Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Replacing corn bran and soybean meal in the diet with spineless cactus and cottonseed affects ingestive behaviour, performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Murrah water buffalo

Joseane N. Batista A , Fabrício B. Pereira B , José M. Pereira Filho A , Valdi de Lima Junior C , Viviany L. F. dos Santos B , Marcos J. Araújo B , José F. P. Moura A , Elzania S. Pereira D , Ronaldo L. Oliveira E and Leilson R. Bezerra A F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Federal University of Campina Grande, Department of Animal Science, Avenida Universitária S/N, Santa Cecilia, 58710-110, Patos, Paraíba, Brazil.

B Federal University of Piaui, Department of Animal Science, Rodovia Bom Jesus-Viana, km 135, 64900-000, Bom Jesus, Piaui, Brazil.

C Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, Department of Animal Science, Campus Universitário Macaiba, 59280-000, Macaiba, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

D Federal University of Ceará, Department of Animal Science, Avenida da Universidade, N° 2853, Benfica, 60020-181, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.

E Federal University of Bahia, Department of Animal Science, Avenida Adhemar de Barros, 500, Ondina, 40170110, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

F Corresponding author. Email: leilson@ufpi.edu.br

Animal Production Science 60(7) 903-912 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN19260
Submitted: 19 February 2019  Accepted: 20 August 2019   Published: 24 March 2020

Abstract

Context: The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is a valuable species in part because it is a multipurpose animal; its milk, horns and skin are all useful, and its meat is rich and nutritious. However, water buffalo meat still suffers many marketing restrictions.

Aims: The present study evaluated performance, ingestive behaviour, carcass characteristics and meat quality.

Methods: We examined the meat of 24 Murrah water buffaloes that weighed 287.8 ± 1.8 kg and were divided into four groups that received 0, 250, 500 or 750 g/kg dry matter (DM) of a 3 : 2 blend of spineless cactus–cottonseed (henceforth, referred to as the blend) for 125 days in a completely randomised design.

Key results: The inclusion of the blend resulted in diets with increased moisture and crude protein intake at 250 g/kg inclusion and reduced intakes of non-fibrous carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients per kilogram DM, which led to an increased DM intake, but significantly lower (P < 0.001) final bodyweight, average daily gain, and hot carcass weight, thus resulting in a significantly lower (P < 0.001) growth efficiency. Moreover, there was a reduction in the ammonia-nitrogen concentration and time spent drinking (P ≤ 0.05). The ruminal pH and time spent feeding, chewing and defecating increased (P ≤ 0.05), the fat content and colour parameters of the water buffalo meat increased, and the shear force decreased (P ≤ 0.05) in response to the inclusion of the 3 : 2 blend of spineless cactus–cottonseed in the diet. The time spent on both rumination and urination, most of the physicochemical properties, and the consumer appeal of the meat, were not affected by the inclusion of the blend (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: The 3 : 2 blend of spineless cactus–cottonseed is not an effective replacement for corn bran and soybean meal in buffalo diets because, despite improving the rumen pH, the blend reduces the performance and carcass characteristics of the water buffalo. However, the fat content, coloration and softness of the meat improved, which is of commercial importance.

Implications: The inclusion of the spineless cactus–cottonseed blend in place of the high-concentrate diet did not affect the consumer appeal of the meat. The meat characteristics were scored as ‘like moderately’ (6–7 on a 9-point hedonic scale). On the basis of the scores of the panellists, all of the meats were well accepted.

Additional keywords: alternative feeds, Bubalus bubalis, cactus, ethology, meat.


References

Alves FJL, Ferreira MA, Urbano SA, Andrade RPX, Silva AEM, Siqueira MCB, Oliveira JPF, Silva JL (2016) Performance of lambs fed alternative protein sources to soybean meal. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 45, 145–150.
Performance of lambs fed alternative protein sources to soybean meal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

AMSA (2015) ‘Research guidelines for cookery, sensory evaluation, and instrumental tenderness measurements of meat.’ 2nd edn (version 1.0). (American Meat Science Association: Champaign, IL, USA)

Andrighetto C, Jorge AM, Roça R de O, Rodrigues E, Bianchini W, Francisco C de L (2008) Physical–chemical and sensory characteristics of meat from Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different feedlot periods. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 37, 2179–2184.
Physical–chemical and sensory characteristics of meat from Murrah buffaloes slaughtered at different feedlot periods.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

AOAC (1990) ‘Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC.’ 15th edn. (Association of Official Analytical Chemists: Arlington, VA, USA)

AOAC (2002) ‘Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC.’ 16th edn. (Association of Official Analytical Chemistry: Washington, DC, USA)

Araújo PRB, Ferreira MA, Brasil LHA, Santos DC, Lima RMB, Véras ASC, Santos MVF, Bispo SV, Azevedo M (2004) Replacement of corn by forage cactus in the total mixed rations for crossbreed lactating cows. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 33, 1850–1857.

Ben Salem H, Nefzaoui A, Ben Salem L (2002) Supplementing spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus indica f. inermis) based with urea treated straw or oldman saltbush (Atriplex nummularia L.). Effects on intake, digestion and sheep browth. The Journal of Agricultural Science 138, 85–92.
Supplementing spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus indica f. inermis) based with urea treated straw or oldman saltbush (Atriplex nummularia L.). Effects on intake, digestion and sheep browth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Bürger PJ, Pereira JC, Queiroz AC, Silva JFC, Valadares Filho SC, Cecon PR, Casali ADP (2000) Ingestive behavior in Holstein calves fed diets with different concentrate levels. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 29, 236–242.

Cifuni GF, Contò M, Amici A, Failla S (2014) Physical and nutritional properties of buffalo meat finished on hay or maize silage-based diets. Animal Science Journal 85, 405–410.
Physical and nutritional properties of buffalo meat finished on hay or maize silage-based diets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24261881PubMed |

Cordova-Torres AV, Mendoza-Mendoza JC, Bernal-Santos G, García-Gasca T, Kawas JR, Costa RG, Mondragon Jacobo C, Andrade-Montemayor HM (2015) Nutritional composition, in vitro degradability and gas production of Opuntia ficus indica and four other wild cacti species. Life Science Journal 12, 42–54.

Costa RG, Trevi IH, Medeiros GR, Medeiros AN, Pinto TF, Oliveira RL (2012) Effects of replacing corn with cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica Mill) on the performance of Santa Inês lambs. Small Ruminant Research 102, 13–17.
Effects of replacing corn with cactus pear (Opuntia ficus indica Mill) on the performance of Santa Inês lambs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

de Figueiredo Monteiro CC, Melo AAS, Campos JMS, Souza JSR, Silva ETS, Andrade RPX, Silva EC (2014) Replacement of wheat bran with spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus indica Mill cv Gigante) and urea in the diets of Holstein × Gyr heifers. Tropical Animal Health and Production 46, 1149–1154.
Replacement of wheat bran with spineless cactus (Opuntia ficus indica Mill cv Gigante) and urea in the diets of Holstein × Gyr heifers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24839899PubMed |

de Gouvêa AA, Oliveira RL, Leão AG, Assis DY, Bezerra LR, Nascimento NG de Gouvêa AA, Oliveira RL, Leão AG, Assis DY, Bezerra LR, Nascimento NG (2016) Color, sensory and physicochemical attributes of beef burger made using meat from young bulls fed levels of licuri cake. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 96, 3668–3672.
Color, sensory and physicochemical attributes of beef burger made using meat from young bulls fed levels of licuri cake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26611867PubMed |

Di Marco ON (1998) ‘Crecimiento de vacunos para carne.’ 1.edn. (Mar Del Plata: Balcarce, Argentina)

Felix SCR, Pessoa RAS, Ferreira M de A, Soares LFP, Silva J de L, de Abreu KSF, de Melo ACC (2016) Intake, performance, and carcass characteristics of lambs fed spineless cactus replacing wheat bran. Tropical Animal Health and Production 48, 465–468.
Intake, performance, and carcass characteristics of lambs fed spineless cactus replacing wheat bran.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Franzolin R, Silva JR, Ocampos D (2001) Energy levels in the diet for growing buffaloes under feedlot: 1. Performance and biochemical blood nutrients. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 30, 1872–1879.
Energy levels in the diet for growing buffaloes under feedlot: 1. Performance and biochemical blood nutrients.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fundora O, Fernández D, Sarduy L, González ME (2016) Productive performance and carcass yield of grazing water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) and bovine cattle in the growing-fattening stage. Cuban Journal of Agricultural Science 50, 579–585.

Gebremariam T, Melaku S, Yami A (2006) Effect of different levels of cactos (Opuntia ficus-indica) inclusion on feed intake digestibility and body weight gain in tef (Eragrostis tef) straw-based feeding of sheep. Animal Feed Science and Technology 131, 43–52.
Effect of different levels of cactos (Opuntia ficus-indica) inclusion on feed intake digestibility and body weight gain in tef (Eragrostis tef) straw-based feeding of sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hall MB (2000). ‘Neutral detergent-soluble carbohydrates. Nutritional relevance and analysis: a laboratory manual.’ (University of Florida: Gainesville, FL, USA)

Hamm R (1986) Functional properties of the myofibrillar-system and their measurements. In ‘Muscle as food’. (Ed. PJ Bechtel) pp. 135–199. (Academic Press Inc.: Orlando: FL, USA)

Hughes JM, Oiseth SK, Purslow PP, Warner RD (2014) A structural approach to understanding the interactions between colour, water-holding capacity and tenderness. Meat Science 98, 520–532.
A structural approach to understanding the interactions between colour, water-holding capacity and tenderness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25034451PubMed |

Joele MRSP, Lourenço LF, Lourenço Júnior JB, Araújo G, Budel JC, Garcia AR (2017) Meat quality of buffaloes finished in traditional or silvopastoral system in the Brazilian eastern Amazon. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 97, 1740–1745.
Meat quality of buffaloes finished in traditional or silvopastoral system in the Brazilian eastern Amazon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Johnson TR, Combs DK (1991) Effects of prepartum diet, inert rumen bulk, and dietary polythylene glycol on dry matter intake of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 933–944.
Effects of prepartum diet, inert rumen bulk, and dietary polythylene glycol on dry matter intake of lactating dairy cows.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1649204PubMed |

Jorge AM, Andrighetto C, Millen DD, Calixto MG, Rodrigues E, Storti SMM, Vilela LC (2006) Biochemicals meat traits from Mediterranean buffaloes finished in feedlot and slaughtered at different weights. Ciência Rural 36, 1534–1539.
Biochemicals meat traits from Mediterranean buffaloes finished in feedlot and slaughtered at different weights.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kandeepan G, Mendiratta SK, Shukla V, Vishnuraj MR (2013) Processing characteristics of buffalo meat: a review. Journal of Meat Science and Technology 1, 1–11.

Leite MLMV, Silva DS, Andrade AP (2014) Characterization of forage cactus production in the cariri region of Paraíba state, Brazil. Revista Caatinga 27, 192–200.

Licitra G, Hernandez TM, Van Soest PJ (1996) Standardization of procedures for nitrogen fractionation of ruminants feeds. Animal Feed Science and Technology 57, 347–358.
Standardization of procedures for nitrogen fractionation of ruminants feeds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

MacDougall DB, Taylor AA (1975) Colour retention in fresh meat stored in oxygen: a commercial scale trial. International Journal of Food Science and Technology 10, 339–347.
Colour retention in fresh meat stored in oxygen: a commercial scale trial.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Malti JE, Amarouch H (2008) Microbiological and physicochemical characterization of natural fermented camel meat sausage. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 32, 159–177.
Microbiological and physicochemical characterization of natural fermented camel meat sausage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Marques JA, Iwayama PT, Prado IN, Albuquerque KP, Scomparin VX, Nascimento WG (2006) Buffalo heifer’s performance fattened in feedlot in response of the utilization of growth promoter or lead sphere introduced in the uterus. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia 58, 1132–1138.
Buffalo heifer’s performance fattened in feedlot in response of the utilization of growth promoter or lead sphere introduced in the uterus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Marques CSS, Oaigen RP, de Moraes CM, dos Santos MAS, de Brito Lourenço J Marques CSS, Oaigen RP, de Moraes CM, dos Santos MAS, de Brito Lourenço J (2016) Segmentation of the buffalo meat consumer market in Belém, Pará, Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia 45, 336–344.
Segmentation of the buffalo meat consumer market in Belém, Pará, Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Masucci F, De Rosa G, Barone C, Napolitano F, Grasso F, Uzun P, Di Francia A (2016) Effect of group size and maize silage dietary levels on behaviour, health, carcass and meat quality of Mediterranean buffaloes. Animal 10, 531–538.
Effect of group size and maize silage dietary levels on behaviour, health, carcass and meat quality of Mediterranean buffaloes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26549768PubMed |

May SG, Mies WL, Edwards JW, Williams FL, Wise JW, Morgan JB, Savell JW, Cross HR (1992) Beef carcass composition of slaughter cattle differing in frame size, muscle score, and external fatness. Journal of Animal Science 70, 2431–2445.
Beef carcass composition of slaughter cattle differing in frame size, muscle score, and external fatness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1506305PubMed |

Mertens DR (1994) Regulation of forage intake. In ‘Forage quality, evaluation, and utilization’. (Eds GC Fahey Jr, M Collins) pp. 450–493. (American Society of Agronomy: Madison, WI, USA)

Miltenburg GA, Wensing T, Smulders FJM, Breukink HJ (1992) Relationship between blood hemoglobin, plasma and tissue iron, muscle heme pigment, and carcass color of veal. Journal of Animal Science 70, 2766–2772.

NRC (1996) ‘Nutrient requirements of beef cattle.’ 7th edn. (National Academies Press: Washington, DC, USA)

NRC (2001) ‘Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle.’ 7th revised edn. (National Academies Press: Washington, DC, USA)

Park S, Beak S, Jung D, Kim SY, Jeong IH, Piao MY, Kang HJ, Fassah DM, Na SW, Yoo SP, Baik M (2018) Genetic, management, and nutritional factors affecting intramuscular fat deposition in beef cattle – a review. Asian-Australasian Journal Animal Science 31, 1043–1061.
Genetic, management, and nutritional factors affecting intramuscular fat deposition in beef cattle – a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Priolo A, Micol D, Agabriel J (2001) Effects of grass feeding systems on ruminant meat colour and flavour. A review. Animal Research 50, 185–200.
Effects of grass feeding systems on ruminant meat colour and flavour. A review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Qumar M, Khiaosa-ard R, Pourazad P, Wetzels SU, Klevenhusen F, Kandler W, Aschenbach JR, Zebeli Q (2016) Evidence of in vivo absorption of lactate and modulation of short chain fatty acid absorption from the reticulorumen of non-lactating cattle fed high concentrate diets. PLoS One 11, e0164192
Evidence of in vivo absorption of lactate and modulation of short chain fatty acid absorption from the reticulorumen of non-lactating cattle fed high concentrate diets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27716806PubMed |

Ramos AO, Ferreira M de A, Véras ASC, Costa SB de M, Conceição MG da, Silva EC da, Salla LE, Souza ARDL (2013) Different fiber sources in diets based on spineless cactus in sheep feeding. Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal 14, 648–659.
Different fiber sources in diets based on spineless cactus in sheep feeding.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Rodriguez-Amaya DB (2016) Natural food pigments and colorants. Current Opinion in Food Science 7, 20–26.
Natural food pigments and colorants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Shackelford SD, Wheeler TL, Koohmaraie M (1999) Evaluation of slice shear force as an objective method of assessing beef Longissimus tenderness. Journal of Animal Science 77, 2693–2699.
Evaluation of slice shear force as an objective method of assessing beef Longissimus tenderness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10521029PubMed |

Silva APG, Souza CCE, Ribeiro JES, Santos MCG, Pontes ALDS, Madruga MS (2015) Physical, chemical and bromatological characteristics of the giant forage cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) and small forage cactus (Nopalea cochenillifera) from Paraíba state (Brazil). Revista Brasileira de Tecnologia Agroindustrial 9, 1810–1820.

SAS/STAT (2003) ‘User’s guide: basics.’ (SAS Institute Inc.: Cary, NC, USA)

Tewatia BS, Bhatia SK (1998) Comparative ruminal biochemical and digestion related physiological characteristics in buffaloes and cattle fed a fibrous diet. Buffalo Journal 14, 161–170.

Van Soest PJ (1994) ‘Nutritional ecology of the ruminant.’ 2nd edn. (Cornell University Press: New York, NY, USA)

Van Soest PJ, Robertson JB, Lewis BA (1991) Method for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. Journal of Dairy Science 74, 3583–3597.
Method for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and nonstarch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1660498PubMed |