COLOR OF THE FAT TISSUE OF YOUNG BEEF BULLS FINISHED WITH SUGAR CANE (Saccharum spp.) ENSILAGE

Abstract

The effect of supplementing with sugar cane (Saccharum spp.) ensilage and levels of fibrolytic enzyme on the productive behavior and fat pigmentation in young beef bull carcasses was evaluated. Forty (40) young beef bulls were used with initial live weight of 408.28±7.79 kg, distributed into four treatments and 10 repetitions in a completely random design for 90 d. The treatments studied were: T1=Only grazing, T2=T1+cane ensilage (EC), T3=T1+EC+15 g of Fibrozyme®, T4=T1+EC+30 g of Fibrozyme®. The digestibility of the grass and EC, consumption, daily weight gain (DWG), were evaluated, and after 90 d the animals were sacrificed to evaluate the pigmentation of the fat on the carcass through colorimetry. The sugar cane ensilage after 25 d of storage presented 15.5 % of PC, and 46 % of degradation, the grass had 6.3 % of PC and 42.8 of degradation. A high percentage of yellowing on the carcass fat was observed in young beef bulls that remained grazing (T1). T2 recorded a lower percentage of pigmentation (46.0a, 24.3d, 31.9c and 39.6b for T1, T2 T3 and T4, respectively). Differences were observed in the place of sampling, with 2 % less pigmentation in the scapula area than in the anterior back area. It is concluded that the addition of 15 g of Fibrozyme® increased the daily weight gain. Supplementation with sugar cane ensilage decreases the yellow color of fat from grazing animals.