Impact of Cattle Feeding Strategy on the Beef Metabolome

Author(s)

Morales Gomez, Juan Fernando ; Brandao Consolo, Nara Regina ; Antonelo, Daniel Silva ; Beline, Mariane ; Gagaoua, Mohammed ; Higuera-Padilla, Angel ; Colnago, Luiz Alberto ; Gerrard, David Edwin ; Silva, Saulo Luz

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: METABOLITES; v. 12, n. 7, p. 14-pg., 2022-07-01.

Abstract

The present study explored changes in the meat metabolome of animals subjected to different finishing systems and growth rates. Thirty-six Angus Chi Nellore crossbred steers were used in a completely randomized design with four treatments: (1) feedlot system with high average daily gain (ADG; FH); (2) feedlot system with low ADG (FL); (3) pasture system with high ADG (PH); and (4) pasture system with low ADG (PL). After harvest and chilling, Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle samples were taken for metabolite profile analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance. Spectrum was analyzed using chenomx software, and multi- and mega-variate data analyses were performed. The PLS-DA showed clear separation between FH and PL groups and overlap among treatments with different finishing systems but similar for matching ADG (FL and PH) treatments. Using a VIP cut-off of around 1.0, ATP and fumarate were shown to be greater in meat from PL cattle, while succinate, leucine, AMP, glutamate, carnosine, inosine, methionine, G1P, and choline were greater in meat from FH. Comparing FL and PH treatments, glutamine, carnosine, urea, NAD+, malonate, lactate, isoleucine, and alanine were greater in the meat of PH cattle, while G6P and betaine were elevated in that of FL cattle. Relevant pathways were also identified by differences in growth rate (FH versus PL) and finishing system were also noted. Growth rate caused a clear difference in meat metabolism that was highlighted by energy metabolism and associated pathways, while the feeding system tended to alter protein and lipid metabolism. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/12694-3 - Applications of NMR and infrared spectroscopies in the non-destructive analysis of products and agroindustrial processes
• Grantee: Luiz Alberto Colnago
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 20/08845-3 - The metabolomic approach to improve Nellore beef tenderness: a concept of metabotype and biomarkers
• Grantee: Nara Regina Brandão Cônsolo
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• FAPESP's process: 18/01434-8 - Effect of the finishing system, rate of gain and slaughter criteria on meat quality characteristics of Angus x Nellore cattle
• Grantee: Juan Fernando Morales Gomez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 18/25320-1 - Effect of finished systems on postmortem metabolism in cattle
• Grantee: Juan Fernando Morales Gomez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate