A comparison of phenol and indole flavour compounds in fat, and of phenolsin urine of cattle fed pasture or grain

The concentrations of phenol and indole flavour compounds in the fat of bee f cattle finished for nine weeks on either ryegrass/clover pasture or a mai ze-based grain diet were determined, and compared with urinary concentratio ns of phenols (both free and total) and with dietary parameters including p henolic acids. The concentration of skatole in the fat was significantly hi gher for the pasture-fed steers. Treatment effects on phenol concentrations in the fat were not significant for most phenols, although phenolic intake and, in most cases, urinary excretion was higher on the pasture diet. 4-Et hylphenol was a distinctive marker of the maize-based finishing diet in bot h urine and fat.