Physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid profiles of muscle tissues from Hanwoo steers fed a total mixed ration supplied with medicinal plant by-products

OBJECTIVE: Using medicinal plant by-products (MPBP) as feed additives may be an eco-friendly option as substitutes for feedstuffs and may assist in reducing the improper disposal of MPBP. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the influences of MPBP on the meat quality of Hanwoo steers fed a total mixed ration (TMR). METHODS: Twenty seven steers (body weight = 573±57 kg) were randomly divided into three treatments with a control group and two tested groups as follows: control, 1,000 g/kg TMR; treatment 1 (MPBP30), 970 g/kg TMR and 30 g/kg MPBP; treatment 2 (MPBP50), 950 g/kg TMR and 50 g/kg MPBP. RESULTS: Average daily gain, feed conversion ratio and the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage L* of muscle were improved (p<0.05, respectively) by MPBP30. Stearic acid (C(18:0)) was decreased (linear effect, p = 0.012), while oleic acid (C(18:1)) was increased (linear effect, p = 0.055) by MPBP level. Saturated fatty acid (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) were decreased for MPBP50 while unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) were increased for MPBP 50. USFA and SFA ratio was increased for MPBP50 as well. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that MPBP supplementation in Hanwoo steers fed a TMR increased feed efficiency and meat color (lightness) with altering fatty acid proportions. Therefore, MPBP may be successfully used in ruminant feeding.