Beef production in tropical regions plays a fundamental role in global food security and in the economic development of many countries, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and parts of Asia. In these regions, cattle production is predominantly based on grazing systems that utilize extensive areas of natural or cultivated pastures. However, this activity is often associated with significant environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, low productive efficiency, and the conversion of natural areas into pastureland. In the face of these challenges, the adoption of sustainable production practices has become essential to reconcile increased productivity with environmental conservation and economic viability. Among the main strategies to promote sustainability in tropical cattle production are proper pasture management, the recovery of degraded areas, sustainable intensification of production systems, and the adoption of technologies such as crop–livestock–forest integration. These practices contribute to improving land-use efficiency, increasing productivity per unit area, and reducing pressure for the expansion of the agricultural frontier. In addition, advances in genetic improvement, animal nutrition, and herd health have enabled significant gains in productive performance and feed efficiency, thereby reducing the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of product. Another important aspect involves the adoption of practices related to animal welfare, traceability within the production chain, and the efficient management of natural resources, factors that are increasingly valued by consumer markets. In this context, sustainable beef production in the tropics depends on the integration of environmental, social, and economic approaches, promoting more resilient and efficient production systems capable of meeting the growing global demand for animal protein in a responsible manner.

A nutrição mineral é fundamental no desempenho produtivo, na saúde e na eficiência dos sistemas de confinamento de bovinos de corte. Tradicionalmente, minerais inorgânicos têm sido utilizados na formulação de dietas. Entretanto, sua biodisponibilidade pode ser limitada por interações químicas no rúmen e no trato gastrointestinal, resultando em menor aproveitamento e maior excreção mineral no ambiente. Nesse contexto, os minerais orgânicos, caracterizados pela ligação do mineral a compostos orgânicos, como aminoácidos, peptídeos ou leveduras, surgem como uma alternativa nutricional com maior estabilidade e absorção intestinal. Estudos indicam que a suplementação com minerais orgânicos, especialmente microminerais como zinco, cobre, manganês e selênio, pode melhorar o ganho de peso, a eficiência alimentar e a resposta imunológica de bovinos confinados, sobretudo em condições de estresse metabólico e sanitário. Além disso, há evidências de efeitos positivos sobre as características de carcaça e a qualidade da carne, bem como sobre a redução da excreção mineral, contribuindo para a sustentabilidade ambiental dos sistemas intensivos de produção. Apesar dos efeitos positivos relatados, a literatura apresenta variabilidade nos resultados, atribuída principalmente às diferenças entre as fontes de minerais orgânicos, as formas químicas, os níveis de suplementação, as interações com a dieta basal e as condições de manejo dos animais. Dessa forma, torna-se necessária a condução de estudos, especialmente em sistemas de confinamento sob condições tropicais, visando elucidar os mecanismos de ação, estabelecer níveis ótimos de inclusão e avaliar, de forma integrada, os impactos produtivos, metabólicos, econômicos e ambientais da suplementação com minerais orgânicos em bovinos de corte. O objetivo do presente estudo foi revisar os principais aspectos relacionados ao uso de minerais orgânicos em sistemas de confinamento.

The objective of this study was to investigate the potential carryover effect of narasin (NAR) supplementation during the backgrounding phase on subsequent feedlot performance and gastrointestinal morphometrics of finishing Nellore bulls. Ninety-six bulls were used in a 2 & times; 2 factorial design, evaluating conditional NAR supplementation on the backgrounding phase (control [CON] or NAR) and finishing supplementation (sodium monensin [MON] or NAR), resulting in four treatments as follows: 1) CON+MON, 2) CON+NAR, 3) NAR+MON, and 4) NAR+NAR. During the backgrounding phase, NAR-fed cattle showed reduced dry matter intake (DMI) expressed in kilograms and as a percentage (P <= 0.03), however, it did not significantly affect final body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), or feed efficiency compared with the CON-fed cattle (P >= 0.14). In the finishing phase, neither backgrounding nor finishing supplementation, nor their interaction, had significant effects on BW, ADG, DMI, feed efficiency, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, or gastrointestinal morphometrics (P >= 0.11). Relative to CON+NAR and NAR+MON, cattle fed NAR+NAR showed reduced fluctuation in DMI throughout the entire experiment (%; P <= 0.02); however, fluctuations, even above 10% in some treatments, did not lead to reduced ADG or increased rumenitis incidence. We conclude that dietary supplementation with NAR did not enhance performance or gastrointestinal development in Nellore cattle during backgrounding or finishing, nor was a carryover effect observed between phases. Although NAR-fed cattle in the finishing phase performed similarly to those receiving monensin, the absence of a negative control limits interpretation, warranting further research on its role in stabilizing dry matter intake.

Strategies aiming to reduce dietary intake of sodium are being implemented based on studies that show that excessive sodium intake is associated with negative health effects. This study was realized to evaluate hamburgers with replaced sodium chloride (NaCl) by 20, 40 and 60% of potassium chloride (KCl) and the display time (1, 3 and 7 days). Still, essential oils (oregano and thymol) were used as additives on chemical composition, pH, water losses, texture, colour, antioxidants activities and lipid oxidation. The replacement of NaCl by KCl had no effect (P > 0.05) on chemical composition, pH, water losses, texture, and antioxidant effects of the beef hamburgers. L* values increased (P < 0.05) linearly with increasing KCl, while a* values decreased (P > 0.05) linearly. On the other hand, display time increased (P < 0.05) pH, dripping losses and decreased (P < 0.05) cooking losses. The values of L*, a* and b* decreased (P < 0.05) during display time. Display time increased antioxidant activities measured by all parameters and lipid oxidation. In conclusion, the gradual replacement (20, 40 of 60%) of NaCl by KCl and the inclusion of essential oils did not alter the physicochemical parameters of beef hamburgers.

Several sanitary measures must be adopted during the milking process to minimize the transmission of mastitis-causing agents that can be transferred to the milk, depreciating its microbiological quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an emulgel composed by propolis and clove essential oil in post-dipping for lactating cows. For the in vitro inhibition test against Staphylococcus aureus, was observed a greater effectiveness (88%) of clove essential oil (Syzygium Aromatum) comparing to the other components of the emulgel. For the field test, five animals were used for the control group (iodine) and five animals with emulgel (hydrated Carbopol® + propolis and essential oil of leaf clove) as post-dipping, applied daily to the teats of lactating cows with the aid of conventional applicators after milking. Milk samples were collected on days 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28, for the evaluation of milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC) and microbiological evaluation. No significant effects were observed for the variable fats and SCC (p > 0.05). However, for the protein variable, effects were significant for the interaction between the control group, the emulgel and the evaluated days (p < 0.05). The lactose variable showed significant effects for the evaluation days (p < 0.05). The staphylococcal count in milk was similar for both evaluated groups. The emulgel has promising characteristics for use as a post-dipping disinfectant.

Chlorella and spirulina are sources of active components that act as antioxidants and can improve the quality of meat products during their shelf life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensory acceptance and purchase intention of consumers of beef burgers added with chlorella and spirulina. Five treatments were studied: CONT – Control (without natural antioxidants), SP0.25 – 0.25% spirulina, SP0.50 – 0.50% spirulina, CH0.25 – 0.25% chlorella and CH0.50 – 0.50% chlorella. The burgers were evaluated in relation to the purchase intention test, ordering test, acceptance tests using a 9-point hedonic scale (9 = I extremely like it; 1 = I I extremely dislike it) for sensory evaluation of aroma, color, texture, flavor and general acceptability and a questionnaire on consumption habits of beef burgers. The SP0.25 burger was the preferred one among consumers, followed by CH0.25, with purchase intention of 82% and 70% respectively. Burgers with lower concentrations of chlorella and spirulina were better accepted sensorially, which indicates the possibility of using chlorella and spirulina in small quantities as natural antioxidants in fresh products of animal origin. The results of this study show that it is possible to use safe ingredients or products in the production and acceptability of meat-based derivatives, such as hamburgers made with beef. Low concentrations of chlorella and spirulina were accepted, indicating the potential to use chlorella and spirulina in small amounts as natural antioxidants in fresh animal-based products.

This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation of four different buffers into a high-grain diet on ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, and feeding behavior of feedlot cattle. Five rumen-cannulated bulls (492 ± 24 kg) were distributed in a 5 x 5 Latin square design, through the treatments: CONT (no buffer), RUMO, RUMF, BICA and ALGA. The buffers did not alter (p > 0.05) the apparent digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fluid pH, volatile fatty acid profile, and acetic/propionic ratio compared to the CONT. Except for propionic and isovaleric acids, which were different (p < 0.05) among treatments at 4 and zero hours after feeding, respectively. Ruminal lactic acid accumulation was greater (p < 0.05) in BICA, while ammoniacal nitrogen concentrations were highest (p < 0.05) in CONT and lowest in RUMF. Blood glucose and creatinine were unaffected (p > 0.05), whereas urea and lactate concentrations were reduced (p < 0.05) in RUMO. Among the enzymes, only gamma-glutamyl transferase and creatine kinase showed treatment effects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, feeding and drinking times were unaffected by treatments; however, rumination increased (p < 0.05) in BICA, and idleness was higher in CONT. Overall, buffer inclusion modified ruminal and metabolic responses, indicating a possible modulation of ruminal acidosis.

This study evaluated the effects of a phytogenic feed additive - a blend of tannins, flavonoids, and essential oils - on intake, performance, and carcass traits of feedlot-finished Nellore cattle. The additive was hypothesized to enhance performance by modulating ruminal fermentation, favoring more efficient energy utilization pathways. Ninety-six intact Nellore bulls (357.4 ± 25.9 kg) were assigned to 24 pens (4 animals/pen) and fed high-concentrate diets for 116 days. Treatments included: 1) control diet and 2) control plus the phytogenic additive blend. Cattle receiving the phytogenic blend showed a significant reduction in dry matter intake (DMI) as a percentage of body weight (P = 0.04) without changes in final body weight, average daily gain, or carcass ultrasound traits. A numerical improvement in feed efficiency (3.3%; P = 0.19) was observed, along with increased selection for long particles (P = 0.02), potentially indicating altered feeding behavior. No differences were detected in fecal starch content or total starch digestibility. While the phytogenic blend did not significantly enhance performance or carcass traits, the reduction in intake without impairing productivity suggests a potential improvement in feed utilization efficiency. Further research is needed to refine dosing strategies and evaluate their effects under varying feeding conditions.

This study was conducted to evaluate the Brazilian habits and meat acceptability of beef from bulls finished in pasture (PASTU), feedlot (FELOT) and pasture + feedlot (PRIME) production systems and four ageing time (1, 3, 7 and 10 days). The profile of the interviewees was mostly women (58.6%), under 40 years (39.3%), with a family income between two and six minimum wages (44.8%) and a university education level (43.1%). Most people consume meat four or more times a week (58.6%). The place of purchase is in the supermarket (60.3%) and the appearance of the meat is the most important factor at the time of purchase (50.0%). The first 3 preferred cuts are top-quality (11.9%). There is no preference for gender and production system. The meat from bulls of the PASTU system was the best evaluated. Display time linearly reduces the visual scores of the meat. The purchase intention, in the first seven days, was for the meat from the PASTU system. The display time linearly reduced the purchase intention. The five attributes: color, odor, flavor, texture and acceptability, the meat from the FELOT system bulls obtained the highest scores (P < 0.05), while for the meat from the PASTU and PRIME systems the scores were similar (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the meat from the PASTU system obtained the best scores in visual evaluation and purchase intention, but the meat from the FELOT system obtained the best sensory evaluations. Display time linearly reduced visual assessment and purchase intention of meat.

The foods considered functional are those that, when consumed, can bring several health benefits. Within these are the plants of the genus Plantago, which have been widely studied for their benefits to human health, due to their properties as a gelling agent, suspending agent, pharmacological actions, cicatrizing, cholesterol controller, reducer of high blood sugar levels, and widely used as a laxative, due to its mucilage, which is a fibrous material with hydrophilic characteristics. From the plant by grinding the seeds psyllium is obtained, it is water-soluble and widely used in industry as green alternatives to traditional synthetic materials. The following review is based on studies of the different ways of using psyllium with known results, bringing information that can be useful for future research and the development of new products.

This work was realized to study the antimicrobial activity, pH, ammonia, antioxidant activity, volatile acid fatty and in the liquor rumen of different additives combinations (monensin – MONE, monensin + virginiamycin – MO+VI and monensin + mineral traces + yeast – MO+MY) compared to control – CONT (without additives). The antimicrobial activity was studied against four strains of Gram-positives ruminal bacteria and seven strains of Gram-negatives ruminal bacteria. The concentration of MONE was 37.7 g/L, MO+VI was 42.7 g/L and MO+ML was 39.3 g/L. Cultivation was performed at 39° C, and bacteria growth was evaluated by quantifying the optical density (OD) at 600 nm using a spectrophotometer. Optical density was evaluated before and 8, 12, and 24 hours after incubation. The Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens and Lachnospira multipara bacteria growth was inhibited (P < 0.05) by MONE, MO+VI and MO+MY treatments at the three times (8, 12 and 24 hours). The greatest growth inhibition of these three bacteria occurred in the MO+VI treatment, in comparison with the MONE only or the MO+MY combinations. MONE e MO+MY treatments showed a sign of bacteriostatic activity; whereas the MO+VI treatment indicates a sign of bactericidal action. The three compounds studied showed inhibitory activity lower against Streptococcus bovis growth in the three studied periods (8, 12 and 24 hours). The greatest inhibitory activity was observed in the MO+VI additives’ combinations and the lowest for the MO+MY additives combinations, being intermediate for monensin only. The additives addition had a little effect on the microbial growth of Prevotella albensis and Prevotella bryantii bacteria, intermediary on Prevotella ruminicola and Anaerovibrio lipolyticus bacteria and strong activity on Ruminobacter amylophilus.

Extensive beef systems in the tropics are the cheapest but require more land and longer rearing times with environmental impact. This study was carried out to evaluate three beef bull’s production systems in tropics: pasture-based system (PASTU), feedlot system immediately after weaning (FELOT) and a system with the combination of rearing in pasture and finishing in feedlot (PRIME) on animal performance and carcass characteristics of 30 bulls crossbred Angus x Nellore. The final weight, average daily gain and carcass weight (hot and cold) were higher (p < 0.050) for the FELOT system, intermediate for the PRIME system and lowest for the PASTU system. The carcass dressing (hot and cold), dripping losses, ratio (Longissimus dorsi) and degree of finishing were similar (p > 0.050). The carcass pH24h was higher for the PRIME system (p < 0.010). Subcutaneous fat thickness (mm) was lower for the PASTU system (p < 0.050). Marbling was better for the PRIME system. The tissular composition was similar among systems related to muscle percentage but PASTU showed the highest bone percentage (p < 0.050) and lowest of adipose (p < 0.050). PRIME enable cost-effective, fast beef production with less environmental impact.

Two in vitro batch culture experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of 30 different species of seaweeds found along the Canadian coast and Asparagopsis taxiformis on in vitro degradability, gas production (GP), methane (CH4), and volatile fatty acids (VFA) production in an alfalfa hay diet. Experiment 1 examined the inclusion of 5% dry matter (DM) of 26 seaweeds and A. taxiformis as a positive control. Experiment 2 examined five seaweed species and a seaweed blend at increasing inclusion rates (0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%, and 5.0% DM). The composition of seaweeds varied greatly. Asparagopsis taxiformis decreased (P < 0.01) GP (mL/g DM disappearance (DMD)) and completely inhibited (P < 0.01) CH4 production (mL), leading to modifications (P < 0.01) in the VFA production profile. Shoreblend (Chondrus crispus, Fucus vesiculosus, Furcellaria lumbricalis, Laminaria longicruris) included at 5% decreased (P < 0.01) CH4 yield (mL/g DMI, mL/g DMD) by 12.2% without altering VFA production. In conclusion, A. taxiformis exhibited strong anti-methanogenic potential, and incorporating 5% DM of Shoreblend in high forage diets could potentially mitigate CH4 emissions from ruminants. The Shoreblend was the only seaweed that showed potential within an in vitro batch culture to inhibit CH4 production.

This study was realized to evaluate the influence of monensin, virginiamycin,trace minerals and yeast combination on animal performance, feed efficiency, in situ digestibility, feeding behavior, and carcass and meat characteristics from bulls finished in feedlot fed high-grain diet. A total of 36 (European vs. Nellore) bulls at 24 ± 3.2 months of age and with a body weight (BW) of 385.5 ± 3.84 kg were used in a completely randomized design. The four experimental diets were: CONT – without additives; MONE – inclusion of 30 mg of monensin/kg of DM; MOVI – inclusion of 30 mg of monensin + 30 mg of virginiamycin/kg of DM; MOMY – inclusion of 30 mg of monensin/kg of DM + 0.3 g/kg of BW of trace minerals and yeast. Final body weight was higher (P < 0.05) for the bulls fed MOVI (558.7 kg) and MOMY (554.6 kg) diets, intermediate for bulls fed MONE (529.3 kg) diet, and lower for bulls fed CONT (514.6 kg) diet. Likewise, the average daily gain was higher (P < 0.01) for bulls fed MOVI and MOMY (2.02 kg/d), intermediate for bulls fed MONE (1.72 kg/d), diet and lower for bulls fed CONT (1.57 kg/d) diets. Dry matter intake and other nutrients were similar (P > 0.05) among treatments. However, feed conversion improved (P < 0.05) for bulls fed MOVI and MOMY diets. Animals fed MOVI and MOMY spent more time ruminating compared to animals fed CONT and MONE (P = 0.034) diets. The carcass weights, carcass dressing and backfat thickness were greater (P < 0.05) for the bulls fed MOVI and MOMY diets. In conclusion, the inclusion of monensin or a combination of monensin + virginiamycin or monensin + trace minerals and yeast resulted in higher animal performance and improved feed efficiency.

A demanda por produtos que sejam saborosos, visualmente atrativos e que, ao mesmo tempo visem à saúde e o bem-estar vem crescendo, tornando-se um desafio para a indústria de alimentos moderna. Devido a crescente busca por produtos cárneos mais saudáveis devido ao seu alto teor de gordura, é importante sugerir ingredientes mais saudáveis, mas também capazes de substituir a gordura e o psyllium tem sido usado como um ingrediente com potencial de aplicação importante em novos produtos alimentícios. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o perfil do consumidor e aceitabilidade de hamburgueres de carne bovina desenvolvidos substituindo gordura suína por mucilagem de psyllium. O uso de mucilagem de psyllium como substituto de gordura suína não interferiu na aceitabilidade de outros parâmetros (cor, aroma, sabor) e apresentaram uma melhor textura em comparação aos outros tratamentos, podendo ser usado como substituto de gordura.