Evaluation of fermented Alisma canaliculatum with probiotics as potential feed additives for finishing Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) steers

The present study was conducted to develop a functional feed additive, Alisma canaliculatum probiotic (ACP), for beef cattle, using the medicinal plant Alisma canaliculatum along with probiotic strains. A three-step fermentation process was developed for the manufacture of ACP. The effects of dietary ACP on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat composition and oxidative stability in Hanwoo steers were investigated. Twenty-four Hanwoo steers (average 592.91 ± 10 kg bodyweight) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: control (basal diet), ACP 0.5% (basal diet + 0.5% ACP) and ACP 1.0% (basal diet + 1.0% ACP). Overall, dietary ACP resulted in significant elevation of bodyweight gain and feed efficiency compared with the control (P < 0.01). No significant differences in carcass characteristics were found among the dietary treatments, although carcass quality grade was improved by the ACP 0.5% diet (P = 0.007). Moisture, crude ash and crude protein contents were unaffected; however, crude fat and cholesterol contents were lower in steers fed ACP 0.5% (P < 0.05). Whereas the calcium of Hanwoo beef was unaffected by the dietary treatments, iron and magnesium contents were elevated by the ACP 0.5% diet compared with the control or ACP 1.0% diet (P < 0.01). Further, the ACP 0.5% diet improved the meat fatty acid profile by reducing saturated fatty acid content, especially myristic acid (P ≤ 0.05), as well as by increasing unsaturated fatty acid and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content, especially α-linolenic acid (P < 0.10). The ACP diet was found to have positive effects on unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid and n-6/n-3 ratios (P ≤ 0.05). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values of the control group were higher compared with either of the ACP diet groups (P < 0.001). Overall, these data indicate that dietary ACP conferred beneficial effects on the growth performance, fatty acid profile, meat composition and oxidative stability in Hanwoo steers. Therefore, ACP may be used as a feed additive for beef cattle.