Effect of vitamin E, potassium, and alcohol-fermented feed supplementation before transport on body weight, carcass characteristics, and meat color of Hanwoo steers; Efeito da suplementação com vitamina E, potássio e ração fermentada com álcool antes do transporte sobre o peso corporal, as características da carcaça e a cor da carne de bovinos Hanwoo; Efecto de la suplementación con vitamina E, potasio y alimento fermentado con alcohol antes del transporte en el peso corporal, características de la canal y color de la carne de novillos Hanwoo

초록

Background: During cattle transport, not only does weight loss occur due to transport stress, but meat quality also deteriorates because of changes in meat color. Hence, stress induced by transportation causes economic losses for livestock farms. Objective: To investigate the effect of vitamin E, potassium, and alcohol-fermented feed supplementation before transport on body weight, carcass characteristics, and meat color of Hanwoo steers. Methods: Forty steers were divided into four treatment groups, with 10 animals per group, housed in two pens per treatment. The experimental treatments were as follows: (1) Vitamin E supplemented at 500 IU/ head/day. (2) Alcohol-fermented feed provided at 1.58 kg/head/day for six months prior to transport. (3) Potassium supplemented at 1.45% of the daily feed intake one day before transport. (4) A control group (not supplemented). Transportation loss, carcass characteristics, and meat surface color were measured. Data were analyzed using GLM (Generalized Linear Model) and Duncan’s Multiple Range Test in SAS (v. 8.01; 2000). Results: Weight loss due to transport stress was lower in the treatment groups than in the control, particularly in the potassium-treated group. Meat color, redness, clarity, and hue angle were significantly improved in the treatment groups compared to the control. However, fat color, marbling score, back fat thickness, carcass percentage, and meat production index showed no significant differences among treatments. Conclusion: Supplementation with alcohol-fermented feed, potassium, or vitamin E before transport enhances productivity by reducing body weight loss and preventing deterioration in meat color caused by transportation stress. © 2025 Universidad de Antioquia.

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