%0 Journal Article
%T Exploration of Microencapsulation of Arginine in Carnauba Wax (Copernicia prunifera) and Its Dietary Effect on the Quality of Beef.
%A Contreras-Lopez G
%A Garcia-Galicia IA
%A Carrillo-Lopez LM
%A Corral-Luna A
%A Buenabad-Carrasco L
%A Titulaer M
%A Villarreal-Balderrama JA
%A Alarcon-Rojo AD
%J Animals (Basel)
%V 14
%N 13
%D 2024 Jun 23
%M 38997969
%F 3.231
%R 10.3390/ani14131857
%X The objective of this exploratory study was to assess if microencapsulated arginine influences the physicochemical quality of beef. The study included three genetic groups: Angus, Hereford, and Angus × Hereford crossbreed. Two encapsulation systems were used with carnauba wax, at ratios of 3:1 and 2:1, carnauba wax:core (arginine), respectively. A control treatment was also included with no arginine addition. Encapsulated arginine with a 3:1 ratio increased redness by 19.66 at 28 d aged beef compared to the control and 2:1 ratio with values of 18.55 and 16.77, respectively (p = 0.01). Encapsulated arginine at a 3:1 ratio showed the lowest meat shear force values with 24.32 N at 28 d of ageing (p < 0.001). The Angus breed also had a low value of 24.02 N (p < 0.001). Finally, the highest values of intramuscular fat were observed with the inclusion of arginine in a 3:1 ratio. The fat value reached 2.12% with a 3:1 ratio (p = 0.002), while in the Angus breed it was 1.59%. The addition of carnauba wax-encapsulated arginine can improve meat quality. It enhances red color, tenderness, and marbling in bovine meat.