Effects of varying levels of coated cysteamine hydrochloride in diet on growth performance and carcass quality of steers.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of different levels of coated cysteamine HCl (CSH) supplementation on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality in Charolais crossbred cattle.

Methods: Twenty-four Charolais crossbred steers, aged 24-30 months with an initial body weight of 418 ± 31 kg, were assigned to three dietary treatments: 0% (control), 0.5%, or 1.0% CSH in concentrate. The steers were fed the experimental diets for 200 days.

Results: Increasing CSH levels in concentrate diets led to significant increases (p < 0.05) in body weight, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, and dressing percentage. CSH supplementation reduced shear force values and cooking loss (p < 0.05). Meat lightness was significantly greater in the 1.0% CSH-supplemented group (p < 0.05). With increasing CSH levels, the proportion of high-value cuts, such as rib set and T-bone, increased (p < 0.05), while the proportion of lower-value cuts, including macreuse, shank, and tendons, decreased (p < 0.05). Non-carcass weights, including the feet, head, digestive tract, and scraps, were significantly higher in the 1.0% CSH-supplemented diet (p < 0.05). The meat's chemical composition did not differ significantly among the treatment groups (p > 0.05). Muscle fiber diameter was significantly larger in the 1.0% CSH-supplemented group (p < 0.05). Monounsaturated fatty acids increased (p < 0.05) with higher CSH levels, whereas polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acids exhibited a significant decrease (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Dietary supplementation with CSH improves growth rate, carcass traits, and meat quality in steers. An inclusion level of 1.0% CSH in concentrate is the optimum feeding dosage, indicating its potential as an effective feed additive for enhancing beef production efficiency.