The effect of breed on the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Longissimus dorsi muscle of Brazilian beef cattle

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of the Lon- gissimus dorsi muscle of first (PUR1) and second (PUR2) generations of Purunã-breed cattle, and compare them to their ancestral generations (PUR). Thirty-nine young bulls with an average initial weight of 236 kg and initial age of 10 months were used. The animals were slaughtered at the age of 16 months with an average final weight of 464 kg. The content of water, ash, crude protein and total cholesterol in the muscles were similar (P>0.05) among the different genetic groups. The levels of total intramuscular fat were higher (P <0.05) for the PUR1 genetic group. The lowest (P<0.05) percentage was observed in PUR. There were no difference (P>0.05) in SFA, MUFA, PUFA, n-3, or in the PUFA:SFA and n-6:n-3 ratios, when comparing the first and second Purun2 generations to their ancestors.