Effects of dietary inclusion of high concentrations of crude glycerin on meat quality and fatty acid profile of feedlot fed Nellore bulls

PLoS One. 2017 Jun 23;12(6):e0179830. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179830. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Crude glycerin, the main by-product of biodiesel production, can replace dietary energy sources, such as corn. The objective of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of up to 30% of crude glycerin in dry matter (DM) of the total diets, and its effects on meat quality parameters of feedlot Nellore bulls. Thirty animals (227.7 ± 23.8 kg body weight; 18 months old) were housed in individual pens and fed 5 experimental diets, containing 0, 7.5, 15, 22.5 or 30% crude glycerin (DM basis). After 103 d (21 d adaptation) animals were slaughtered and the Longissimus muscle was collected. The characteristics assessed were chemical composition, fatty acid profile, cholesterol, shear force, pH, color, water-holding capacity, cooking loss and sensory properties. The increasing inclusion of crude glycerin in the diets did not affect the chemical composition of the Longissimus muscle (P > 0.10). A quadratic effect was observed when levels of crude glycerin were increased, on the concentration of pentadecanoic, palmitoleic and eicosenoic fatty acids in meat (P < 0.05), and on the activity of the delta-9 desaturase 16 and delta-9 desaturase 18 enzymes (P < 0.05). The addition of crude glycerin increased the gamma linolenic fatty acid concentration (P < 0.01), and altered the monounsaturated fatty acids in Longissimus muscle of animals (Pquad. < 0.05). Crude glycerin decreased cholesterol content in meat (P < 0.05), and promoted higher flavor score and greasy intensity perception of the meat (P < 0.01). The inclusion of up to 30% crude glycerin in Nellore cattle bulls`diets (DM basis) improves meat cholesterol and sensory attributes, such as flavor, without affecting significantly the physical traits, the main fatty acid concentrations and the chemical composition.

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed*
  • Animals
  • Cattle / metabolism*
  • Color
  • Cooking
  • Fatty Acids / analysis*
  • Food Quality*
  • Glycerol / administration & dosage*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Male
  • Meat / analysis*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry*
  • Subcutaneous Fat / metabolism
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Water
  • Glycerol

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP grant numbers 09/51857-3, 08/53712-0), http://www.fapesp.br/.