDH) breed foals were employed in the study. Soon after foaling they were randomly subdivided into three groups according to three nutritive level classes: 150%, 180% and 200% of maintenance requirements. Live weight, hot carcass weight and dressing percentage of each animal were recorded. After slaughtering, meat samples were collected from Longissimus dorsi muscle. The right half carcass of each animal was then divided into cuts. Each one was subdivided into lean, fat and bones. Live weight, carcass weight and dressing percentage were not affected by nutritive level (P > 0.05). Horses fed with the lower nutritive level showed a higher incidence of lean and a lower incidence of fat (P < 0.01). Moreover, fatty acid profile was not affected by nutritive level (P > 0.05). Probably the tendency of IHDH foals to concentrate adipogenesis in the subcutaneous district could explain the lack of influence of nutritive level on meat quality parameters and its influence on carcass and cut composition, which tend to be richer in fat.     

子午岭黑山羊与辽宁绒山羊产肉性能、肉品质、肌肉营养成分和脂肪酸含量比较

1990年,甘肃省庆阳市开始引入辽宁绒山羊对子午岭黑山羊进行杂交改良,但目前尚不清楚2个品种在脂肪酸含量、肌肉营养成分等方面的差异,影响了杂交改良效果。试验旨在分析两个绒山羊品种的产肉性能、肉品质、肌肉营养成分和脂肪酸含量差异,为绒山羊的杂交改良提供理论依据。本研究选取相同饲养管理条件下、9月龄的子午岭黑山羊和辽宁绒山羊公羊各5只,测定其屠宰性能以及背最长肌、前腿肌和后腿肌处的肉品质、脂肪酸含量和肌肉营养成分。结果表明：子午岭黑山羊的胴体重、屠宰率、净肉重、净肉率、眼肌面积、GR值、剪切力和滴水损失低于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.05）,但其肌肉的平均亮度值、色度值、pH₁和pH₂₄高于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.01）。营养成分测定结果表明,子午岭黑山羊肌肉的水分和粗灰分含量高于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.05）,但肌内脂肪和粗蛋白含量低于辽宁绒山羊。在2个山羊品种的肌肉中均检测到11 种饱和脂肪酸（SFA,以棕榈酸和硬脂酸为主）、10种多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA,以亚油酸和顺-11,14-二十碳二烯酸为主）和6种单不饱和脂肪酸（MUFA,以油酸为主）,子午岭黑山羊肉中的SFA、PUFA、n-3 PUFA、n-6 PUFA含量和PUFA/SFA值均高于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.01）,但MUFA含量低于辽宁绒山羊（P<0.01）。结果表明,辽宁绒山羊有更高的产肉力,但子午岭黑山羊肌肉品质和营养成分更佳,脂肪酸组成和含量更符合人类健康膳食标准。     

Use of different levels of false flax (Camelina sativa L.) seed in diets for fattening rabbits

An experiment has been conducted to study the effects of various levels of false flax (Camelina sativa L.) seed (FFS) in the diet on the growth performance, some carcass characteristics and fatty acid profile of rabbits meat and fat. In the experiment, a total of 30 weaned crossbred rabbits aged 70 days and weighing, on average, 2316 g were equally divided into three groups of 10 (five male and five female rabbits each). Three levels (0%, 10%, or 15%) of FFS were included in isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets. The experimental period lasted 50 days. At the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences among the groups in live weight, live weight gain, feed consumption, feed efficiency, carcass yield and the percentages of edible organs. The percentage values of head, skin and limbs, fore legs, hind legs, breast and ribs, loin and abdominal wall were not affected by the inclusion level of FFS. Although the chemical composition of the meat was not significantly affected by the dietary treatment, the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentration in the longissimus dorsi muscle and perirenal fat was significantly increased with the increasing of FFS inclusion, while saturated fatty acid (SFA) decreased. The n−6/n−3 PUFA ratio of the meat decreased from 3.86 in the control group, to 1.19 in the 15% of FFS group. These results showed that the use of a diet supplemented with FFS was effective in reducing the saturation, atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes, with consequent benefits on the nutritional quality of rabbit meat for consumers, without significant adverse effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics.     

白耳黄鸡生产性能和肉质性状的研究

对白耳黄鸡生长性能、屠宰性能、常规肉质、胸腿肌化学成分、肌肉组织学特性、胸肌氨基酸和脂肪酸含量等指标进行了研究。白耳黄鸡公母鸡的屠宰率、胸肌率、腿肌率、蛋白质含量、氨基酸总量、腹脂率、人体必需氨基酸含量、必需脂肪酸含量等分别为89.23/90.18%,16.65/18.09%,22.37/21.91%,23.64/25.30%,206.29/218.8mg/g,1.64/2.39%,92.78/96.75mg/g,30.69/29.52%。结果表明,白耳黄鸡的各指标都表现优良,其具有屠宰性能好,肉质优良,必需氨基酸和脂肪酸含量高,腹脂率低等特点,是一个值得推广的地方优良品种。     

Relationships between mineral concentrations and physicochemical characteristics in the Longissimus thoracis muscle of Japanese Black cattle

The relationship between mineral concentrations, and the relationship of mineral concentrations with physicochemical characteristics in muscles were investigated using the Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle of 44 Japanese Black steers. We determined moisture content, fat content, meat color, fatty acid composition and mineral concentrations in the LT muscle. Magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) concentrations had negative correlations with fat content, but sodium (Na), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and molybdenum (Mo) concentrations were not correlated with fat content. The concentrations of Mg, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn largely and positively contributed to the first principal component of mineral concentrations. Because the red muscle was rich in these minerals compared to the white muscle, the variation of these minerals probably results from the abundance of red fibers in the LT muscle. The concentration of K was positively correlated with moisture content but Na concentration was not related to moisture content, suggesting that the intracellular fluid volume can largely affect moisture content. The results of the present experiment suggest that mineral concentrations reflect some traits such as not only fat content but also the composition of myofiber type and the intracellular fluid volume in the LT muscle of Japanese Black cattle.     

Effects of long‐term microalgae supplementation on muscle microstructure,meat quality and fatty acid composition in growing pigs

We investigated the effects of long‐term microalgae supplementation (7% in a piglet diet and 5% in a fattening diet) on muscle microstructure and meat quality, including fatty acid composition in female Landrace pigs (n = 31). The major effects were muscle‐specific increases in n‐3 and n‐6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) concentrations, resulting in increased accumulation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Carcass traits and meat quality of longissimus thoracis muscle were not affected by the microalgae diet with the exception of reduced drip loss (p = 0.01) and increased protein proportion (p = 0.04). In addition, the microalgae diet resulted in a shift to a more oxidative myofibre type composition in semitendinosus but not longissimus thoracis muscle. In conclusion, microalgae supplementation offers a unique opportunity to enhance essential n‐3 PUFA contents in pig meat. The results support small but coordinated changes in skeletal muscle phenotypic appearance and functionality.     

High levels of whole raw soybean in diets for Nellore bulls in feedlot: effect on growth performance,carcass traits and meat quality

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of whole raw soybean (WRS) in the finishing diet of Nellore cattle on productive performance, carcass traits, meat quality, fatty acid profile of meat, and blood parameters. In a completely randomized design, 52 Nellore bulls (mean body weight ± SD: 380 ± 34 kg) were allotted for 84 days. The animals received the following diets with a forage: concentrate ratio of 40/60: (i) WRS0: control diet without soybean grains; (ii) WRS8: diet containing 8% WRS in dry matter basis; (iii) WRS16: diet containing 16% WRS, and (iv) WRS24: diet containing 24% WRS. At intervals of 28 days, the animals were weighed, muscle and adipose tissue was analysed by ultrasound, and blood samples were collected. The animals were slaughtered on day 85 and liver weight and hot carcass weight were measured during slaughter. The pH and carcass dressing were calculated at 24 h after slaughter. Longissimus dorsi muscle samples were collected for the determination of fatty acid profile of meat, ether extract, tenderness and sensory analysis of meat aged for 14 days. Blood cholesterol content increased linearly with increasing proportion of whole raw soybean grains. The diet did not affect performance or carcass attributes. The WRS8 had the highest shear force values. In fatty acid profile, C14:0 decreased (p = 0.05), whereas 16:1, 20:0 and 20:1 fatty acids increased linearly with increasing proportion of WRS (p < 0.05). However, concentration of conjugated linoleic acid cis 9, trans 11 and 17:0 increased with WRS24 and WRS16. In the sensory analysis, WRS24 was more tender with respect to the other treatments (p < 0.05). Finally, the inclusion of WRS in the finishing diet of feedlot Nellore bulls only evidenced little changes in fatty acid profile and tenderness, in animals fed diets containing 16 or 24% soybean.     

Chato Murciano pig and its crosses with Iberian and Large White pigs, reared outdoors. Comparative study of the carcass and meat characteristics

The Chato Murciano pig is an autochthonous breed genetically adapted to the south-east of Spain local conditions and extensive production system. In this work we aimed to compare the quality of the carcass and meat of this local breed and its crosses in outdoor rearing conditions. Samples were taken from the longissimus lumbar muscle of 38 pigs, belonging to three different groups, Chato Murciano (CH), Chato Murciano crossed with Iberian (CH × IB) and Chato Murciano crossed with Large White (CH × LW). The pH values measured at 24 h postmortem were within the normal range. The levels of intramuscular fat were 10.47% for CH, 8.97% for CH × IB, and 11.17% for CH × LW. The CH × LW group showed the highest weights for the most valuable meat cuts. The meat of the Chato Murciano pig and its crosses revealed high levels of iron, copper and phosphorus, and low levels of calcium and sodium.     

Differentially expressed genes identified through RNA‐seq with extreme values of principal components for beef fatty acid in Nelore cattle

The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes (DEG) in the Longissimus thoracis muscle of Nelore cattle related to fatty acid (FA) profile through RNA sequencing and principal component analysis (PCA). Two groups of 10 animals each were selected containing PC1 and PC2 extreme DEG values (HIGH × LOW) for each FA group. The intramuscular fat (IMF) was compared between cluster groups by ANOVA, and only the sum of monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and ω3 showed significant differences (p < .05). Interestingly, the highest percentage (95%) of phenotypic variation explained by the sum of the first two PC was observed for ω3, which also displayed the lowest number of DEG (n = 1). The lowest percentage (59%) was observed for MUFA, which also revealed the largest number of DEG (n = 66). Since only MUFA and ω3 exhibited significant differences between cluster groups, we can conclude that the differences observed for the remaining groups are not due to the percentage of IMF. Several genes that have been previously associated with meat quality and FA traits were identified as DEG in this study. The functional analysis revealed one KEGG pathway and eight GO terms as significant (p < .05), in which we highlighted the purine metabolism, glycolytic process, adenosine triphosphate binding and bone development. These results strongly contribute to the knowledge of the biological mechanisms involved in meat FA profile of Nelore cattle.