• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2007

Twenty Hanwoo steers (average body weight=440.8±32.4kg) were used to investigate the effects of fish oil supplementation on growth performance, fatty acid composition of longissimus muscle and carcass characteristics. The experiment was done with two treatment groups; FO-0, without fish oil and FO-3, supplemented with 3% fish oil. Total gain and average daily gain (ADG) of steers were similar between two groups. Fish oil supplementation had no effects on contents of protein, ether extract and ash in longissimus muscle. Contents of isoleucine and glycine in longissimus muscle were decreased by fish oil supplementation (p<0.05), but content of cystein was increased by fish oil supplementation (p<0.05). Fish oil supplementation decreased contents of myristic acid and eicosenoic acid in longissimus muscle (p<0.05), but increased contents of oleic acid and arachidonic acid in longissimus muscle (p<0.05). Contents of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in longissimus muscle were increased by fish oil supplementation p<0.05). Carcass weight, back fat thickness, rib-eye area, yield index and yield grade were similar between two groups. Meat color was improved by fish oil supplementation (p<0.05), Ratio of quality grade ‘1 or over’ increased by fish oil supplementation. Therefore, the present study indicating that fish oil supplementation had positive effects on content of oleic acids in relation to flavor of beef, contents of EPA and DHA in relation to human health and ratio of quality grade ‘1 or over’.