Fatty acids, cholesterol and protein content of nutria (Myocastor coypus) meat from an intensive production system in Uruguay

This study describes the total lipids, protein and fatty acids in the meat, liver, brain and adipose tissue of five male and five female nutria (Myocastor coypus). The animals were reared on a specialized farm in Uruguay. Total lipid content was between 1.41% and 1.84% in males and females. Total cholesterol content was between 70.1 mg and 72.7 mg/100 g of wet tissue. The protein content was between 19.56% and 22.34% in males and females. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were detected between males and females for total lipid, cholesterol or protein. Total, saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid values were higher (P < 0.001) in female than in male thigh muscle. Pectoral muscle had more (P < 0.05) saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in females than in males. Subcutaneous adipose tissue from females had the highest (P < 0.01) total, saturated and monounsaturated but not polyunsaturated fatty acids while abdominal adipose tissue from males had more polyunsaturated fatty.     

Efficiency and proximate composition of meat in male and female nutria (Myocastor coypus) in an extensive feeding system

The major carcass traits and chemical composition of muscle samples were evaluated in three age groups (6, 9 and 13 months) of nutria (Myocastor coypus). A total of 18 males and 18 females were weighed and slaughtered on the farm, then pelted, eviscerated and frozen. Intramuscular meat samples were taken from the loin and thigh muscles. The carcass yield (CY) was calculated and the total protein (TP), crude fat (CF) and crude ash (CA) content were determined in the laboratory on a dry matter basis. The average CY, without the head, was 53.3%, and was highest for 9-month-old animals (53.6%). In females, the average CY was slightly higher (52.9%) than for males (51.8%). The mean TP content in meat was approximately 21.7% in the loin and 21.1% in thigh muscles. The intramuscular CF content was higher in thigh samples. Older animals had a higher CF content and the CF content was lower in males than in females.     

The influence of dietary protein on market barrows and gilts supplemented creatine monohydrate in conjunction with a high glycemic carbohydrate

The objective of the study was to determine if additional dietary protein improves the lean tissue deposition and carcass merit of pigs supplemented creatine monohydrate in combination with a high glycemic carbohydrate (dextrose). Forty-eight crossbred barrows and gilts (91±0.18 kg) were blocked by sex assigned to 1 of 12 pens (4 pigs/pen, 16 pigs/treatment). Treatments included: control (CON; basal diet consisting of a ground corn-soybean base), combination diet (COMBO; basal diet supplemented with 0.92% creatine monohydrate and 2.75% dextrose), and a combination high protein diet (COMBOHP; COMBO formulated to contain a minimum of 16% crude protein). Barrows on the COMBOHP gained the least 10th rib fat and expressed the highest percentage fat-free carcass lean (P<0.01) after 28 days on test. No significant treatment differences were noted in the fat and lean tissue accretion of gilts. Treatments had no affect the meat quality parameters of barrow and gilt carcasses.     

Inter-animal variation in the biological characteristics of muscle tissue in male limousin cattle

The biochemical, metabolic and contractile characteristics of semitendinosus (ST) and longissimus thoracicus (LT) muscles were studied in 147 male Limousin cattle. The animals, which were slaughtered at 16 months, were the offspring of 15 different sires. Weight gain and carcass tissue composition (proportion of muscle and adipose tissue) were also measured. The biochemical characteristics of the two muscles studied had coefficients of variation between 13 and 30% markedly higher than for proximate characteristics of the carcass, in which coefficients were all lower than 18%. There were significant differences between the two muscles: ST had a higher protein/DNA ratio and greater lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity than LT, also a lower isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) activity and lower slow myosin heavy chain (MHCI) content. The percentage of MHC 1 was positively correlated with ICDH activity and negatively with LDH activity and protein/DNA ratio. These muscle characteristics were also correlated with weight gain: animals with greater weight gain had a higher protein/DNA ratio and lower oxidative activity, with differences in the level of significance of the correlations according to muscles. Selection of animals on the basis of muscle growth may therefore be a means of improving the quality of meat.     

Production results,serum cholesterol concentration and carcass composition of broiler chickens fed diets based on bran or inner endosperm from oats with and without enzyme supplementation

Broiler chickens were fed diets based on bran or inner endosperm from oats (Avena sativa L), given with or without a supplementary fibre-degrading enzyme, in order to study the effects of the dietary fibre on production results, carcass composition and serum cholesterol concentration. Enzyme supplementation of the oat-bran-based diet significantly improved production results and caused an increase in total serum cholesterol concentration and carcass fat whereas carcass crude protein and water content decreased. On enzyme supplementation of the diet based on inner endosperm, a significant although less pronounced improvement in production results was obtained. Chickens fed the inner endosperm diet generally had higher total serum cholesterol concentrations which increased further on enzyme supplementation. Carcass fat content also increased on enzyme supplementation, and at day 27 chickens fed the enzyme-supplemented diet based on inner endosperm had the highest carcass fat content in comparison with all other diets. The results show that dietary fibre exerts a greater influence on total serum cholesterol concentration than energy or fat intake since chickens fed the enzyme-supplemented oat-bran diet had the highest intake of metabolisable energy and fat but still displayed lower total serum cholesterol concentrations than chickens fed the enzyme-supplemented low fibre diet based on inner endosperm.     

Effect of the type of diet on muscle characteristics and meat palatability of growing Salers bulls

The effect of the type of diet (hay vs grass silage) on body composition and characteristics and palatability of semitendinosus (ST) and longissimus thoracis (LT) muscles of 16 month old Salers bulls fed at the same energy levels were studied. Animals fed hay had a lower daily weight gain and carcass weight and were leaner. There were no significant differences in the proportions of fibre types in the ST or LT due to diet. ST muscle of hay fed animals had a lower oxidative metabolism, but contained similar amounts of total and type I collagen and greater amounts, and proportions of soluble collagen and of type III collagen, than those of animals fed grass silage. ST muscles of hay-fed animals were more tender than those of silage-fed animals.     

Physical and Compositional Characteristics of Beef Carcasses Selected for Leanness

Ten muscles and muscle groups were excised from each of eight typical (average yield grade 2.99) and eight lean (average yield grade 1.73) steer carcasses and analyzed to determine differences between carcass types. Lean carcasses (raw basis) were higher (P<0.05) in moisture and protein and lower (P<0.05) in fat, cholesterol and calories in comparison to typical carcasses. Typical carcasses (cooked basis) were higher (P<0.05) in fat and caloric content than lean carcasses. No differences (P>0.05) were found between carcass types (cooked basis) for moisture, protein, cholesterol, dry matter cholesterol, cooking loss or shear force value. Semitendinosus muscles from typical carcasses were rated higher (P<0.05) for juiciness and tenderness than from lean carcasses. Differences (P<0.05) were found among muscles for all traits measured.     

Therapeutic effect of lipids from the Far Eastern sardine (Sardinops sagax melanostica) in experimental hypercholesterolemia in rats

Hypercholesterolemia was experimentally induced in rats which received diets with a high fat content (66% calories) and cholesterol loading (2.5% of ration). The therapeutic effect of lipids isolated from quick-frozen Far East sardines was tested on rats given 500 mg lipids daily. The content of the blood serum lipid fractions in the test animals decreased under the action of the sardines' lipids: the total cholesterol level dropped by 23%, beta-lipoprotein cholesterol by 29%, triglycerides by 15%; the content of beta-lipoproteins became normal. The blood coagulation time was diminished in rats receiving diets with a high content of fat and cholesterol, as compared to that in control animals; and it increased under the action of sardines' lipids. A conclusion has been made on the hypolipidemic property of Far East sardines' lipids that produce a therapeutic effect on the blood lipid metabolism in animals.     

Fish protein decreases serum cholesterol in rats by inhibition of cholesterol and bile acid absorption

Fish protein has been shown to decrease serum cholesterol content by inhibiting absorption of cholesterol and bile acid in laboratory animals, though the mechanism underlying this effect is not yet fully understood. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the mechanism underlying the inhibition of cholesterol and bile acid absorption following fish protein intake. Male Wistar rats were divided into 2 dietary groups of 7 rats each, 1 group receiving a diet consisting of 20% casein and the other receiving a diet consisting of 10% casein and 10% fish protein. Both experimental diets also contained 0.5% cholesterol and 0.1% sodium cholate. After the rats had been on their respective diets for 4 wk, their serum and liver cholesterol contents and fecal cholesterol, bile acid, and nitrogen excretion contents were measured. Fish protein consumption decreased serum and liver cholesterol content and increased fecal cholesterol and bile acid excretion and simultaneously increased fecal nitrogen excretion. In addition, fish protein hydrolyzate prepared by in vitro digestion had lower micellar solubility of cholesterol and higher binding capacity for bile acids compared with casein hydrolyzate. These results suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effect of fish protein is mediated by increased fecal cholesterol and bile acid excretion, which is due to the digestion products of fish protein having reduced micellar solubility of cholesterol and increased bile acid binding capacity.     

Carcass fat partitioning and meat quality of Alentejana and Barrosã young bulls fed high or low maize silage diets

This study assessed the effect of breed and diet on carcass composition, particularly fat partitioning, and meat quality in young bulls. An experiment with forty young bulls from two phylogenetically distant Portuguese bovine breeds, Alentejana and Barrosã, fed two diets with different maize silage to concentrate ratios, but isoenergetic and isonitrogenous, was carried out until the animals reached 18 months of age. In the longissimus lumborum muscle, Barrosã bulls fed the low silage diet had the highest intramuscular fat (IMF) content. Bulls fed the low silage diet also had the highest IMF content in the semitendinosus muscle. Diet determined the proportions of total visceral fat and individual fat depots. Under these experimental conditions, it was shown that the genetic background is a major determinant of carcass composition and meat quality, and that the dietary differences studied had limited effect on carcass composition.     

Effect of dietary high-oleic sunflower oil on pork carcass traits and fatty acid profiles of raw tissues

Ten gilts were randomly assigned to either a control sorghum-soybean diet or a similar diet containing 12% high-oleic sunflower oil (HOSO). No significant differences between the two groups were found in feedlot performance, carcass muscling and marbling score, but animals fed the HOSO diet had softer carcass fat and oilier carcasses than those fed the control diet. The ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids (M/S) for subcutaneous fat increased from 1·58 in the control group to 3·76 in the HOSO group (138% increase); the M/S ratio for muscles (longissimus dorsi, semimembranosus and semitendinosus) increased from 0·96–1·19 to 1·84–1·88 (73% increase on an average). The percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids in both adipose or muscle tissue was generally similar between the two diet treatments.     

Effect of a high linoleic acid diet on lipogenic enzyme activities and on the composition of the lipid fraction of fat and lean tissues in the pig

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of a high linoleic acid diet on lipogenic enzyme activities in pig tissues and on the dietetic quality of these tissues (subcutaneous adipose tissue, Semimembranosus and Diaphragma muscles). Pigs were fed diet M containing 4% of maize oil or diet T containing 4% of tallow from 40 to 100 kg live weight. We did not observe any differences in growth or slaughter performances that could be attributed to diet. Lipogenic enzyme activities were higher in the adipose tissue of pigs fed diet M. However, diet had no effect on lipogenesis in the muscles. The lipid, linoleic acid, and cholesterol contents were higher in the adipose tissue of pigs fed diet M whereas the oleic acid concentration of the adipose tissue was lower. No significant increase in the lipid content of either muscle was however observed in pigs fed diet M. The linoleic acid and cholesterol contents were higher in both muscles of pigs fed diet M than in muscles of pigs fed diet T.     

Effects of varying dietary undegradable protein on dry matter intake, growth, and carcass composition of Holstein calves.

The objective was to study the effect of feeding diets varying in rumen undegradable protein on DMI, growth, feed efficiency, and carcass composition in Holstein calves from birth to 25 wk of age. Sixty Holstein calves were assigned in a randomized complete block design to one of three dietary treatment groups that differed in rumen undegradable protein as a percentage of total protein. Protein undegradabilities of the TMR fed for ad libitum intake for period 1 (wk 1 to 12 of age) were 33, 37, and 46% and for period 2 (wk 14 to 25 of age) were 30, 34, and 38%. Intake was not different among diets during period 1. During period 2, animals fed the highest and lowest levels of undegradable protein diet consumed less DM, and those animals on the highest undegradable diet had the least amount of crude protein intake. Feed efficiency was increased with increasing rumen undegradable protein for period 2. Carcass composition was not affected by dietary treatment for either 9-10-11 rib section or the half carcass. Prediction equations for carcass protein and fat were calculated for 25-wk Holstein calves using urea space and live weight. These results indicate that the amount of undegradable intake protein currently recommended for growing dairy replacements may not be justified when intake is ad libitum. In the present study, urea space was not found to be beneficial over live weight for predicting carcass protein and fat in intact male or female Holstein calves.     

Feeding Iberian pigs with acorns and grass in either free-range or confinement affects the carcass characteristics and fatty acids and tocopherols accumulation in Longissimus dorsi muscle and backfat

The experiment was undertaken to provide information on the influence of grass intake in a high fat diet based on acorns, in either free-range or confinement, on the carcass yield and characteristics, and on the accumulation of fatty acids and tocopherols. Groups raised free-range or with acorns and grass in confinement had the highest total backfat. Grass addition to the feed did not significantly modify the carcass weight and cut yield. However, outdoor raising produced lower carcass weights and yield, Longissimus dorsi muscle and ham weights than those fed the formulated diet or acorns and grass in confinement. Neither grass intake nor outdoor rearing did modify significantly the proportion of saturated fatty acids of the backfat. However, a lower proportion of saturated fatty acids was found in the intramuscular neutral lipids from pigs fed outdoors. Pigs reared free-range had significantly (P=0.0001) higher proportions of C18:1n-9 in the inner layer and in the intramuscular neutral lipids than the other groups. The grass intake significantly (P=0.0001) increased the proportion of C18:3n-3 in the inner and outer fat layers and intramuscular neutral lipids, while the outdoor rearing system not only affected on the proportion of linolenic acid but also C22:5 and C22:6 of the inner backfat layer and intramuscular polar lipids. These results suggest that the outdoor rearing allows a higher accumulation of n-3 fatty acids maybe due to an increased activity of the desaturase and elongase enzymes. On the other hand, the accumulation of tocopherols was not significantly modified neither by the grass intake nor the outdoor rearing, while differences were detected by the type of feeding (diet vs. acorns/acorns and grass). It is concluded, that the outdoor rearing system affects the nutritional value of meat, mainly by improving the fatty acid composition.     

Effect of feeding restricted amounts of a medium and a high protein diet during the finishing period on growth,fat deposition and feed efficiency of male and female broilers

An experiment is described in which male and female broilers were fed either a 20 or a 23% crude protein diet, at 4 levels of intake—ad libitum and about 96, 92 and 87% of ad libitum—from 35 to 56 or 60 days of age. Males ate more, grew faster and converted food to body weight more efficiently than females. Male carcasses were significantly leaner than female carcasses at market age. On average, birds fed the high-protein diet ate a similar amount of food, grew at a slightly slower rate and converted food to body weight significantly less efficiently than birds fed the medium-protein diet. Carcass dry matter of birds fed the high-protein diet contained only about two percentage points less ether extract than that of those fed the medium protein diet. Growth rate and feed efficiency in the 35- to 56-day period decreased as the feed allowance was reduced. Groups fed the lowest level of food intake were kept until 60 days of age, when live weight was similar but carcasses were somewhat leaner than those of ad libitum groups at 56 days. In spite of the similarity in final live weight and lower body fat content, food conversion in the 35- to 60-day period for birds fed the lowest level of food intake was less efficient than that for ad libitum groups in the shorter 35- to 56-day period.     

Lipid composition and nutritional quality of intramuscular fat in Charneca-PDO beef

This paper characterizes the intramuscular fat from longissimus lumborum (LL, relatively red) and semitendinous (ST, relatively white) muscles of Charneca beef from young bulls reared according to the protected designation of origin (PDO) specifications. The content of total lipids, total cholesterol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene, as well as the fatty acid composition, including the isomeric distribution of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), was assessed. Charneca young bulls (n = 10) were raised on a semi-extensive production system, in which animals fed pasture plus concentrate during 15 months. The ST muscle was leaner and had higher percentages of PUFA, in contrast to the LL muscle, which presented higher percentages of SFA and MUFA. Thus, the ST muscle had a higher PUFA/SFA ratio than the LL muscle, although the ratio values of both muscles were inside the recommended figures for the human diet. In contrast, the contents of CLA isomers, total cholesterol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene, as well as the n-6/n-3 ratio, were not influenced by muscle type, thus suggesting no carcass variation for these compounds. In both muscles, the n-6/n-3 ratios were slightly above the dietary guideline for human diet, and the contents of α-tocopherol were very high, indicating a good lipid stability of Charneca-PDO beef. Overall, the results suggest that intramuscular fat of Charneca-PDO beef has good human health–related parameters, with small carcass variation, since the PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratio values are inside or very close to the recommended figures for the human diet, and the content of α-tocopherol is very high.     

Hypocholesterolemic effects of low calorie structured lipids on rats and rabbits fed on normal and atherogenic diet

The hypocholesterolemic effects of two low calorie structured lipids (SL1 and SL2) containing essential fatty acids, prepared by lipase catalysed interesterification of ethyl behenate respectively with sunflower and soybean oils were studied in rats and rabbits. The feeding experiment conducted on rats as well as rabbits, fed on normal and atherogenic diet containing 10% of SL1 and SL2 (experimental) and sunflower oil (control) indicated no adverse effects on growth and food intake. However, the structured lipids beneficially lowered serum and liver lipids, particularly cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and also maintains the essential fatty acid status in serum and liver. The lipid deposition observed in the arteries of rabbits fed on atherogenic diets was significantly reduced when structured lipids were included in the diet. These observations coincided with reduced levels of serum cholesterol particularly LDL cholesterol observed in experimental groups. Therefore the structured lipids, designed to have low calorific value also beneficially lower serum lipids and lipid deposition in animals fed on atherogenic diets.     

Effects of Gedi Leaves (Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik) as a Herbal Plant Rich in Mucilages on Blood Lipid Profiles and Carcass Quality of Broiler Chickens as Functional Food

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of gedi leaves (Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik) on blood lipid profiles and carcass quality of broilers. A hundred chickens were allocated to four diet treatments, with 5 replications. The diets were basal diet (R0), 5% GLM (R1), 10% GLM (R2), and 15% GLM (R3). Treatments had no significant effect on total blood cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, significantly effect on reducing carcass weight and abdominal fat, but recorded no significantly effect on carcass percentage. It can be concluded that adding gedi leaves to broiler diets might provide benefit for functional food.     

CUTABILITY AND NUTRIENT CONTENT OF WHITETAIL DEER1

The role of game meats as a food source has been largely ignored today, but may provide the principle meat source for many individuals. Fifteen whitetail deer were completely boned to obtain lean meat. A typical skinned and dressed cold carcass yielded 72% boneless lean tissue. The average moisture, protein and fat content were 73.5, 23.6 and 1.4%, respectively. Energy value and cholesterol content was 149 kcal/100g and 116 mg/100g, respectively. Venison contained high levels of essential amino acids and was comparable to lean beef in amino acid content. Selected minerals in the longissimus muscle from 13 animals revealed large amounts (mg/g) of K, Na and P and smaller amounts (μg/g) of Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Zn.     

Dietary vitamin A concentration alters fatty acid composition in pigs

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of vitamin A concentration in the diet on fatty acid composition in pigs. One-hundred and twenty eight Duroc × (Large White × Landrace) castrated male pigs were used. Pigs were randomly distributed and located in cages of four pigs each to the following treatment: vitamin A-enriched diet (100,000IU/kg) (n=16) and control diet with a basal level (7500IU/kg) (n=16). The pigs were slaughtered at an average weight of 125.9kg. No effect of diet vitamin A level on performance, carcass traits and intramuscular fat percentage was observed. The retinol concentration in subcutaneous backfat and retinol and retinol palmitate contents in liver were higher in the pigs that were given the vitamin A enriched diet than in those receiving the control diet. However the vitamin A supplementation did not increase the retinol content in the muscle. Pigs receiving the vitamin A enriched diet showed a higher C16:0 and ∑SFA proportions in the outer layer and C18:0 and ∑SFA proportions in the inner layer. Moreover, the diet rich in vitamin A led to a reduction of C18:1 n-9 and ∑MUFA proportions in subcutaneous backfat inner layer. Dietary vitamin A concentration had not influence on main fatty acids composition of intramuscular lipids. Dietary vitamin A enrichment lead to a higher C16:0, ∑SFA concentration in liver lipids.