Effect of Exogenous Fibrolytic Enzymes on the Carcass Characteristics and Performance of Grain-Finished Steers# Vargas J.M.1, Mendoza G.D.2,*, Rubio-Lozano M. De la Salud3, Castrejón F.A.1 Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, 04960, México 1Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Departamento de Nutrición Animal, 04510, México 2Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, 04960, México 3Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Laboratorio de Ciencia de la Carne, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, 04510, Mexico *Corresponding author: gmendoza@correo.xoc.uam.mx
#This paper is part of the special issue entitled: Exogenous Enzymes in Animal Nutrition - Benefits and Limitations, Guest Edited by A.Z.M. Salem and N. Odongo, and Editor for Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, A.K. Pattanaik Online published on 4 January, 2014. Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the impact of different levels of a fibrolytic enzyme in a finishing diet on steer performance and carcass characteristics. The dietary enzyme levels were 0, 2, 4 and 6 ppm. Beef steers (n=7 per treatment) were fed a diet containing 88% concentrate and 12% forage (dry basis) for 75 days. Hot carcass yield improved (linear and quadratic, P<0.05) with enzyme treatment and the shear force tended to be reduced (linear, P<0.10) as enzyme concentration increased. No significant differences were detected in gain, feed conversion and loin characteristics. Thus, it is concluded that fibrolytic enzymes do not affect steer performance but improve carcass yield and tenderness. Top Keywords Beef, Carcass, Enzymes, Meat quality, Performance, Steers. Top |