Chemical Characteristics of Limousine Beef Depending on Finishing Diets and Muscle Type of Meat

Abstract

Abstract The goal of this study was to compare the chemical properties of three muscle types of beef cattle fed using different finishing diets compositions. Four finishing feeding models for bulls based on different proportions of concentrates, maise silage, grass silage and hay were evaluated. Muscles chemical composition was evaluated in m. infraspinatus (ISB), m. longissimus thoracis (LTC) and m. longissimus lumborum (LLS). The chemical composition of meat was influenced by muscle type. ISB was characterised by higher moisture, collagen content, lower protein and ash content, and net energy concentration than LTC and LLS. The differences between diets in dry matter and fat content in each of the muscle groups studied were stated. Furthermore, a difference in the collagen content in LLS and protein content in ISB was noted. High correlations (P ≤ 0.05) were found between the concentrate content in the finishing diet and protein content (r = 0.59) in ISB, and dry matter both in LLS (r = 0.69) and LTC (r = 0.58). The lowest fat content of beef was noted for all muscles obtained from animals fed with a diet composed of grass silage, hay, and concentrates (D1).