Composição tecidual e química dos cortes comerciais da carcaça de cordeiros Santa Inês terminados em pastagem nativa com suplementação

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of feed supplementation on the chemical and tissue composition of leg and loin from carcass of Santa Inês lambs, finished on pasture. Twenty-four castrated 3 to 4 month-old Santa Inês lambs were used, initial live body weight (LW) 15.8 kg, distributed in three concentrate supplementation levels (0.0, 1.0 and 1.5% LW). A randomized complete design was used, with three treatments and eight replications (lambs). The leg and loin were dissected in muscle, bone, fat and to determine tissue composition and the meat was submitted to chemical analyses. The supplementation influenced the yields of loin and leg muscles, bones, fat, dry matter, ash, crude protein and fat. The supplementation improved muscle yield and chemical composition of the loin and leg from Santa Inês lambs finished on native pasture. When the objective is to produce lighter carcasses, the recommended concentrate level is 1.0% LW, and 1.5% LW is recommended to produce heavier carcasses. © 2009 Sociedade Brasileira de Zootecnia.