The effect of encapsulated active principles (eugenol, thymol and vanillin) and clove and rosemary essential oils on the structure, collagen content, chemical composition and fatty acid profile of Nellore heifers muscle.

The objective of the present experiment was to evaluate the effects of encapsuled active principles (eugenol, thymol and vanillin blend), and clove and rosemary essential oils inclusion into the finishing diets of Nellore heifers on chemical composition, collagen content, fatty acid profile and structural traits (fibers types, type I and III collagen and sarcomere length) of longissimus muscle. Treatments had no effect (P > .05) on type of fiber, the meat chemical composition or in the muscle fatty acid profile. However, the diet with clove and rosemary essential oil and the active principle blend led to an increase in sarcomere length, higher soluble collagen content and a lower amount of type III collagen (P < .05). The mixture of both active principles and essential oils clove and cinnamon essential oil, have a potential use in animal feed, favoring a greater sarcomere length, that is directly related to the increase of the meat tenderness, without altering the meat chemical composition or fatty acid profile.

Influence of slaughter season and muscle type on fatty acid composition, conjugated linoleic acid isomeric distribution and nutritional quality of intramuscular fat in Arouquesa-PDO veal.

The effects of the slaughter season and muscle type on lipid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) contents, fatty acid composition and isomeric profile of CLA in Arouquesa veal, from calves reared according to the specifications of the protected designation of origin (PDO), were assessed. Arouquesa purebred calves (n=31) were raised in a traditional production system, slaughtered in early autumn (October) or late spring (June), and the longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscles were sampled for analysis. Arouquesa-PDO veal only showed seasonal differences in the levels of some minor fatty acids (16:1c9, 17:1c9, 18:1t, 18:3n-3, 20:0 and 22:4n-6) and CLA isomers (t12,t14, t9,t11 and c11,t13). Furthermore, significant interactions between the slaughter season and muscle type were obtained for several fatty acids and CLA isomers, total lipids and CLA, and the PUFA/SFA ratio. In both seasons, veal-PDO depicts values of pasture-fed cattle. From a human nutritional perspective, veal-PDO in both slaughter seasons has relatively high CLA contents and percentages of the c9,t11 CLA isomer, which is favourable, while the n-6/n-3 ratios are within the recommended values for the human diet. In conclusion, the results suggest that intramuscular fat in Arouquesa-PDO veal has high nutritional value throughout the year.

Effect of slaughter season on fatty acid composition, conjugated linoleic acid isomers and nutritional value of intramuscular fat in Barrosã-PDO veal.

This paper describes the influence of slaughter season on lipid content, fatty acid composition, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric profile and nutritional value of fat in Barrosã veal from calves reared according to the specifications of the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Barrosã purebred calves (n=27) were raised in a traditional production system and slaughtered in early autumn (October) and late spring (June). Barrosã-PDO veal only presented seasonal differences in the levels of some minor fatty acids and CLA isomers, as well as in the PUFA/SFA ratio. Based on the analysed grass intake indicators, it was shown that veal-PDO has similar values to pasture-fed cattle for both slaughter seasons. From a human nutrition perspective, intramuscular fat in Barrosã-PDO veal has a high nutritional value throughout the year, since CLA contents and the percentages of the c9,t11 isomer are relatively high, and the n-6/n-3 ratios are within the recommended values for the human diet.