title: Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of meat from young Nellore bulls fed different levels of palm kernel cake.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Palm kernel cake is a biodiesel byproduct and an alternative feed additive in cattle production. This study evaluated the effects of palm kernel cake added to bulls' diets on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of their meat. Thirty-two young Nellore bulls were used, distributed in a randomized experimental design with four treatments: 0, 7, 14 or 21% (w/w) palm kernel cake in the dry matter of the diet. Hay was used at 35% (w/w) in the diets, which were balanced to provide 150 g kg(-1) crude protein and 33 Mcal kg(-1) metabolizable energy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The moisture (P = 0.40), ash (P = 0.70), protein (P = 0.10) and ether extract (P = 0.31) contents of the meat samples were not affected by the inclusion of palm kernel cake. The qualitative characteristics of the meat, including pH (P = 0.69), water-holding capacity (P = 0.22), cooking loss (P = 0.14), shear force (P = 0.32) and instrumental color indices L* (P = 0.75), a* (P = 0.44) and b* (P = 0.41), were not affected by the substitution of palm kernel cake for soybean meal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Palm kernel cake may be included at up to 21% (w/w) in cattle feed without compromising the physicochemical, sensory and acceptance characteristics of the meat. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nivaldo B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Santana Filho
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ronaldo L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cláudia H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cruz
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso, Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
authors.forename: André G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Leão
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Reconcavo da Bahia, 44380-000, Cruz das Almas, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ossival L
authors.initials: OL
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Máikal S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Borja
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Bahia, 40170-110, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thadeu M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, 79080-190 Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudilene L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Abreu
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D028023:Arecaceae; D002417:Cattle; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*
keywords: Elaeis guineensis; byproduct; instrumental color; shear force; water-holding capacity