Chemical traits and fatty acids composition of beef from young bulls, steers and heifers fed corn silage and concentrate or sugarcane and concentrate with sunflower grains

The objective in this work was to evaluate the chemical characteristics and the fatty acids composition of beef loin (Longissimus muscle) of young bulls, steers and heifers of Canchim breed. The animals were finished in feedlot system and fed two experimental diets, one with corn silage and concentrate (SIL) and the other with sugar cane, as exclusive roughage, and concentrate containing sunflower grains (CNA). Differences were not detected in relation to moisture, protein and mineral contents between diets or sexual categories. The meat from steers that received the CNA diet had higher lipid content (3.31%) in relation to meat from young bulls and heifers receiving the same diet. The meat from animals that received the CNA diet had higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid (18:2 cis-9, trans-11) and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and showed higher unsaturated fatty acids: saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids: saturated fatty acids ratios than those of animals fed with SIL diet; respectively 0.73 and 0.34%; 8.12 and 6.31%; 0.93 and 0.86; 0.16 and 0.11. The fatty acids composition in meat from beef cattle can be improved with the utilization of sugar cane and sunflower grains in the finishing diet.