The purpose of this work was to evaluate three levels of use of glycerol (0, 3, 6 and 9%) a byproduct of biodiesel production, in the diets of growing and finishing swines on performance, on carcass traits and on meat quality. A total of sixty-four Topigs pigs with 33.27 ± 4.66 kg initial body weight were distributed in 32 pens accordingly to the initial weight in a complete random block design with eight replicates (blocks) per level of glycerol. In each of the three phases: growth 1 (33.27 to 65.00 kg), growth 2 (65.00 to 85.00 kg) and finishing (85.00 to 99.97 kg), the animals were fed isonutritional rations and water ad libitum. When the animals reached 99.97 ± 1.92 kg body weight, they were slaughtered and the following carcass traits were evaluated: hot carcass yield, carcass length, backfat thickness, loin eye area and fat/meat ratio. Samples of longissimus dorsi were taken for pH measurement, color and water drip loss. The addition of glycerol into the diet reduced only the daily weight gain during growth periods 1 and 2. Generally, glycerol can be used as energetic ingredient in diets for growing and finishing pigs up to 9% with no effect on performance, carcass quality and meat quality.
biodiesel; byproduct; carcass; meat; performance
