Abstract The ultrasound effect on functional and structural properties of hydrolysates of different bovine collagens (fibers, gelatines and hydrolysates) was evaluated. The enzymatically hydrolyzed samples (enzyme Alcalase®) with previous or simultaneous ultrasound treatment presented higher number of bands with shorter wavelengths (mid-FTIR). The ultrasound provided the samples with a higher hydrolysis degree and favored the antimicrobial activity, evidencing the advantages of its use in the process. Results revealed that higher hydrolysis degree does not always result in higher antioxidant activity. The use of ultrasound in the hydrolysis of these samples was seen to be effective, providing them with higher functionality and structural disruption.

Abstract Obtaining collagen and hydrolysates from mechanically separated chicken meat residue is an excellent way to add value to this waste. The aims of this study were to obtain collagen hydrolysates from chicken MSM residue using Alcalase® and Flavourzyme® enzymes, as well characterizing the functional, structural and thermal stability properties. The highest degree of hydrolysis was obtained using Alcalase®, 36.11%, while using Flavourzyme® resulted in 12.02%. The DSC analysis of the collagen indicated a denaturation temperature of 46.47 °C. The FTIR spectra of the crude collagen showed absorption peaks that were characteristic of amide bands A, B, I, II and III. In the spectra of the hydrolysed the area of the amide bands was reduced, and some peaks appeared between 800 and 1,200 cm-1. The disappearance of high molecular weight bands in the SDS-PAGE analysis also confirmed the hydrolysis of collagen. After the hydrolysis, the collagen presented reduced viscosity, the capacity to form foam, and foam stability. The emulsifying activity index was high in the hydrolysates in relation to the crude collagen. Thus, the use of Alcalase® and Flavourzyme® to obtain hydrolysates from collagen derived from chicken MSM residue was shown to be viable, and potentially useful for industrial applications.

Abstract In this work, a simple and fast method is proposed for the determination of ethanol in homeopathic medicines using thermal infrared enthalpimetry (TIE). Samples containing alcohol in a wide concentration range (from 5% to 95% v/v) were used. Purified water or absolute ethanol was added directly into homeopathic medicine and increase of temperature was monitored using an infrared camera. Total volume, stirring speed and dispensing rate of solutions were the most significant parameters studied for method optimization. A response surface methodology (RSM) was used for optimization of the experimental conditions. The method was validated in the following parameters: selectivity, linearity, linear range, precision (repeatability and intermediate precision), limit of detection and quantification, accuracy and robustness. Linear range was obtained from 4% to 55% (ethanol, v/v). The proposed method showed accuracy in agreement with the conventional one. The proposed method it was demonstrated a good alternative for determination of ethanol in homeopathic medicines, presenting low cost, fast analysis and agreement with the principles of green analytical chemistry.

RESUMO Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito dos níveis de caroço de algodão (0; 100; 200; 300 e 400 g Kg-1) na terminação de cordeiros sobre os parâmetros físicos e químicos da carne. Utilizou-se 45 cordeiros, machos, não castrados, distribuídos ao acaso em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com cinco tratamentos e nove repetições cada. Os valores de pH, não foram influenciados pelos níveis de caroço de algodão. Os teores de lipídios e cinzas apresentaram diferença significativa, mas não foram ajustados pelas equações lineares ou quadráticas. As variáveis perdas por descongelamento e coesividade aumentaram, e a atividade de água e capacidade de retenção de água diminuíram com o incremento de caroço de algodão na dieta. Já os tocoferóis, perdas por cocção, dureza e mastigabilidade foram ajustados através de equações quadráticas. Na avaliação instrumental de cor o L*, b* e h° demonstraram comportamento linear crescente. Logo a inclusão de até 400 g de caroço de algodão na dieta influencia a composição físico-química e na cor da carne produzida.

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of cottonseed (0, 100, 200, 300 and 400 g Kg-1) on the physical and chemical parameters of the meat of finishing lambs. Forty-five uncastrated male lambs were distributed in a completely randomised design with five treatments of nine replications. The pH values were not influenced by the levels of cottonseed. The lipid and ash content showed significant differences, but were not adjusted by the linear or quadratic equations. Losses during thawing increased, as did cohesiveness, and water activity and water retention capacity decreased as the levels of cottonseed in the diet rose. Tocopherols, cooking loss, toughness and chewiness were adjusted using quadratic equations. In the instrumental colour evaluation, L*, b* and h° showed increasing linear behaviour. The inclusion of up to 400 g of cottonseed in the diet affects the physical-chemical composition and the colour of the produced meat.

ABSTRACT. The aim was to evaluate the proximate food composition, cholesterol content, coloring and economic aspects of the main nutrients present in by-products from the slaughter of cattle. The samples were collected from 14 organs, with four repetitions each, of which we conducted the analyses of moisture, crude protein, mineral matter, cholesterol and fat content. The color was measured through the coordinates L*, a*, b*. The differences between the groups of red and white viscera were evaluated by contrasts analysis. Subsequently, the data were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance, which was complemented by the principal component technique. In the analysis of contrast between red and white viscera, the results showed that the components with the highest content of total fat does not necessarily have the highest content of cholesterol and vice-versa. For minerals, the red viscera presented higher content than white viscera and, in order to analyze the protein composition, there was less variability for red viscera in relation to white viscera. In the color analysis, the values for the color readings indicated uniformity between the external and internal readings, except for the tongue. On mean, the proximate composition values for the offals are similar to the values for beef, especially regarding the red viscera.

Abstract This study aimed at evaluating the functional (antioxidant and antimicrobial activity) and structural properties of different bovine collagen hydrolysates obtained through ultrasound assisted enzymatic hydrolysis (Flavourzyme®). The use of previous or simultaneous ultrasound strengthened the enzymatic hydrolysis of bovine collagen samples, generating higher number of bands in wave number (cm-1). The best treatment was the enzymatic hydrolysis, while for the powder fiber and hydrolysate, it was the ultrasound hydrolysis. The sample that showed the highest inhibiting action to the gram-negative bacteria Salmonella choleraesuis growth and gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus hydrolyzed with enzyme and simultaneous ultrasound. Therefore, the enzymatic hydrolysis (Flavourzyme®) was concluded to enable the hydrolysis of samples, providing structural rupture and better functionality to the different bovine collagen hydrolysates.

RESUMO: Foram avaliados os efeitos da hidrólise enzimática (pepsina) assistida com ou sem ultrassom nas propriedades funcionais de hidrolisados de diferentes colágenos. Foi analisado o grau de hidrólise, a atividade antioxidante (DPPH) e a atividade antimicrobiana (MIC). O tratamento que possibilitou maior atividade antioxidante para a amostra fibra foi com a utilização de 4% de enzima e ultrassom concomitante (40,7%), levando a um grau de hidrólise de 21,7%. Para a amostra fibra pó o tratamento de hidrólise com uso de 4% de enzima resultou em menor teor de proteína (6,97mg/mL), maior grau de hidrólise (19,9%) e maior atividade antioxidante (38,6%). Os hidrolisados mostraram capacidade inibitória contra a bactéria gram-negativa Salmonella choleraesuis e gram-positiva Staphylococcus aureus. Pode-se concluir que a hidrólise enzimática concomitante, ou não, ao uso do ultrassom apresentou aumento da funcionalidade das amostras fibra e fibra pó. Para as demais amostras, sua utilização como tratamento complementar, a hidrólise não foi interessante, devido aos piores resultados de atividade antioxidante (DPPH) encontrados. Porém, proporcionou maior grau de hidrólise.

ABSTRACT: Enzymatic hydrolysis (pepsin) assisted with or without ultrasound in the functional properties of hydrolyzates from different collagens were analyzed. Degree of hydrolysis, antioxidant activity (DPPH) and antimicrobial activity (MIC) were assessed. The treatment that resulted in greater antioxidant activity for the fiber sample was with the use of 4% of enzyme and concomitant ultrasound (40.7%), leading to a degree of hydrolysis of 21.7%. For the powdered fiber sample the hydrolysis treatment with use of 4% of enzyme resulted in lower protein content (6.97mg/mL), higher degree of hydrolysis (19.9%) and greater antioxidant activity (38.6%). The hydrolyzates showed inhibitory capacity against gram-negative bacteria Salmonella choleraesuis and gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It can be concluded that enzymatic hydrolysis concomitant or not with the use of ultrasound increased the functionality of the fiber and powdered fiber samples, for the other samples its use as supplementary treatment was not productive, due to the worse results of antioxidant activity (DPPH) reported. However, it provided greater hydrolysis degree.

RESUMO: A cadeia produtiva brasileira de leite possui expressiva heterogeneidade de sistemas de produção em todas as unidades federativas. Assim, objetivou-se formar grupos homogêneos de unidades de produção de leite bovino através de técnicas estatísticas multivariadas, com base na qualidade química e microbiológica do leite. Foram utilizadas 1.541 unidades produtoras de leite (UPL), totalizando 44.089 amostras analisadas. Os três primeiros componentes principais explicaram 81,38% da variação total dos dados. O componente principal 1 associou-se à qualidade química do leite (gordura, proteína e extrato seco total), enquanto os componentes principais 2 e 3 com a qualidade microbiológica (contagem de células somáticas e contagem bacteriana total). Com a análise conjunta das três projeções bidimensionais, caracterizaram-se os distintos estratos produtivos quanto aos seus atributos de qualidade e identificaram-se os pontos positivos/negativos das características microbiológicas do leite de cada um dos grupos de produção. Assim, obteve-se uma redução da dimensionalidade do conjunto de 1.541UPL em 15 grupos de produção homogêneos, otimizando a utilização da base de informações mensais das indústrias lácteas, e caracterizando a totalidade das heterogeneidades presentes em sistemas de produção leiteiros.

ABSTRACT: Milk supply chain in Brazil exhibits significant production system heterogeneity in all federal units. Thus, the objective of this study was to form homogeneous groups of bovine milk production units based on the chemical and microbiological quality of the milk via multivariate statistical techniques. A total of 1,541 milk producing units (MPUs), corresponding to 44,089 samples, were analyzed. The first three principal components accounted for 81.38% of the total variation in the data. Principal component 1 (PC1) was associated with the chemical quality of milk (fat, protein [PROT] and total dry extract [TDE] content), while PC2 and PC3 were associated with microbiological quality (somatic cell count [SCC] and total bacterial count [TBC]). The concurrent analysis of the two two-dimensional projections characterized the different productive strata by their quality attributes and identified the positive/negative points of milk microbiological characteristics in each production group. Thus, the dimensionality of the set of 1,541 MPUs was reduced to 15 homogeneous production groups. This method optimizes the use of the dairy industry monthly database and characterizes all the heterogeneities present in dairy production systems.

A gordura intramuscular (GIM) influencia importantes características qualitativas da carne, tais como: sabor, suculência, palatabilidade, odor e maciez. Assim, objetivou-se aplicar diferentes técnicas de processamento de imagem para quantificar a GIM na carne bovina: paleta, amostragem, intervalo de coordenadas, limiar de preto e branco e função discriminante de cores. Foram utilizadas 35 amostras de bifes com uma ampla gama de GIM. Foram capturadas imagens coloridas das amostras de carne de diferentes músculos com uma variabilidade no conteúdo de GIM. A gordura intramuscular da secção transversal e fina de carne foi determinada por extração química dos lipídios e predita por análise de imagem. O método químico foi comparado com a análise de imagem. Os procedimentos de segmentação foram validados pelo ajustamento de uma equação de regressão linear na série de valores observados e preditos e os parâmetros da regressão avaliados pelo teste F. O poder preditivo destas aproximações também foi comparado por meio de análise residual e pela decomposição do quadrado médio dos desvios. Os resultados mostraram que a função discriminante foi o melhor método de segmentação da cor para mensurar a gordura intramuscular via imagem digital, mas necessita de ajustes no padrão de predição.

Intramuscular fat (IMF) influences important quality characteristics of meat, such as flavor, juiciness, palatability, odor and tenderness. Thus, the objective of this study was to apply the following image processing techniques to quantify the IMF in beef: palette; sampling, interval of coordinates; black and white threshold; and discriminant function of colors. Thirty-five samples of beef, with a wide range of IMF, were used. Color images were taken of the meat samples from different muscles, with variability in the IMF content. The IMF of a thin cross-section meat was determined by chemical lipid extraction and was predicted by image analysis. The chemical method was compared with the image analysis. The segmentation procedures were validated by the adjustment of a linear regression equation to the series of values that were observed and predicted, as well as the regression parameters evaluated by the F-test. The predictive power of these approaches was also compared by residual analysis and by the decomposition of the mean square deviations. The results showed that the discriminant function was the best color segmentation method to measure intramuscular fat via digital images, but required adjustments in the prediction pattern.

Objetivou-se identificar o modelo de regressão não linear mais adequado para descrever a curva de crescimento de quatro linhagens de frangos caipira e compará-las entre as linhagens. Foram utilizadas 100 aves, sendo 13 machos e 12 fêmeas de cada uma das linhagens. Foram testados 13 modelos de regressão não linear e, após a seleção do melhor modelo, foi verificada a igualdade de parâmetros e identidade de modelos não lineares. O peso médio aos 77 dias de idade foi de 3.017, 2.781, 2.724 e 2.587kg para a Pesadão, Mista, Carijó e Pescoço Pelado, respectivamente. O modelo Quadrático Logarítmico apresentou melhor ajuste dos dados para as linhagens Pesadão, Carijó e Mista, segundo o quadrado médio do resíduo e desvio médio absoluto. Para a linhagem Pescoço Pelado, os critérios estatísticos apontaram como mais adequado o modelo Polinomial Inverso, seguido do Quadrático Logarítmico. As curvas de crescimento entre machos e entre fêmeas das linhagens foram diferentes, assim, como as curvas de crescimento de machos e fêmeas dentro de linhagens. A divergência entre as classes avaliadas foi atribuída à taxa de decréscimo de peso, parâmetro c do modelo Quadrático Logarítmico. O modelo Quadrático Logarítmico pode ser utilizado para descrever a curva de crescimento das quatro linhagens. A linhagem Pesadão tem o crescimento mais acelerado e a linhagem Pescoço Pelado tem o crescimento mais lento. A partir do 35o dia de idade, sugere-se o ajuste do manejo nutricional para alterar a curva de crescimento e atender a legislação vigente e o mercado consumidor.

This study aimed to identify the nonlinear regression model more adequate to describe and compare the growth curve of four strains of broiler chickens. One hundred birds were used, 13 males and 12 females from each strains. There were tested 13 models of nonlinear regression and after that the best model was used to test the parameters equality and the models identity. The average weight at 77 days of age was 3.017, 2.781, 2.724 and 2.587kg to the strains Hulking, Mixed, Carijó and Naked Neck, respectively. The Quadratic Logarithmic model showed better fit the data from Hulking, Carijó and Mixed strains, according to the mean square and mean absolute deviation tests. To the Naked Neck line the statistical criteria showed as more suitable the Inverse Polynomial model followed by the Quadratic Logarithmic. The males and females growth curves were different between and within the strains. The divergence between the evaluated classes was attributed to the decrease of weight rate, c parameter of Quadratic Logarithmic model. Quadratic Logarithmic model could be used to describe the growth curve of the four strains. The Hulking strain presented the faster and the Naked Neck strain presented the slowest growth. The feed system with the objective of change the growth curve must be adopted by the 35th day of age, to attend the current legislation and the consumer market.

Objetivou-se avaliar as correlações entre contagem de células somáticas (CCS) e os constituintes do leite e verificar as associações das condições ambientais com a CCS. Os dados utilizados foram de 1.541 unidades produtoras de leite referentes a 15 municípios da bacia leiteira do Vale do Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul. Foram tabulados os dados de CCS, contagem bacteriana total (CBT) e composição centesimal do leite, referentes ao período de junho de 2008 a dezembro de 2011, totalizando 44.089 amostras analisadas. A temperatura ambiente apresentou correlação positiva e significativa com a CCS, enquanto a precipitação pluviométrica e a umidade relativa do ar, ausência de correlação. Os teores de gordura, proteína, minerais e sólidos totais foram diretamente correlacionados com a CCS, enquanto que os sólidos não gordurosos e a lactose apresentaram comportamento inverso. Através da análise de componentes principais (ACP), auxiliada pelo método hierárquico aglomerativo de agrupamento, os sete tratamentos presentes no estudo foram reduzidos a cinco grupos de acordo com a similaridade, permitindo constatar que amostras com CCS superiores a 400.000 até 750.000 céls mL-1, apresentam a mesma qualidade, não justificando a estratificação de intervalos nesta amplitude de variação.

The study aimed to evaluate the correlations between somatic cell count (SCC) and milk components, and verify the associations of environmental conditions with SCC. Data were obtained from 1,541 dairy farms located in 15 municipalities in the dairy region of Vale do Taquari, Rio Grande do Sul. The data from SCC, total bacterial count (TBC) and milk composition, from June 2008 to December 2011, were tabulated, totaling 44,089 samples. The environment temperature showed positive and significant correlation with the somatic cell score, while rainfall and air relative humidity showed no correlation. The fat, protein, minerals and total solids were directly correlated with the SCC, while non-fat-solids and lactose showed an opposite behavior. By the principal component analysis (PCA) followed by the agglomerative hierarchical clustering method, the seven treatments in the present study were reduced to five groups according to the similarity, showing that milk with SCC above 400,000 to 750,000 cels mL-1 present the same quality, not justifying the interval stratification within this range of variation.

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do manejo para crescimento compensatório e da suplementação com ionóforo sobre o perfil metabólico e o crescimento da glândula mamária de novilhas leiteiras. Foram utilizadas 20 novilhas Pardo-Suíças puras, com peso inicial de 200 kg e 5 meses de idade. Os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial 2 × 2 e os animais foram alocados aleatoriamente em cada uma das combinações. O fator 1 consistiu dos sistemas de alimentação (convencional e crescimento compensatório) e o fator 2, da utilização ou não de ionóforo (200 mg de monensina/animal/dia). Os animais do sistema convencional receberam alimentação ad libitum, enquanto os do sistema para crescimento compensatório foram submetidos a um manejo nutricional com dois períodos distintos: período de restrição energética (90 dias, P1) e período de realimentação (60 dias, P2). Novilhas submetidas ao sistema crescimento compensatório apresentaram maior concentração de nitrogênio ureico (N-ureico) plasmático e menor razão DNA:RNA no tecido mamário. Quando analisados dentro de período, os níveis de lipoproteínas de alta densidade (HDL) aumentaram no período de realimentação, enquanto os de N-ureico diminuíram. Além da alteração nos níveis de N-ureico, o balanço energético ao qual as novilhas em crescimento compensatório foram submetidas ocasionou aumento no teor dos ácidos graxos não-esterificados. Houve redução nos níveis de glicose sanguínea dos animais em crescimento compensatório no período de realimentação. A suplementação com ionóforo proporciona menor concentração de ácidos graxos não-esterificados durante o período de realimentação.

The objective of this trial was to compare the effect of compensatory growth regime on the metabolic profile and mammary gland development of dairy heifers. Twenty Brown-Swiss heifers averaging 200 kg of body weight and five months of age were used in a completely randomized design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The treatments were arranged in a factorial arrangement (2 × 2) and the animals were randomly allocated in each one of the combinations. The factor 1 consisted of the feeding regime (conventional and compensatory growth) and the factor 2, of the use or not of ionophore (200 mg of monensin/animal/day). The animals in the conventional regime received ad libitum feeding, while those in the compensatory growth regime were submitted to a nutritional management with two different periods: period of energy restriction (90 days) and realimentation period (60 days). Heifers submitted to the compensatory growth regime showed larger concentration of plasma urea nitrogen and lower DNA:RNA ratio in the mammary gland. When period was analyzed, the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) increased in the realimentation period, while the urea N decreased. In addition to the alteration in the levels of urea N, the energy balance to which the heifers in compensatory growth were submitted increased the non-esterified fatty acids. Blood glucose levels reduced in the animals in compensatory growth during the realimentation period. Supplementation with ionophore results in lower concentration of non-esterified fatty acids during the realimentation period.

Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência bionutricional de tourinhos mestiços F1 Red Angus × Nelore (½ RA ½ N) e F1 Blonde D'Aquitane × Nelore (½ BA ½ N) terminados em confinamento e abatidos com 480, 520 e 560 kg de peso corporal. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 2 × 3 (grupo genético × peso de abate) com seis repetições. Os tourinhos ½ BA ½ N tiveram maior gordura renal, pélvica e inguinal (GRPI, kg e % PV); e menor índice nutricional multivariado biológico (INMB) e consumo alimentar residual em comparação aos tourinhos ½ RA ½ N. Os tourinhos abatidos com maior peso apresentaram maior área de olho-de-lombo (cm²), espessura de gordura subcutânea, gordura de cobertura na garupa, GRPI (kg e % PV), consumo de matéria seca (CMS, kg/d), consumo de energia líquida (MJ/d) e proteína metabolizável (g/dia), e INMB em relação aos abatidos mais leves. Além disso, os tourinhos ½ BA ½ N abatidos com 480 kg tiveram a menor conversão alimentar. Por outro lado, o ganho médio diário de peso (kg/dia), o consumo de matéria seca (% PV e g/UTM), a eficiência alimentar e a relação de Kleiber não diferiram entre os grupos genéticos, os pesos de abate e a interação grupo genético versus peso de abate. Tourinhos F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nelore e os animais abatidos mais leves são bionutricionalmente mais eficientes na fase de terminação em confinamento.

The objective of this study was to assess the bionutritional efficiency of crossbred F1 Red Angus × Nellore (½ RA ½ N) and F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nellore (½ BA ½ N) young bulls finished on feedlot and slaughtered at 480, 520 and 560 kg body weight. A completely randomized experimental design in a 2 × 3 (genetic group × slaughter weight) factorial arrangement with six replicates was used. The ½ BA ½ N young bulls showed higher kidney, pelvic and inguinal fat (KPIF, kg and % BW) and lower multivariate biological nutritional index (MBNI) and residual feed intake than ½ RA ½ N young bulls. The young bulls slaughtered at heavier weight had larger ribeye area (cm²), fat thickness over the 12-13th rib, fat thickness over the rump, KPIF (kg and % BW), dry matter intake (DMI, kg/d), net energy intake (MJ/d) and metabolizable protein intake (g/d), and MBNI compared to young bulls slaughtered at lighter weight. Furthermore, the ½ BA ½ N young bulls slaughtered at 480 kg had lower feed conversion than the others. On the other hand, the average daily weight gain (kg/d), DMI (% BW and g/BW0.75), feed efficiency and Kleiber ratio did not differ between genetic group, slaughter weight and genetic group versus slaughter weight interaction. Therefore, crossbred F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nellore young bulls and animals slaughtered at lighter weights are more bionutritionally efficient in the finishing phase on feedlot.

Objetivou-se verificar a economicidade da fase de terminação em confinamento de tourinhos mestiços F1 Red Angus × Nelore (½ RA ½ N) e F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nelore (½ BA ½ N) abatidos com 480, 520 e 560 kg de peso corporal. Trinta e seis bovinos mestiços F1, tourinhos, com 20 meses de idade média inicial: 18 ½ RA ½ N e 18 ½ BA ½ N foram distribuídos a um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado em arranjo fatorial 2 × 3 (grupos genético × peso de abate), com seis repetições. Os tourinhos ½ BA ½ N abatidos com 480 kg apresentaram maior ganho de carcaça (kg/dia), eficiência alimentar, valor de produção (R$/dia), saldo de alimentação (R$/dia), custo de nivelamento da dieta (@/t MS) e relação benefício:custo. O rendimento de carcaça dos tourinhos ½ BA ½ N foi maior que o dos tourinhos ½ RA ½ N. À medida que se elevou o peso de abate, o rendimento de carcaça, a conversão alimentar, o custo de alimentação (R$/@ e R$/dia) e o ponto de nivelamento da dieta (kg/dia) aumentaram; ao passo que o saldo de alimentação (R$/@) diminuiu. O índice nutricional multivariado bioeconômico indicou melhor associação com a rentabilidade da fase de terminação de bovinos em confinamento. A análise de sensibilidade não influenciou os resultados obtidos. O benefício foi menor que o custo de alimentação se considerada a relação de troca a partir de 4 @/t MS da dieta. Tourinhos mestiços F1 Blonde D'Aquitaine × Nelore abatidos com 480 kg de peso corporal apresentam melhor eficiência bioeconômica.

The objective in this work was to evaluate the economicity of the finishing phase on feedlot of F1 Red Angus × Nellore (½ RA ½ N) and Blond D'Aquitaine × Nellore (½ BA ½ N) crossbred young bulls slaughtered at 480, 520 and 560 kg of body weight. Thirty-six F1 crossbred young bull with 20 months of initial average age: 18 ½RA½ N and 18 ½N½ BA were allotted to a completely randomized design in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement (genetic group × slaughter weight), with six replicates. The ½ BA ½ N young bulls slaughtered at 480 kg had the highest carcass gain (kg/day), feed efficiency, gross income (R$/day), gross profit of feed (R$/day), break-even cost of the diet (@/t DM) and cost:benefit ratio. The ½ BA ½ N young bulls also had higher dressing percentage than ½ RA ½ N young bulls. As the slaughter weight rised the dressing percentage, feed:gain ratio, feed cost (R$/@ and R$/day) and break-even point (kg/day) increased; while the gross feed profit (R$/@) decreased. The bioeconomic multivariate nutritional index had better association with the profitability of the finishing phase of beef cattle on feedlot. Sensitivity analysis did not influence the results obtained. The benefit was lower than the feed cost from exchange relation of four (4) @/t DM of the diet. F1 Blond D'Aquitaine × Nellore crossbred young bulls slaughtered at 480 kg of body weight showed the best bioeconomic efficiency.