Qualitative feed restriction for late finishing pigs on meat quality and fatty acid profile

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of including cashew bagasse bran (CBB) as a food ingredient in qualitative feed restriction programs on the carcass traits and meat quality of barrows and gilts. Twenty–four crossbred pigs (12 barrows and 12 gilts) were used, with an average initial body weight of 57.93 ± 3.67 kg/LW. The experimental design was a randomized block 3x2 factorial arrangement with three levels (0%, 15% and 30% CBB), two sexes (barrows and gilts) and four repetitions. The treatments were composed of the basal diet (BD) formulated with corn, soybean meal and a commercial base mix for finishing pigs, to which different levels of CBB were added. At the end of the trial period, the animals were slaughtered for the evaluation of the meat quality and carcass traits. The inclusion of CBB in the diets did not affect the carcass traits of the gilts but affected the carcass traits of the barrow positively, increasing theyield of meat in the chilled carcass and reducing the thickness of subcutaneous fat. In the longissimus dorsi muscle and in the adipose tissue of the pigs, the myristic (C14:0), palmitoleic (C16:1), oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), linolenic (C18:3) and arachidonic (C20:4) fatty acids were evaluated, and no effect was observed (P > 0.05) from the levels of CBB in the diets. In the comparisons between the sexes, a greater concentration of C20:4 fatty acid was observed in the carcass of the gilts. In this context, CBB was considered for use as a feed ingredient in programs of qualitative feed restriction for finishing pigs.