The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different wet aging times on the physicochemical and sensory characteristics of meat from 10 Girolando bulls with an average age of 25 months and a weight of 517.20 ± 56.61 kg. The meat samples were obtained from the harvesting plant and taken to the meat processing facility to be randomly assigned to one of the four proposed aging times: 0, 7, 14, and 21 days. After the respective aging time, the pH of the samples was determined using a pH meter, the color spectrum (L*, a*, b*) using a handheld spectrophotometer, the cooking loss, the Warner-Bratzler shear strength, and consumer preference. The data obtained for the physicochemical variables (pH, color, loss on cooking, and shear strength) were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model. To determine the significance of the treatment effects, the DGC test was used with a significance level of 0.05. For the preference test, the data were analyzed using a table designed to estimate the significance of specific paired preference tests in forced-choice situations between two alternatives, as well as using a contingency table (chi-square). Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found for all variables evaluated, except for the a* spectrum, among the treatments. The 21-day treatment yielded the best values for the physicochemical variables, but not for the preference test, in which the 0-day treatment obtained the best results. It can be concluded that, under the conditions of this experiment, wet aging is a viable alternative for improving the physicochemical characteristics of the meat; however, further work is needed to ensure that consumers appreciate this improvement.
Instrumental color provides an objective approach to characterize the visual quality of fresh meat and its evolution during postmortem aging. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of CIEL*a*b* parameters during aging in three muscles from Mexican Hairless pigs fed with Moringa oleifera. The study was structured as a 3 × 2 factorial design, considering muscle type (Biceps femoris, Longissimus dorsi, and Musculus masseter) and aging time (24 and 168 h) as factors. The evaluated variables were L*, a*, b*, Chroma, and Hue°. Data were analyzed using multifactorial ANOVA and principal component analysis. Aging time mainly influenced a*, whereas muscle type affected Chroma. The b* coordinate showed an interaction between muscle and aging time, indicating that the evolution of the yellow component depended on the evaluated tissue. Multivariate analysis confirmed that Longissimus dorsi maintained a profile more closely associated with lightness and hue, Biceps femoris showed an intermediate response, and Musculus masseter exhibited the greatest chromatic differentiation during aging, with stronger association with the red and yellow components and color saturation. These results indicate that the instrumental color of Mexican Hairless pig meat during post mortem aging should not be interpreted as a general carcass attribute, but rather as a muscle- and aging-time-dependent response. This information may contribute to defining more precise criteria for the characterization and technological use of specific cuts from this genotype.
In the Mexican tropics, high temperatures affect semen quality and complicate the transport of refrigerated doses. This study evaluated boar semen stored at 5 °C and its effects on semen quality and reproductive performance compared with conventional storage at 17 °C. Initially, 60 ejaculates from four Pietrain/Duroc/Yorkshire boars were processed. After 24 h of stabilization at 17 °C, semen was centrifuged at 2400 rpm (800 × g) for 5 min, resuspended in LEY cooling extender containing lactose (248 mM), kanamycin (0.8 g/L), and egg yolk (20% v/v), and cooled to 5 °C over 120 min (0.11 °C/min). Semen quality was assessed upon reaching 5 °C and after 24 h of storage. For field evaluation, 84 multiparous Yorkshire/Landrace sows were inseminated post-cervically with semen stored at 5 °C (n = 42) or 17 °C (n = 42). Fertility was assessed through non-return to estrus at 21 days, transabdominal ultrasound at 42 days, and farrowing rate and litter size at farrowing. Motility, acrosomal integrity, and osmotic tolerance remained unchanged after 24 h at 5 °C (p ≥ 0.05), while viability increased significantly (91.30 ± 0.18% vs. 89.46 ± 0.18%; p ≤ 0.05). Gestation/farrowing rates were similar between treatments (85.71% vs. 80.95%; p ≥ 0.05), as were total born and live-born piglets. However, stillborn piglets were significantly fewer in the 5 °C group (0.19 ± 0.67 vs. 0.51 ± 0.98; p ≤ 0.05). These findings indicate that boar semen can be stored at 5 °C under tropical conditions while maintaining reproductive performance comparable to conventional storage. This approach offers a practical alternative for improving artificial insemination logistics and potentially reducing antibiotic use.
Phosphorus (P) is a finite resource, and its inefficient use in swine production contributes to environmental P losses; therefore, nutritional strategies that improve P utilization without compromising performance are needed. This study evaluated the effects of superdosing phytase under different calcium (Ca) and P matrix crediting schemes on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of P, and economic feasibility of pigs under commercial conditions. A total of 900 pigs (initial body weight 25.53 ± 1.95 kg) were allotted to 20 pens (45 pigs/pen; 5 replicates/treatment) and fed corn–soybean meal diets for 70 days in three phases (starter, grower, and finisher). Treatments were: 1000 FTU/kg (control), 1500 FTU/kg, 2000:1500 FTU/kg (500 FTU/kg on top), and 2000:1000 FTU/kg (1000 FTU/kg on top). Average daily gain, average daily feed intake, and feed conversion ratio did not differ among treatments (P > 0.05), although a dose × age interaction tended to occur for gain and intake (P = 0.08), with numerical improvements during the finishing phase for 2000:1000 and 2000:1500. Treatments credited at 1500 FTU/kg (1500 and 2000:1500) increased ATTD of P (P = 0.006) and ash (P = 0.0001) compared with 2000:1000; the control was intermediate for ATTD of P. Feed cost per kg of weight gain was not affected (P = 0.11), but a dose × age interaction tended to be present (P = 0.06), with differences of up to $0.23/kg during finishing. In conclusion, superdosing phytase up to 2000 FTU/kg was performance-neutral, and crediting 1500 FTU/kg for Ca and P improved P utilization, which may support its adoption to optimize P use and reduce P excretion.
The frequency of defoliation impacts the recovery, and productivity of forage plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the type of growth, forage yield, and nutritive value of African Stargrass (Cynodon nlemfuensis Vanderyst) at different frequencies of harvest to determine the range of time to optimize its utilization. The study was conducted from June through December 2019 at the Alfredo Volio Mata Dairy Cattle Experimental Station (EEAVM), in Cartago, Costa Rica. Five harvest frequencies (14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of regrowth) were used to assess morphological traits, forage yield, and nutritive value. Nutritional value was evaluated using cell wall structural components (FND, FAD and lignin), intracellular components (DM, CP, EE, Ash), dry matter digestibility (DIVDM), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (DIFND) and energy content (NEL, Mcal kg-1 DM). Lower frequency of harvest (more days of regrowth) yielded greater proportions of stems and senescent material. Forage yield increased significantly with lower frequency. The variables of nutritive value (DM (17.80-20.87 %), CP (15.38 - 18.10 %), EE (3.39 - 3.93 %), FND (59.11 - 61.78 %), FAD (27.90 - 30.11 %), NEL (1.38 - 1.44 Mcal kg-1 DM) did not show significant differences with the harvest frequencies evaluated. The integrated analysis of variables shows that harvesting of up to 42 days regrowth allowed greater biomass production with adequate nutritional value to meet the requirements of ruminant animals without affecting pasture recovery and development. Besides nutritive value, Stargrass harvested at 20 cm height and 7 leaves per shoot can be used as indicators to optimize the point for harvest.
