1569
Influence of Macleaya cordata preparation on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of finishing bulls
The Macleaya cordata, is a plant of the Papaveraceae family that contains as active components alkaloids of the Benzo[c]Phenanthridine family sanguinarine and chelerythrine; and alkaloids of the protopin family as is protopine and allocryptopine. Their combined effects include mild antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and inhibition of amino acids degradation; those characteristics suggest that Macleaya cordata could modify rumen microbial activity and reflect it on feedlot cattle performance. Despite Macleaya cordata is used in Europe as feed additive for farm animals, its effects of on feedlot cattle performance are not well documented. In this research, Eighty bulls weighing 380 ± SE 2.41 kg (approximately 75% Bos taurus and 25% Bos indicus blood), were used in a 91 days feedlot experiment to evaluate the influence of Macleaya cordata preparation on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of finishing bulls. Blocked by initial weight, in a complete randomized block design with a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, bulls were assigned to treatments as follows: 1) A 89% concentrate corn-cotton seed meal finishing diet (Control); 2) Control plus daily 4 g of Macleaya cordata preparation delivering 20 mg of alkaloids (MC); 3) Control plus 40 mg of sodium monensin/kg of DM (MN); and 4) Control plus MC and MN (MM). Results were analyzed for ANOVA as a complete randomized block design with a factorial 2 x 2 arrangement. MC was offered as Sangrovit-RS® (Phytobiotics, Germany) a standardized preparation of Macleaya cordata; and monensin was supplied as Rumensin 200 ® (Elanco Animal Health, IN). Zilpaterol hydrochloride (Zilmax®; Merck Animal Health) was supplemented during latest finishing. Treatments had no effect (P > 0.15) on final weight, ADG, DMI, and hot carcass weight. The inclusion of Macleaya cordata tended to increase (P = 0.10) diet net energy for maintenance and gain (2.04 vs. 1.98 Mcal ENm/kg; and 1.38 vs. 1.33 Mcal ENg/kg). Supplementation with Macleaya cordata tended (P = 0.09) to improve DMI/hot carcass gain ratio (7.946 vs. 8.452 kg DMI/kg of carcass). The addition of MC tended (P = 0.08) to reduce KPH-fat (1.96 vs. 2.13%). Remainder carcass characteristics were not affected by treatments (P > 0.15). It is concluded that the supplementation of Macleaya cordata preparation may contribute to improve diet net energy use, feed carcass conversion, and decreases the amount of fat deposited around of kidney, pelvis and heart in finishing bulls.
Keywords: Beef cattle, Macleaya cordata, Sanguinarine.