• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1449-1457
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• 2008

This experiment was carried out to evaluate the carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus muscle (LM) of three cattle genetic groups (Purunã, PUR, 11; 1/2 Purunã vs. 1/2 British, PUB, 6 and 1/2 Charolais vs. 1/2 Caracu, CHC, 10) finished in pasture systems. The field work took place at the Lapa Research Farm of the Agronomic Institute of Paraná, in the city of Lapa, south Brazil. The animals were fed during the winter with corn silage, cottonseed meal, cracked corn, urea, limestone and mineral salts as sources of protein, as well as an energy supplement, in pasture systems of Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. The animal groups were slaughtered at 20 months of age, at 50122.6 kg live weight. CHC bulls had higher (p<0.05) final weight than PUR and PUB bulls. Hot carcass weight was similar (p>0.10) between PUR and PUB. Hot carcass dressing percentage was higher (p<0.05) for PUB bulls than for PUR and CHC bulls. On the other hand, hot carcass dressing percentage was similar (p>0.05) between PUR and CHC bulls. Fat thickness was similar (p>0.10) among all genetic groups. However, the Longissimus area of CHC bulls was greater (p<0.05) than in PUR and PUB genetic groups. The genetic groups did not affect (p>0.10) the marbling of Longissimus. There was no observed difference (p>0.10) in moisture, ash, crude protein and total cholesterol contents among the three genetic groups. On the other hand, the total lipid percentage was higher (p<0.05) for the PUB genetic group in comparison with PUR and CHC. CLA percentage was highest for PUR animals. However, total CLA amounts were not altered by the different genetic groups.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.598-604
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• 2009

This work was carried out to study the carcass characteristics, the chemical composition and the fatty acid profile in Longissimus muscle (LM) of bull breeds Nellore, NEL (11), Caracu, CAR (12) and Holstein-Friesian, HFR (12) finished in a feedlot. The bulls were fed twice a day with corn silage, cotton meal, cracked corn, urea, limestone and mineral salt. NEL and CAR bulls had similar (p>0.05) final weight and hot carcass weight. However, NEL and CAR bulls had higher (p<0.05) final weight and hot carcass weight than HFR bulls. Carcass hot dressing, carcass conformation, cushion thickness, Longissimus muscle area and texture were similar (p>0.05) among NEL, CAR and HFR bulls. NEL and HFR bulls had higher (p<0.05) carcass length in comparison to the CAR breed. Nellore breed had higher (p<0.05) leg length in comparison to CAR and HFR breeds. Leg length was similar (p>0.05) between CAR and HFR breeds. Thickness fat, color and marbling score were lower (p<0.05) in NEL breed in comparison to CAR and HFR breeds. LM of NEL bulls had higher (p<0.05) meat moisture content in comparison to CAR and HFR bulls. In contrast, lipid content was lower (p<0.10) in HFR bulls. LM ash and crude protein contents were similar (p>0.05) among breeds. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were higher (p<0.10) in HFR animals. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), n-6, n-3 and PUFA/SFA ratio were similar (p>0.05) among the different breeds. N-6/n-3 ratio was higher (p<0.05) in CAR animals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.1054-1059
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• 2009

This work was carried out to study the chemical and fatty acid composition of Longissimus muscle (LM) of crossbred young bulls finished in a feedlot. After weaning (at 8 months old), the bulls were kept in a feedlot for 180 days. The bulls were kept in individual pens and fed (twice daily) with corn silage, soybean hulls, cracked corn, limestone, urea and mineral salt. The bulls were slaughtered with a final weight of 464 kg. Forty bulls were used: 10 Caracu (CAR), 10 Canchim (CAN), 10 Caracu vs. Charolais (CCH) and 10 Canchim vs. Aberdeen Angus (CAA). The percentages of moisture, ash, crude protein, total lipids, as well as the fatty acid composition, were measured in the LM. The moisture percentage was lower (p<0.05) for bulls from CAA genetic group (71.2%) in comparison to bulls from CAR (74.2%), CAN (74.9%) and CCH (74.7%) genetic groups. On the other hand, there was no difference (p>0.05) among bulls from CAR, CAN and CCH genetic groups. Ash percentage was lower (p<0.05) for CAR bulls (0.96%) in comparison with the other genetic groups. There was no difference (p>0.05) among CAN, CCH and CAA genetic groups. Similarly, there was no difference (p>0.05) in crude protein among the different genetic groups. Total lipids percentage was higher (p<0.05) for CAA bulls (5.35%) and lower (p<0.05) for CAN (1.85%) and CCH (1.41%) genetic groups. Genetic group has little effect on the fatty acid composition of Longissimus muscle of bulls. However, CLA (C 18:2 c-9 t-11) percentage was higher (p<0.05) for CAR (0.33%) and CCH (0.37%) in comparison to CAN (0.27%) and CAA (0.29%) genetic groups. Saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-6 and n-3 percentages did not differ (p>0.05) among genetic groups. PUFA/SFA ratio ranged from 0.10 to 0.15, with no difference (p>0.05) among genetic groups. Similarly, n-6/n-3 ratio ranged from 12.6 to 16.3, without difference (p>0.05) among genetic groups.