Enhancing conjugated linoleic acid content in beef by altering dietary forage level, unsaturated fat supplementation or feeding rumen protected conjugated linoleic acid

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) acts as an anticarcinogen and repartitioning agent. CLA is naturally occurring in ruminant fat and results from the incomplete ruminal biohydrogenation of linoleic acid. In experiment 1, six duodenally cannulated steers were used in a 3 X 2 factorial arrangement (12, 24, or 36% forage; 2 or 4% oil) to determine a the dietary forage and oil level that increased CLA and C18:1-trans flow to the small intestine. In experiment 2, thirty-six heifers were fed one of three diets: 1) control (12% forage), 2) control plus 4% corn oil, or 3) control plus 2% rumen protected CLA for the last 32 or 60 days of finishing. Dietary treatments did not alter animal performance, carcass characteristics, or meat quality. Total CLA percentage was of longissimus muscle was greater for rumen protected CLA fed animals.