The effect of dietary oilseeds on physico-chemical characteristics, fatty acid profile and sensory aspects of meat of young zebu cattle

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary oilseed grains on physico-chemical and sensory parameters of the meat of Nellore steers. The animals were distributed in a completely randomized design in four treatments that consisted of four diets: one without the addition of lipids (control diet) and others containing cottonseed, soybean, sunflower seed. The meat from animals fed with soybean scored highest for succulence and tenderness. The inclusion of oilseed grains modified the composition of fatty acids in the meat, but did not influence the lipid indexes or the cholesterol content in the meat. We suggest the inclusion of soybean in the diet of young cattle because increase the meat acceptability by consumers.

Keywords:
sensory analysis; consumers; cottonseed; sunflower grain; soybean; tenderness