Carotenoids and tocopherol in plasma and fat to authenticate forage feeding in cattle
2014
Blanco, M. | Molino, F. | Ripoll, G. | Casasús, I. | Joy, M.
Forage-feeding in cattle carcasses can be authenticated using an estimator of carotenoid pigment concentration (SUM). Therefore, it is suggested that plasmatic carotenoids and α-tocopherol could be used to authenticate it in vivo. Plasmatic concentrations of carotenoids and α-tocopherol, fat colour and SUM were studied in concentrate-fed bulls (C) and two groups of steers until slaughter (500 kg). Both groups of steers were fed a total mixed ration (50 per cent lucerne hay plus 10 per cent straw+ 40 per cent corn) during 159 days (winter) and grazed on a mountain meadow plus 1.8 kg DM corn per d for 85 days. Thereafter, one group was finished on a mead- ow (G) plus 1.8 kg DM corn per d for 75 days and the other group was finished by means of a total mixed ration during 55 days (finishing period) (TMR). During winter, G and TMR steers had greater plasmatic carotenoids concentrations than C bulls (P less than 0.001). Conversely, C bulls had greater plasmatic α-tocopherol concentra- tion than both groups of steers on day 29 (P less than 0.001) and 55 (P less than 0.05) but similar thereafter. During the fin- ishing period, G steers had greater plasmatic Beta-carotene, lutein and alpha-tocopherol concentrations than TMR steers (P less than 0.001). Fat colour of G steers had lower lightness but greater yellowness and SUM than C bulls. Steers finished with TMR had intermediate values for lightness and yellowness. Plasmatic carotenoids con- tent and SUM were useful to detect differences in diet.
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