Longissimus dorsi fatty acids composition of Bos indicus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbred steers finished in pasture

FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Longissimus dorsi fatty acids composition of Bos indicus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbred steers finished in pasture

Ivanor Nunes do Prado^*; Fernanda Barros Moreira; Makoto Matsushita; Nilson Evelázio de Souza

Universidade Estadual de Maringá - UEM; [e-mail]; Av. Colombo, 5790; Maringá - PR - Brazil

ABSTRACT

Studies were carried out to evaluate the fatty acids composition of Longissimus dorsi muscle, with or without fat thickness, of Bos indicus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbred steers finished in millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) or star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus Pilger) pasture systems with mineral or mineral protein supplementation. Neither the treatment nor the genetic group had effect on meat fatty acids composition. The cut had effect on meat fatty acid composition. The meat without fat thickness had 11% of PUFA, 43% of MUFA and 45% of SFA. The meat with fat thickness had 5% of PUFA, 44% of MUFA and 50% of SFA. PUFA/SFA ratio was 0.10 and 0.25 and n-6/n-3 ratio was 0.80 and 1.27 for cuts with and without fat thickness.

Keywords:Bos indicus, Bos taurus, fatty acids, fat, meat, pasture

RESUMO

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a composição em ácidos graxos do músculo Longissimus dorsi, com ou sem gordura de cobertura, de novilhos Bos indicus e mestiços Bos indicus x Bos taurus, terminados em pastagem de milheto (Pennisetum americanum L.) ou grama estrela (Cynodon plectostachyus Pilger), com suplementação mineral ou protéica e mineral. A composição em ácidos graxos da gordura intramuscular e da gordura de cobertura do músculo Longissimus dorsi foram analisadas por cromatografia gasosa. Não houve efeito do tratamento e do grupo genético sobre a composição em ácidos graxos da carne. Houve efeito de corte na composição em ácidos graxos da carne. A carne sem gordura de cobertura apresentou 11% de AGPI, 43% de AGMI e 45% de AGS. A carne com gordura de cobertura apresentou 5% de AGPI, 44% de AGMI e 50% de AGS. A relação AGPI/AGS foi de 0,10 e 0,25 e a relação n-6/n-3 foi de 0,80 e 1,27 para os cortes com e sem gordura de cobertura.

INTRODUCTION

During the last decades, the number of people concerned on maintaining a healthy diet has increased. The consumption of fat has reduced as it has been related to human cardiovascular diseases, obesity and cancer (Jiménez-Colmenero et al., 2001). The result has been a search for products without fat or with low percentage, in order to guarantee a more healthy diet.

However, fat represents between 25 to 30% of the total body weight of an individual adult and develops important functions in the organism (Hegarty, 1995). So fat must be present in the diet, specially some polyunsaturated fatty acids, which, if not consumed in the necessary amount, may alter the perfect functioning of the organism, since they cannot be synthesised by it (Ewin, 1997).

The bovine meat fat presents approximately 48% of saturated fat and 52% of unsaturated fat. (Jiménez-Colmenero et al., 2001). Since saturated fatty acids are not essential and have been associated to health problems (Jiménez-Colmenero et al., 2001) bovine meat consumption may be prejudiced due to the search for healthier diets. According to this, many studies have been made in order to decrease the saturated fatty acids proportion and increase the polyunsaturated fatty acids of the meat.

French et al. (2000), in their work with steers of similar slaughter weight and carcass fat, tested different levels of concentrate in the diet. The results showed a linear saturated fatty acids decrease and a linear polyunsaturated fatty acids increase of intramuscular fat as the concentrate in the diet decreased. The highest PUFA:SFA ratio was obtained in intramuscular fat of animals maintained only in pasture, without any concentrate supplementation. The PUFA increase due to the higher n-3 fatty acids concentration, as the n-6 derivatives were constant for the different treatments.

Once forage is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (French et al., 2000), steers fed only forages could result in a fat deposition with a higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which would led to a healthier aliment, with lower saturated fat contents. An increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids content can be obtained by the slaughter of animals with lower carcass fat deposition and fed with low energy levels (De Smet et al., 2000).

The aim of this study was to evaluate bovine meat fatty acids composition of Bos indicus and Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbred steers fed different pastures, with mineral or protein mineral supplementation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The experiment was carried out in a private farm located in Centenário do Sul, Paraná State, Brazil (22^º51'south latitude, 51^º33'longitude W-GR). Seventeen steers were used, 7 Bos indicus (Nelore) and 10 Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbred assigned to 3 finishing pasture systems: millet (Pennisetum americanum L.) + mineral salt supplementation - MMS (1 ½ Nelore x ½ Limousin, 3 ½ Nelore x ½ Girolando and 2 Nelore); star grass (Cynodon plectostachyus Pilger) + mineral salt supplementation - GMS (2 ½ Nelore x ½ Limousin, 1 ½ Nelore x ½ Girolando and 2 Nelore) and star grass + protein mineral salt supplementation - GPS (2 ½ Nelore x ½ Limousin, 1 ½ Nelore x ½ Girolando and 3 Nelore).

The animals were maintained for 70 days (1^st slaughter) or 83 days (2^nd slaughter). The slaughter occurred when the animals achieved approximately 450 kg (Nelore) or 470 kg (crossbred) of body weight. During grazing time, ten forage samples were collected from each pasture, each 28 days, and homogenised for each treatment for future analysis.

Before going to the slaugher house, the animals were submitted to 10-hour solids and liquids fasting. Shortly after the slaughter, the carcasses were identified and chilled for 24 h at 2^oC. The Longissimus dorsi muscle samples were collected from the area between the 12^th and 13^th rib, and then immediately taken to the laboratory and frozen for future analysis.

Two months later, these samples were thawed at ambient temperature and separated in two portions in order to analyse the fatty acids composition. All fat thickness was removed from one of the samples, and only the Longissimus dorsi muscle had the amount of fatty acids analysed. The fat thickness of the other sample was maintained and analysed along with the muscle portion. These two cuts and the forage samples were ground and homogenised, the total fat matter was separated (Bligh and Dyer, 1959) and the lipids were transesterified to form fatty acids methyl esters (ISO, 1978).

The fatty acids were analysed on a Shimadzu 14A gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionisation detector and fused silica capillary column (25 cm x 0.25 mm and 0.20 mm of Carbowax 20M). The temperatures of the injector and detector were of 220 and 245^ºC, respectively. The gas fluxes were of: 1.2mL/min for the carrier gas (H₂), 30mL/min for the make-up gas (N₂); 300 mL/min and 30 mL/min for the flame gases, synthetic air and H₂, respectively. The split used was of 1/100. The peak areas were determined by the CG-300 Computing Integrator. The identification of the main peaks was made according to the patterns determined by Sigma (USA).

The statistical analysis was made using the Statistical and Genetic Analysis System (SAEG, 1983).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The fatty acids compositions of the two forages analysed (millet and star grass) were similar, however, protein mineral salt presented some differences in comparison to forages (Table 1). The majority of protein mineral salt fatty acids were in the C18:1 form (50.91%) and the majority of forage fatty acids were polyunsaturated fatty acids as C18:2, C18:3 and C18:4 form (41.20%). There was no difference on saturated fatty acids proportion between forages and supplement (Table 1). The monounsaturated fatty acids composition of forages (12.21%) was lower than the value found for the protein mineral salt (52.41%).

The amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids of forages (65.81% and 68.09%, for millet and star grass pasture) was higher than the values found for the protein mineral salt (25.20%).

The n-6:n-3 ratio was lower for forages (0.54) than for protein mineral salt (11.64). This occurred due to the high amount of forage fatty acids deposited in the n-3 form. French et al. (2000) also observed a higher deposition of polyunsaturated fatty acids in forages, especially in the omega-3 form and a higher monounsaturated fatty acids deposition in concentrated aliments.

Diets with high PUFA levels could lead to an increase in these fatty acids in the meat. However, concerning ruminants, during the passage of fatty acids through the rumen, hydrogenation occurs, that is, hydrogen ions are added to the polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly forming C18:0 and C18:1 acids (Tamminga and Doreau, 1991). In conclusion, the increase in PUFA in the diet will not have a direct relation to an increase in these fatty acids in the meat.

Differences on intramuscular fatty acids composition were not observed between treatments (MMS, GMS and GPS) neither between genetic groups (Bos indicus or Bos indicus x Bos taurus crossbred) (Table 2). The majority of the fatty acids were in the C18:1 (oleic acid), C16:0 (palmitic acid) and C18:0 (stearic) form.

Despite the difference observed on fatty acids composition of protein mineral salt compared to forages (Table 1), a difference on meat fatty acids composition was not observed (Tables 2 and 3). This was a result of the low protein and mineral supplement consumption (200g/animal/day). So, the main component of the diet was the forage, and not the supplement.

French et al. (2000), analysing Bos taurus steers, observed a similar proportion of C16:0 and C18:0 acids, with values of 23% and 15%, respectively. Similar results were observed by Silva (2001) in heifers (½ Bos indicus x ½ Bos taurus), finished in confinement with diets made up of corn and yeast or cassava hull and cottonseed meal. Enser et al. (1998) observed similar fatty acids proportion in steers finished in pasture, with values of 24% and 16% for the palmitic and stearic acids, respectively. Literature data are heterogeneous when mentioning the oleic acid (C18:1), inferior values are observed: 36% (Enser et al. , 1998) and 24% (Mandell et al., 1998), as well as values that are similar to the ones obtained in this experiment: 41% (French et al., 2000) and 43% (Silva., 2001).

Once ruminant diet presents low fat concentration, the majority of the adipose tissue is formed by the synthesis of the fatty acids by the animal metabolism. Fatty acids were elongated until C18:0 and, by dessaturation, were converted into C18:1 (Rule et al., 1997). As the adipose tissue formed increased, a higher deposition of oleic acid will occur. This explain the differences observed in literature about the C18:1 proportion in meat fat. Carcasses with lower fat deposition can present higher polyunsaturated fatty acids proportion and lower oleic acid deposition (Rule et al., 1997).

Oleic acid increases the HDL-cholesterol concentration and decreases the LDL concentration (Katan et al., 1994). As only LDL is related to cardiovascular problems, higher oleic acid concentration will not have a negative effect on human health.

The analysis of meat fatty acids composition made with fat thickness (intramuscular + subcutaneous fat) indicated that there was no difference between treatments (MMS, GMS and GPS) and genetic groups (Bos indicus or crossbreed), except for C22:5 n-3, which was higher for animals offered protein mineral salt as a complement. The cuts with fat thickness presented a higher proportion of fatty acids in the C18:1, C16:0 and C18:0 forms (Table 3).

Mitchell et al. (1998) also observed a higher proportion of these fatty acids in fat thickness of animals maintained in pasture, with values of 47, 23 and 12% for oleic, palmitic and stearic acids, respectively. Similar results were achieved by Silva (2001) for cuts with fat thickness of heifers finished in confinement, with values of 40, 27 and 16% for oleic, palmitic and stearic acids, respectively.

The PUFA, MUFA, SFA, n-6 and n-3 proportions of meat without fat thickness did not differ between treatment or genetic group (Table 4). The average PUFA content was of 11%. Inferior values were obtained by French et al. (2000) (5.35%) and superior values were obtained by Mitchell et al. (1991) (16.7%) of PUFA. These authors worked with castrated animals maintained exclusively in pasture. The average SFA proportion was of 45%; similar to the value obtained by Mitchell et al. (1991). The average PUFA: SFA ratio was of 0.25. Mitchell et al. (1991) obtained a value of 0.40 and French et al. (2000) obtained a value of 0.13. These differences found in literature can be a result of the type of forage used, breed or finishing score of the animals. Significant differences on forage fatty acids composition of species used in this experiment were not found, however, only tropical species were tested and no data in literature was found comparing tropical and temperate species.

French et al. (2000) observed a higher PUFA:SFA ratio for the animals maintained exclusively in pasture than for the animals concentrate-fed. However, Enser et al. (1998), observed a higher PUFA/SFA ratio for animals that were grain-fed. These differences can be explained, once Enser et al. (1998) worked with animals of different finishing scores, using non-castrated animals for the grain treatment and castrated animals for the forage treatment. Castrated animals presented higher intramuscular fat deposition than non-castrated animals (2.9 vs. 2.0%). It is known that as the amount of carcass fat increases, the triacylglycerols proportion increases in relation to the phospholipids and, the triacylglycerols are responsible for the high fat saturation of ruminants (De Smet et al., 2000).

Therefore, comparing to this experiment, the lower PUFA:SFA ratio found by French et al. (2000) could be a result of the higher intramuscular fat proportion, since the values were 40 g/100 g of muscle and, in this experiment, the average intramuscular fat proportion was of 1.56 g/100 g of muscle (Table 6).

The omega-6 fatty acid deposition was close to the omega-3 deposition (Table 4). Therefore, the n-6:n-3 ratio was close to 1. Similar values were obtained by Enser et al. (1998) with values of 1.32 for animals maintained in pasture.

The linoleic (n-6) and the linolenic (n-3) acids develop vital functions in organism and, since the animal or human cannot synthesise them, they need to be supplemented by diet. These acids are converted in intermediate metabolites in order to develop their functions. However, for some metabolic passages of the n-6 and n-3 derivatives, some of the utilised enzymes are the same, so that the excess of n-6 derivative may lead to a deficiency of n-3 derivatives (Ewin, 1997). In this context, it has been advised that the n-6:n-3 ratio must be around 4-10:1 (Krummel, 1998). In spite of the importance of these fatty acids for the human health, an exact relation has not been established yet (Hu, 2001).

When comparing fatty acids proportion of the cuts with or without fat thickness, it is possible to observe that intramuscular fat presents a higher polyunsaturated fatty acids proportion and a lower saturated fatty acids proportion, which results on a higher PUFA:SFA ratio for the cut without fat thickness (Table 5) The higher PUFA:SFA ratio for the intramuscular fat was also obtained by Webb et al. (1998). Intramuscular fat is formed by marbling fat and lipids present in the cellular membrane. The cellular membrane is basically made up of phospholipids. Subcutaneous fat is made up of adipose tissue, and its main energy source is in the triacylglycerols form.

Once the saturation degree of triacylglycerols is higher than phospolipids (De Smet et al. , 2000), the adipose tissue will have the higher saturated fatty acids proportion, which explains the results that were obtained in this experiment.

By analysing the cuts with or without fat thickness, a higher proportion of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids can be observed for the cut without fat thickness. Since n-6 and n-3 are polyunsaturated fatty acids, the factor described above can be the reason of the higher n-6 and n-3 fatty acids proportion in intramuscular fat.

Table 6 shows fatty acids concentrations of cuts with or without fat thickness, in natural form, shortly after thawing. The cut with fat thickness presented a higher concentration of almost all fatty acids, which was a result of difference of fat proportion in the cut (1561 mg/g of meat and 9726 mg/g of meat for cuts without or with fat thickness) and also a result of difference of fatty acids proportion in the cut (Table 5)

Fatty acids composition can alter the flavour and the aroma of the meat. The flavour is positively related to the oleic acid, while the linolenic acid is negatively related to the flavour and aroma of the meat (Mandell et al., 1998). The oleic:linolenic acid ratio was of 18.48 for the meat without fat thickness and 27.86 for the meat with fat thickness, which explained why most of consumers have a preference for meat with fat thickness.

The recommended daily fat ingestion value is a maximum of 30% of the diet calories, of which 10% can be saturated, 10% monounsaturated and 10% polyunsaturated (Krummel, 1998).

Analysing a diet of 2500 calories per day, the calorie consumption from 100 g of Longissimus dorsi muscle in natura without fat thickness, would be of 6.3; 6.08; and 1.42, in its saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated forms, respectively, since one gram of fat is equivalent to nine calories. The consumption of calories from 100 g of Longissimus dorsi muscle in natura, with fat thickness would be of 45.42; 38.19 and 3.93 in the saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated form, respectively. These values were inferior to the maximum values recommended for a person of normal weight and physically active, especially for the meat without fat thickness, which allows us to affirm that moderate consumption of bovine meat was not responsible for obesity problems.

There is not an established nutritional recommendation of omega-6 and omega-3 acids; however, the daily need of linolenic acid has been estimated between 2 to 7 g/day and the daily need of omega-3 acids has been estimated between 1.1 to 1.5 g/day. An ingestion of 100 g of fresh meat will result in a consumption of 91 mg of n-6 and 67 mg of n-3, that is, values that are inferior to the daily needs of these fatty acids. Scheeder et al. (2001) observed a higher deposition of n-3 fatty acids in the fat of animals fed with linseed oil, with values of 194 mg/100 g of fresh meat. However, these values still do not attend the daily needs, which leads us to the conclusion that other oils may be needed to supply these fatty acids, as vegetable or fish oils, for example.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors are grateful to MINERPHÓS Ltda. for providing the mineral and protein supplements to carry out this experiment. We also thank the owner of the animals, Armando Vieira Moreira, for the concession of the animals and farm used in the field experiments.

Received: January 31, 2002

Revised: June 19, 2002

Accepted: October 22, 2002

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*

Author for correspondence

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  10 Feb 2004
• Date of issue
  Dec 2003

History

• Accepted
  22 Oct 2002
• Reviewed
  19 June 2002
• Received
  31 Jan 2002