Organic meat quality of dual purpose young bulls supplemented with pea (Pisum sativum L.) or soybean

BACKGROUND: One of the main constraints established by organic legislation that limits the development of the rearing of young bulls is the ban on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO). Most of the worldwide cultivated soybean is GMO, therefore the use of alternative protein sources should be evaluated. The effect of the dietary substitution of soybean with pea (Pisum sativum L.) on carcass characteristics and meat quality of dual purpose young bulls reared following the organic method was investigated. RESULTS: Twenty-four young bulls of Rendena breed were randomly assigned to 2 diet treatments differing in protein supplement (soybean, SB, vs. pea, FP). Carcass characteristics and the meat chemical composition, color, cooking loss and Warner-Bratzler shear force were not difference between groups. Regarding the fatty acids composition of meat, SB showed higher concentrations of C18:0, C18:1t, and lower C16:1n-9c, C14:0, C17:1n-9c, C18:1n-9c than FP. Trained judges, in the descriptive sensory analysis, were not able to differentiate meats from SB and FP that had also similar overall liking expressed by consumers. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that FP can substitute SB in the diet of dual purpose young bulls with a minor influence on fatty acids composition, and no effect on carcass characteristics and meat quality.