Use of sweet lupin (Lupinus albus L. var. Multitalia) in feeding for Podolian young bulls and influence on productive performances and meat quality traits

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sweet lupin (Lupinus albus L. var. Multitalia) as a substitute for soybean (Glicine max [L] Merr.) in feed for young Podolian bulls on productive performance and meat quality. The steers were divided into 2 homogeneous groups and were fed on durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) straw and a complete pellet feed containing 20% sweet lupin seeds or 16.5% soybean. Productive performances were similar for both groups. The pH2 values of Longissimus lumborum and Semitendinosus muscles were both close to isoelectric point of proteins. No differences were shown between groups regarding the colour characteristics of both muscles or the tenderness of cooked meat. No statistical differences were found between diets regarding the fatty acid profile of meats, excepting the significantly higher incidence of linoleic acid in the meat obtained using soybean feed. In conclusion, comparable results were obtained when soybean was replaced with sweet lupin seeds in complete pellet feed for Podolian steers.