ABSTRACT. In order to evaluate how beef buyers in the State of Paraná, Brazil south value meat quality indicators, and attributes of credibility, 519 interviews were conducted in three cities with different sizes (Big - Curitiba, Medium - Campo Mourão and Small - Palotina). The interviews were applied after the meat was placed in the shopping cart and were composed of five questions, including question of spontaneous response: (i) factors that the buyer considers at the purchasing time; (ii) information which the buyer considers important to appear on the meat label; and three questions of stimulated response: (i) preference for meat preparation and exposure for sale, (ii) factors that the buyer considers when purchasing the meat, and (iii) preference for marbling (by photograph) according to the beef preparation. The results showed that beef buyers are more concerned with extrinsic meat quality indicators than the intrinsic ones, especially the meat presentation and hygiene of the sale point; have little knowledge about the factors that positively influence the eating experience of beef and do not cares about attributes of credibility, except for the meat expiration date. Beef buyers from medium (Campo Mourão) and small (Palotina) cities have a similar behavior, and differ from the buyers of a big (Curitiba) city among the attributes surveyed, in relation to the greater appreciation of inspection, tenderness and marbling, and less importance given to the expiration date. Beef buyers prefer meat cut by the butcher; however, this preference is higher in the small city.

Abstract Glycerin is an organic compound with an alcoholic function and can be esterified into fatty acids to form triglycerides. Due to the increasing availability of glycerin, studies that determine the best level of its inclusion in diets for ruminants are needed. This study evaluated the effects of glycerin supplementation on the proximate composition and fatty acid profile of the longissimus lumborum of heifers fed on Brachiaria brizantha pasture. Thirty-six heifers were distributed in a totally randomized design with four treatments (G0.0 = without glycerin, G4.6 = 4.6% glycerin, G9.3 = 9.3% glycerin and G14.3 = 14.3% glycerin). The addition of glycerin decreased the tetradecanoic and octadecanoic fatty acids but increased the pentadecanoic, heptadecanoic, heptadecenoic, eicosanoic, eicosatetraenoic and docosatetraenoic fatty acids. The saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid concentrations were similar across the diets. However, the polyunsaturated (PUFA) concentrations and the PUFA:MUFA and n-6:n-3 ratios increased with the inclusion of glycerin in the diet. Glycerin levels up to 14.3% (corresponding to a substitution of 50.5% of corn for this byproduct as an energy source) did not alter the proximate composition of the meat but improved the fatty acid profile of the longissimus lumborum muscle and, consequently, increased the meat quality, potentially providing benefits for human health.

Resumen La glicerina es un compuesto orgánico con una función alcohólica que puede esterificarse en ácidos grasos para formar triglicéridos. Debido a su disponibilidad cada vez mayor, se necesitan estudios que indiquen el mejor nivel de inclusión en las dietas para los rumiantes. Este estudio evaluó los efectos de la glicerina sobre la composición próxima y el perfil de ácidos grasos de Longissimus lumborum de novillas suplementadas con pasto de Brachiaria brizantha. Se distribuyeron 36 vaquillas en un diseño totalmente aleatorizado con cuatro tratamientos (G0.0 = sin glicerina, G4.6 = 4,6% de glicerina, G9.3 = 9.3% de glicerina y G14.3 = 14.3% de glicerina). La adición de glicerina disminuyó los ácidos grasos tetradecanoico y octadecanoico, pero aumentó los ácidos grasos pentadecanoico, heptadecanoico, heptadecenoico, eicosanoico, eicosatetraenoico y docosatetraenoico. Las concentraciones de ácidos grasos saturados (SFA), monoinsaturados (MUFA) y omega-3 (n-3) fueron similares en todas las dietas. Sin embargo, las concentraciones de poliinsaturados (PUFA) y los niveles de PUFA: MUFA y n-6: n-3 aumentaron con la inclusión de glicerina en las dietas. Los niveles de glicerina hasta 14.3% (que corresponden a una sustitución del 50.5% de maíz por este subproducto como fuente de energía) no alteraron la composición proximal de la carne pero mejoraron el perfil de ácidos grasos del músculo Longissimus lumborum y, en consecuencia, aumentaron la carne calidad, potencialmente proporcionando beneficios para la salud humana.

RESUMO. Os coprodutos da agroindústria constituem uma alternativa para a utilização na nutrição animal. Foram realizados ensaios com oito tipos de coprodutos e alimentos para avaliar a composição bromatológica, a digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca, a proteína bruta e a fibra em detergente neutro, bem como a produção de gases gerados por eles. Os coprodutos utilizados neste estudo foram: casca de café; polpa cítrica peletizada; resíduo de uva; casca de grão de soja; caroço de algodão; rama de mandioca e alimentos tradicionalmente empregados na alimentação de ruminantes: silagem de milho e concentrado de grão de milho moído. Os dados de digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca, da proteína bruta e da fibra em detergente neutro foram interpretados por uma análise de variância, utilizando o método de quadrados mínimos; os resultados da produção de gás foram interpretados por uma regressão não linear pelo método de Gauss-Newton; e os efeitos de tratamentos foram avaliados por teste de médias (Teste de Tukey). Os coeficientes da digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca, da proteína bruta e da fibra em detergente neutro dos alimentos analisados foram distintos. A produção de gases também foi distinta para os coprodutos e alimentos avaliados em relação ao volume de gás produzido nas frações de degradação rápida e lenta, taxa de degradação e para o tempo de colonização das bactérias e para o volume de gás total produzido. Os coprodutos avaliados apresentaram maior digestibilidade in vitro da matéria seca em relação à silagem de milho, com exceção do caroço de algodão, do resíduo de uva e da rama de mandioca. Além disso, os coprodutos apresentaram maiores valores de digestibilidade in vitro da proteína bruta em relação à silagem de milho, e redução da digestibilidade in vitro da fibra em detergente neutro, exceto para a polpa cítrica peletizada e a casca de grão de soja. A silagem de milho apresentou o maior volume de gás produzido na fração de degradação rápida comparada aos coprodutos e ao concentrado de milho. Os coprodutos analisados apresentaram características nutricionais adequadas pelas técnicas utilizadas e podem ser adicionados à dieta de ruminantes.

ABSTRACT. Agroindustrial co-products are a viable alternative for use in animal nutrition. Tests were conducted using eight different types of co-products and feed to evaluate the chemical composition, in vitro digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber, and gas production by them. The co-products tested were: coffee hulls; pelleted citrus pulp; grape residue; soybean hulls; cottonseed; cassava foliage; and foods usually supplied to ruminants: corn silage and ground corn concentrate. Data of in vitro digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were tested by analysis of variance using the least square method; the results of gas production were interpreted by a non-linear regression by the Gauss-Newton method; and the effects of treatments were evaluated by the Tukey’s test. The coefficients of in vitro digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber of co-products were different. Gas production was also different between co-products and feeds evaluated for the volume of gas produced from the fast and slow degradation fractions, degradation rate, bacterial colonization time, and the total volume of gas produced. The evaluated co-products exhibited greater in vitro dry matter digestibility compared to corn silage, except for cottonseed, grape residue, and cassava foliage. Co-products showed higher values of in vitro crude protein digestibility compared to corn silage, and a reduced in vitro digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, except for pelleted citrus pulp and soybean hulls. Corn silage produced larger volume of gas from the fast degradation fraction compared to the co-products and corn concentrate. Co-products analyzed had appropriate nutritional characteristics according to the techniques applied and can be included in ruminant diets.

The natural additive products (propolis or essential oils), in replacing antibiotics, could be used as an alternative for feed strategies to improve animal production. This work was performed to evaluate the effect of natural additives as propolis or essential oils on meat quality of crossbred (Aberdeen Angus vs. Nellore) bulls. Thirty bulls were kept in feedlot (individual pen) for 55 d and randomly assigned to one of three diets (n = 10): control (CON), propolis (PRO), or essential oils (OIL). CON diet consists of corn silage (45% DM) and concentrate (cracked corn, soybean meal, glycerin, limestone, and mineral salt, 55% DM). The PRO group received same CON diet plus 3 g animal-1 d-1 of propolis premix added to the concentrate. The OIL group received same CON diet and 3 g animal-1 d-1 of a premix (cashew Anacardium occidentale L. and castor Ricinus communis L. oils) added to the concentrate. Fat thickness (5.0 mm), pH (5.9), Longissimus muscle area 58.0 cm², marbling, texture, color (L* = 36.6, a* = 17.3, and b* = 5.9), lipid oxidation (0.08 malonaldehyde kg-1 meat), and Warner-Bratzler shear force (3.3 kg) were unaffected by the diet. PRO and OIL diets had no effect neither on moisture (73.7%), ashes (1.1%), protein (23.8%), and lipids (1.7%), fatty acid composition or polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid (PUFA/ SFA, 0.13), and n-6/n-3 ratio (6.9) on Longissimus muscle. Addition of natural additives as propolis extract or cashew and castor oils in the diet of bulls when they are finished in a feedlot did not change meat qualities.

Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar o efeito da adição de própolis e óleos essenciais sobre o desempenho animal, ingestão de alimentos, digestibilidade aparente, características de carcaça de bovinos não castrados terminados em confinamento. Trinta bovinos (½ Aberdeen Angus vs. ½ Nelore) foram designados ao acaso para uma das três dietas (Controle - CON, Própolis - PRO e Óleos essenciais - OIL) e mantidos em confinamento (baias individuais) durante 55 dias. A dieta CON era composta de 45% de silagem de milho, 40% de concentrado (milho moído, farelo de soja, calcário e sal mineral) e 15% de glicerina. O grupo PRO recebeu a mesma dieta que o grupo controle mais 3 gramas animal dia-1 propolis seco adicionado ao concentrado. O grupo OIL recebeu a mesma dieta que o controle mais gramas animal dia¹ de óleos essenciais (óleos de mamona e caju) adicionados ao concentrado. O peso final, ganho médio diário, eficiência alimentar e peso de carcaça quente foram melhores para os bovinos suplementados com óleos essenciais e própolis do que para os animais da dieta controle. A ingestão de alimentos, digestibilidade aparente, conformação de carcaça e composição de tecidos não foram alterados pela adição de aditivos. A adição de própolis e óleos essenciais na dieta de bovinos melhorou o desempenho animal e peso de carcaça.

This work was realized to evaluate the effect of natural additives as propolis or essential oils addition on animal performance, feed intake, apparent digestibility and carcass characteristics of bulls finished in feedlot. Thirty bulls (½ Aberdeen Angus vs. ½ Nellore) were randomly assigned in one of three diets (control - CON, propolis - PRO and essential oils - OIL) and kept in feedlot (individual pen) during 55 days. CON diet consists of 45% corn silage, 40% concentrate (cracked corn, soybean meal, limestone and mineral salt) and 15% glycerine. The PRO group received same diet that control plus 3 grams to animal day-1 of propolis dry added to the concentrate. The OIL oils group received same diet that control and 3 grams to animal day-1 of essential oils (cashew and castor oils) added to the concentrate. Final weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency and hot carcass weightwere better for bulls supplemented with essential oils and propolis than for bulls fed control diet. The feed intake, apparent digestibility, carcass conformation and tissue composition were unaffected by the additives addition. The addition of propolis and essential oils in the diets of bulls finished in feedlot improve animal performance and carcass weight.

Neste estudo foi avaliado o efeito da substituição parcial do milho pela glicerina e óleos essenciais (Essential®) na dieta de bovinos da raça Nelore terminados em confinamento Trinta touros com peso médio de 400 ± 34,1 kg foram alojados em baias coletivas (10 x 20 m²) por 63 dias. Os touros foram divididos aleatoriamente em três dietas (10 touros por tratamento): CON - controle (sem glicerina ou óleos essenciais); GLI - Glicerina (15% na matéria seca - MS) e GEO - Glicerina (15% na MS) e Essential® (óleo de caju líquido e mamona, 3 g animal dia-1). Três marcadores diferentes foram utilizados para estimar a digestibilidade aparente das dietas: matéria seca indigestível - MSi, fibra em detergente neutro indigestível - FDNi e lignina purificada - LIPE®. A substituição do milho pela glicerina e adição de Essential® nas dietas aumentou a digestibilidade da MS e matéria orgânica para os animais. A inclusão de glicerina na dieta reduziu a digestibilidade aparente da FDN, carboidratos fibrosos e não fibrosos. Os marcadores das iDM , FDNi e LIPE® estimaram de forma semelhante a digestibilidade aparente de todos os nutrientes de todas as dietas experimentais.

Current research studied the effect of partial replacing corn by glycerin and essential oils addition in the diet of Nellore bulls finished in feedlot. Thirty bulls with average weight 400 ± 34.1 kg were housed in collective pens (10 x 20 m²) for 63 days. The bulls were randomly assigned to 3 diets (10 bulls per treatment): CON - Control (without glycerin or Essential® oils); GLY - Glycerin (15% on dry matter - DM); and GEO - Glycerin (15% on DM) and Essential® oils (3 g animal day-1). Three different markers were used to estimate apparent digestibility in the diets: indigestible dry matter - iDM; indigestible neutral detergent fiber - iNDF; and purified lignin - LIPE®. Feed efficiency and animal performance were not affected by the corn partial replacing by glycerin. Partial corn replacing by glycerin and Essential® oils addition in the diets increased the DM and organic matter apparent digestibility for bulls. The glycerin addition in the diet decreased NDF, fibrous carbohydrate and non-fibrous carbohydrate digestibility. Apparent digestibility estimated by markers iDM, iNDF and LIPE® were similar to all nutrients in the diet.

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance, carcass characteristics and chemical composition of Longissimusmuscle (LM) of the bulls. Twenty-four Nellore bulls were used in a complete randomised design. The bulls were randomly assigned to one of the three diets containing 0, 5 or 12% glycerin. Final BW and ADG were similar (P>0.05) between the bulls fed with 5 or 12% of glycerin but were higher (P<0.10) compared to the bulls fed without glycerin. DMI and feed efficiency was not affected (P>0.05) by glycerin level. Hot carcass weight increased (P<0.10) when glycerin was fed at 5%. Glycerin level did not affect (P<0.05) the dressing percentage and fat thickness. LM increased (P<0.10) when glycerin was fed at 12%. Dietary glycerin did not affect (P>0.05) the conformation, colour, texture, marbling and pH. There was difference (P>0.05) for moisture, ashes and crude protein among glycerin levels. Bulls fed 12% glycerin present the highest (P<0.03) total lipids on LM. The percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated acids (PUFA), n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and PUFA/SFA and n-6:n-3 ratios of the LM were similar among the diets. In conclusion, glycerin level did not affect the animal performance and carcass characteristics of Nellore bulls finished in feedlot.

Este trabalho foi realizado para avaliar as características de carcaça e composição química do músculo Longissimus de 32 bovinos não castrados de quatro grupos genéticos abatidos aos 14 meses de idade. Foi usado um modelo experimental inteiramente casualizado e distribuídos em quatro grupos genéticos: 1. Caracu (CAR); 2. Canchin (CAN); 3. Charolês vs. Caracu (CHC) e 4. Aberdeen Angus vs. Canchin (AAC). O rendimento e a conformação de carcaça foram menores para os animais do grupo genético CAR em comparação ao grupo genético CAN, CHC e AAC. Não houve diferença para umidade, cinzas, proteína bruta e colesterol total entre os quatros grupos genéticos. O grupo genético teve influência sobre o perfil de ácidos graxos do músculo Longissimus dos bovinos. Os bovinos com genes zebu tiveram maiores níveis de ácidos graxos saturados. Os ácidos graxos saturados representaram aproximadamente 50% da composição dos ácidos graxos do músculo Longissimus. O grupo genético teve efeito nas percentagens de ácidos graxos saturados e poliinsaturados, n-3 e n-6 e sobre a razão entre n-6 e n-3.

Carcass characteristics and chemical composition of Longissimus muscle of 32 young bulls from four genetic groups slaughtered at 14 months old were evaluated. Experimental design was completely randomized and distributed into four genetics groups: 1. Caracu (CAR); 2. Canchin (CAN); 3. Charolais vs. Caracu (CHC) and 4. Aberdeen Angus vs. Canchin (AAC). Carcass dressing and carcass conformation were lower for CAR than CAN, CHC and AAC genetic groups. No difference has been reported with regard to moisture, ash, crude protein, total lipids and total cholesterol among four genetics groups. The genetic groups influence fatty acid profile on Longissimus muscle in bulls. Cattle with zebu genes had the highest rates in unsaturated fatty acids, saturated fatty acids represented approximately 50% of total fatty acid composition on Longissimus muscle. The genetic groups presented differences in PUFA, SFA, n-6 and n-3 percentages and n-6 and n-3 ratios.

Este estudo avaliou a resposta superovulatória, produção e qualidade de embriões e o efeito da estação do ano sobre as alterações hormonais e na produção embrionária de vacas Nelores alimentadas com semente de linhaça (n-3) ou semente de canola (n-6). Dezesseis vacas Nelores foram usadas neste estudo (550 ± 48,0 kg). Nas quatro estações do ano as vacas receberam diferentes dietas: controle (CON), com semente de linhaça (LIN) e com semente de canola (CAN). Não houve diferença na resposta superovulatória e número total de corpos lúteos produzidos em função das dietas. O número de vacas que respondeu ao tratamento superovulatório foi maior na primavera (93,8%) do que no verão (62,5%). Não houve diferença para as três dietas sobre o número médio de estruturas colhidas (6,20; 4,96 e 6,50), de estruturas não fertilizadas (2,53; 1,17 e 1,60) ou de embriões congeláveis (3,40; 1,30 e 3,80). O número médio de embriões degenerados foi maior para as vacas com a dieta LIN (2,48) do que para as vacas da dieta CON (0,32). A dieta CAN mostrou uma resposta intermediária (1,10). O número de estruturas produzidas foi menor no inverno (3,57) e verão (3,50) do que no outono (8,75) e primavera (7,25).

Superovulatory response, production and embryo quality and the effects of seasonal changes on embryo production of Nellore cows fed on either linseed (n-3) or canola seeds (n-6) were evaluated. Sixteen Nellore cows (550 ± 48.0 kg) were fed on three diets: control diet (CON), diet with linseed (LIN) and diet with canola seed (CAN) during four seasons. There was no difference in superovulatory response and in total corpora lutea produced when diets are taken into consideration. The number of cows that responded to superovulatory treatment was higher in the winter (93.8%) than in the summer (62.5%). No difference with regard to the three diets existed on the average number of total structures (6.20, 4.96 and 6.50), unfertilized structures (2.53, 1.17 and 1.60) or congealable embryos (3.40, 1.30 and 3.80). Average degenerated embryos were higher for cows fed on LIN diet (2.48) than for those fed on CON diet (0.32); the CAN diet presented an intermediate response (1.10). Mean total structures produced were lower during the winter (3.57) and summer (3.50) than during the autumn (8.75) and spring (7.25).

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the longissimus muscle of 32 young bulls from four genetic groups: Caracu; Canchin; Aberdeen Angus × Canchin; and Charolais × Caracu, finished in feedlot and slaughtered at 22 months old. Each group was composed of eight animals. There was no difference for moisture, ash, crude protein or total cholesterol between bulls from different genetic groups. However, total lipids percentage was higher for bulls from Caracu and Aberdeen Angus × Canchin and lower for Canchin and Charolais genetic groups. Polyunsaturated fattty acids and n-6 percentage was higher for Canchin and lower for Caracu, Aberdeen Angus × Canchin and Charolais genetic groups. Canchin and Charolais × Caracu genetic groups presented higher n-3 percentage than Caracu and Aberdeen Angus × Canchin. There was no difference for the n-6/n-3 ratio among the bulls from the four genetic groups.

Two height cuttings of corn silage with or without enzyme inoculants were evaluated for 68 days on performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality and chemical composition of the Longissimus muscle in crossbred bulls (F1 - ½ Nellore vs. ½ Angus) finished in feedlot. Thirty-two 20-month-old bulls, with initial average weight of 374±25 kg, were kept in individual pens (10 m²). Diets consisted of 50% roughage and 50% concentrate, with an expected 1.80 kg/day weight gain. The experimental design with four diets and eight replications was completely randomized. Different cutting heights, low (25 cm) and high (45 cm), with or without enzyme inoculants, were studied. Live weight, average daily gain, feed intake, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics, muscle, fat and bone percentages at the 11th and 12th ribs, chemical composition of the Longissimus muscle, sum of saturated, mono-unsaturated, poly-unsaturated fatty acids, n-3 fatty acids, n-6 fatty acids, and the poly-unsaturated:saturated and n-6:n-3 relations were determined. Cutting height of silage corn and the use of inoculants did not affect final live weight, average daily gain, feed intake, alimentary efficiency of dry matter, carcass characteristics, meat quality, chemical composition of the Longissimus muscle or fatty acid profile. High cutting of silage corn (45 cm above the ground) and the use of inoculants are not necessary in the case of cattle finished in feedlot, with 1.8 kg daily gain.