Effects of canola and soya lecithins compared with canola oil and seed on performance, carcass quality and body fat composition of growing bulls

Fattening bulls (six pet treatment) were fed rations supplemented either wi th raw or modified (deoiled and deoiled/partially hydrolyzed) canola lecith ins or deoiled soya lecithin at 30 g/kg DM on a fatty acid basis. These wer e also compared with rations supplemented with canola oil or crushed canola seed. No differences occurred in liveweight gain, feed conversion efficien cy or carcass trails. The elevated proportions of odd-chain fatty acids fou nd in the body fats indicate that lecithins might affect lumen fermentation less than oils. Trends in lumen fluid ammonia concentration suggest a redu ced luminal protein degradation with lecithins. Polyenoic fatty acids were highest with canola oil in kidney fat and intermuscular fat. The fatty acid profile of body fat depended more on the origin of lecithin (canola vs soy abean) than on the exchange of oil or technological lecithin modifications. Consequently, canola lecithins can replace canola oil without greater effe cts on growth and carcass yield and only minor variation in carcass fat com position.