Resumen

RODAS-GONZALEZ, Argenis et al. Effect of Supplementation Regimes and Vacuum Ageing on Palatability of Beef Longissimus from Criollo Limonero Steers Fattened on Pasture. Rev. Cient. (Maracaibo) [online]. 2007, vol.17, n.3, pp.280-287. ISSN 0798-2259.

Twenty three (36 mo of age) Criollo Limonero (CL) steers were subjected to supplementation treatments during 158 d of fattening on pasture as follows: T1= a non-suplemented control group, grazing Echinochloa polystachia grass; T2=grazing plus 1 Kg/d/head of a concentrate to 11% CP, and T3=grazing plus 1h/d of pruning an arboreal legume (Leucaena leucocephala). Animals were slaughtered, and 48 h postmortem, longissimus muscle samples were removed from their carcasses to evaluate cooking traits (CT), Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) and palatability attributes by consumer panelists, at four ageing periods (2, 7, 14 and 21 d). Analysis of variance-covariance was conducted by the least squares method. WBS values and CT were not influenced by feed supplementation (P>0.05). Consumers only detected significant differences on flavor intensity (P=0.04) favoring Leucaena supplementation, but in general, the CL steaks had a good consumer acceptability (>57%), even though the steaks from supplemented animal (concentrate or Leucaena) were categorized mostly as tender meat (>82%). Ageing periods longer than 14 d., guaranteed a higher proportion of tender beef, but their acceptability were affected negatively (<52%). In conclusion, even though differences among treatments were not detected, meats from the supplemented animals with Leucaena had a good acceptability by consumers (58%) and showed a high proportion (84%) of tender meats (WBS<3.88kg). Regardless of feed supplementation, steaks derived from CL steers were categorized mostly (76.55%) as "tender meat".

Palabras clave : Steer; supplemention; criollo; Leucaena; meat palatabilty; vacuum ageing.