Suckling kid breed and slaughter weight discrimination using muscle colour and visible reflectance

Meat colour was evaluated in 141 male suckling kids from five Spanish breeds: Blanca Andaluza (BA), Blanca Celtibérica (BC), Moncaína (MO), Negra Serrana-Castiza (NE) and Pirenaica (PI). Kids were slaughtered at 7.5 and 11.5 kg. pH and colour were measured in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle. pH values did not differ significantly among breeds. Lightness tended to decrease and redness to increase as weight increased. BC and NE at light weight and BC and BA at heavy weight were characterized by greater lightness, chroma and hue. At both weights MO and PI were darker and showed lower values for chroma and hue. BA at light weight and NE at heavy weight were characterized by values that were between those of the former groups for all variables. Discriminant analysis based on colour and pH correctly classified 48.9% of the kids into their breed and slaughter weight.     

Effect of slaughter weight and breed on instrumental and sensory meat quality of suckling kids

The effects of breed and slaughter weight on chemical composition, fatty acid groups, texture, and sensory characteristics of meat of 141 suckling male kids from 5 Spanish breeds were studied. There was a decrease in texture and lightness and hue angle with the increase of the slaughter weight. Fatty acid composition was correlated with the intramuscular fat content. All the breeds except MO had values of n-6/n-3 ratio below 4, which is the healthy limit recommended, and a low atherogenic index as well as a low intramuscular fat content. A multivariate analysis discriminated light kid, which had the most tender and juicy meat, from heavy kid which had more intense kid and milk odours. Blanca Andaluza and Pirenaica had most tender and juicy meat. The effect of slaughter weight on meat traits should be considered separately for each breed to find the most appropriate meat according to consumers preferences.     

Estimation of factors influencing fatty acid profiles in light lambs

Fatty acid composition of intramuscular, intermuscular, subcutaneous, omental and kidney knob fat depots of eighty male light lambs (±21 kg live weight) from five Spanish sheep breeds was analysed. Fat depot, anatomical depot location (internal, external and intramuscular), breed (Spanish Merino, Grazalema Merino, Churra Lebrijana, Segureña and Montesina), weaning type (weaning at 45 days after birth or no weaning) and subcutaneous fat thickness factors were analyzed using a statistical model to quantify their contribution to the variation of each fatty acid. Production system was the main factor to explain variations in overall fatty acid profiles (34.68%). However, for several fatty acids and indices (arachidonic, linoleic, PUFA, n − 3/n − 6) anatomical depot location was the most significant factor. Feeding system explained 65.49% of CLA variance, indicating a strong influence of suckling period length on CLA deposition in lambs’ fat. Moreover, due to the lack of interaction between anatomical depot location or depot and breed type or weaning system for total CLA, for future research only one depot would be enough to study the effect of those factors on CLA levels.     

Meat and fat quality of unweaned lambs as affected by slaughter weight and breed

Sixty-four male lambs of two Southern Spanish breeds, a dairy breed (Grazalema Merino) and a meat breed (Churra Lebrijana), were used to study the effects of slaughter weight and breed on meat traits and intramuscular and subcutaneous fat composition. Lambs were reared following a traditional production system without weaning and slaughtered when live weight reached 12 kg (suckling) or 20 kg (light). Meat from suckling lambs of both breeds had lower fat and myoglobin contents, and was more tender and had higher scores for sustained juiciness in the sensory analysis. Fat from light lambs had lower C12:0 and C14:0 levels than fat from suckling lambs. Grazalema Merino meat had higher fat and ash contents, and its fat had higher conjugated linoleic acid content than Churra Lebrijana meat.     

Meat quality comparison of Berkshire, Duroc and crossbred pigs sired by Berkshire and Duroc

The object of this study is to specify features determining meat quality of Berkshire and Duroc and influence of these purebreds on meat quality of crossbred pigs. In total, 37 purebred pigs (Berkshire and Duroc: originating from line breeding in Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture, respectively) and two crossbreeds (LDB and LDD: produced by crossing Berkshire and Duroc boars to Duroc-Landrace sows) were used. Berkshire accumulated more subcutaneous and abdominal fat and had small loin eye muscle area, but accumulated less intramuscular fat than Duroc. There were no differences in meat colour and tenderness between the two purebreds. But Berkshire was less than Duroc in drip loss. As for fatty acid of inner and outer subcutaneous fat, Berkshire contained significantly higher concentration of saturated fatty acids, but had lower concentration of unsaturated fatty acid than Duroc. As a result, the melting point of inner and outer subcutaneous fat and perirenal fat of Berkshire was significantly higher than that of Duroc. Furthermore, though there was no breed difference in concentration of saturated fatty acids of intramuscular fat, Duroc had more oleic acid (C18:1) than Berkshire. Fatty acid concentrations of inner and outer subcutaneous fat and intramuscular fat as well as melting points of both subcutaneous fat layers and perirenal fat were the same in Berkshire and LDB and in Duroc and LDD. These results suggest that there were remarkable differences between Berkshire and Duroc in fat quality traits; also, both breeds as terminal sires influenced crossbred pigs' fat accumulation and fat quality traits.     

Effects of breed, diet and muscle on fat deposition and eating quality in pigs

A study in 192 entire male pigs examined the effects of breed, diet and muscle on growth, fatness, sensory traits and fatty acid composition. There were four breeds: two modern breeds, Duroc and Large White and two traditional breeds, Berkshire and Tamworth. The diets differed in energy:protein ratio, being conventional (C) and low protein (LP) diets, respectively. Muscles investigated were the ‘white' longissimus dorsi (LD) and the ‘red' psoas major (PS). Breed influenced growth rate and fatness, the modern breeds being faster-growing with leaner carcasses. However, the concentrations of neutral lipid fatty acids and marbling fat (neutral lipid + phosopholipid fatty acids) were higher in Berkshire and Duroc, in both LD and PS. Relationships between marbling fat and P2 fat thickness showed clear breed effects, with Duroc having high marbling fat at low P2 and Tamworth low marbling fat at high P2. Breed effects on sensory scores given by the trained taste panel to griddled LD and PS steaks were relatively small. Breed affected the fatty acid composition of intramuscular neutral lipid, with high % values for the saturated fatty acids, 14:0 and 16:0 in Berkshire and Tamworth (fat carcasses) and high values for polyunsaturated fatty acids in Duroc and Large White (lean carcasses). Duroc had particularly high concentrations of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, 20:5n−3 and 22:6n−3 in phospholipid of both muscles. Diet influenced growth rate and fatness, the LP diet slowing growth and producing fatter meat, more so in the two modern breeds, and particularly in intramuscular rather than subcutaneous fat. This diet produced more tender and juicy meat, although pork flavour and flavour liking were reduced. The PS muscle had higher tenderness, juiciness, pork flavour, flavour liking and overall liking scores than LD. The concentration of phospholipid fatty acids was higher in PS than LD but neutral lipid fatty acid content and marbling fat were higher in LD.     

Comparison of composition and quality traits of meat from young finishing bulls from Belgian Blue, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus breeds

Thirty-six young finishing bulls from three breeds (Belgian Blue, Limousin and Aberdeen Angus) were fattened over five months with finishing diets based either on sugar-beet pulp or on cereals. Nutritional quality traits of meat - fat content and fatty acid composition with emphasis on the n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids - along with some organoleptic quality traits were measured. The Belgian Blue bulls had the lowest intramuscular fat content associated with lower saturated and monounsaturated fatty acid contents. The polyunsaturated fatty acid content did not differ to a large extent between the breeds, the Aberdeen Angus bulls showing slightly higher values. Relative to energy intake, the overall contribution of meat to the n-3 fatty acid recommended intake was small, whatever the breed. By contrast, the contribution of meat to daily fat intake was of greater importance, especially for the Aberdeen Angus bulls. The quality traits of meat varied also according to the breed: compared to the Aberdeen Angus, the Belgian Blue bull meat had the stablest colour, the highest drip and the lowest cooking losses. The meat of Limousin bulls had intermediate characteristics for all the parameters.     

Effect of weight at slaughter on the volatile compounds of cooked beef from Spanish cattle breeds

The volatile compounds in cooked beef from the local Spanish cattle breeds, Asturiana, Avileña, Parda Alpina, Pirenaica, Retinta, Rubia Gallega, and Morucha, were studied. Bulls were slaughtered at a live weight of 300 and 550 kg and the beef was aged for seven days before cooking. Differences in volatile composition among the breeds were considerable and may contribute to the perception of flavour differences in the cooked beef. Peak area values for dimethyl sulfide, which could be related to cauliflower notes, were highest for the meat from the Pirenaica breed. Levels of the detected volatiles, especially sulfur compounds, in the beef from the Asturiana breed were low-intermediate and were potentially related to blood and liver notes and unpleasant flavours. Avileña stood out among the rustic breeds because of its high values for 1-octene, methylcyclohexane, tetradecane and carbon disulfide, while Retinta displayed high 2,3,4-trimethylpentane levels. The effect of weight at slaughter was influenced by breed, because, except for octane, all the volatile compounds behaved differently according to the breed. Ethanol was characteristic of animals with a high percentage intramuscular fat content, and carbon disulfide was characteristic of animals slaughtered at the lower of the two live weights considered.     

Composition and estimation of intramuscular and subcutaneous fatty acid composition in Spanish young bulls

Sixty Pirenaica yearling intact bulls were raised and slaughtered at 519±50kg live weight and 371±18 days of age. Fatty acid composition of intramuscular lipids in longissimus dorsi muscle and subcutaneous fat were determined by capillary gas chromatography. Carcass conformation and fatness, carcass weight, ether extractable intramuscular fat percentage, marbling, dorsal fat thickness, and ultrasonic parameters were recorded to study the relationship between these traits and fatty acid profile. Lipids of subcutaneous adipose tissue had higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) percentage (49% vs. 33%) but lower saturated fatty acids (SFA) (51% vs. 46%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (16% vs. 5%) percentages than intramuscular fat depots (p<0.001). Fatter carcasses had higher MUFA percentage and lower PUFA percentage (p<0.01) in intramuscular fat. Carcass weight and conformation would contribute to explain the fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat (p<0.05). Ultrasound readings reflected the effect of fatness on fat composition.     

Lipid composition of the intramuscular fat of beef from Spanish cattle breeds stored under modified atmosphere

The lipid composition of intramuscular fat from 30 young bulls of 5 Spanish cattle breeds (Asturiana de los Valles, Morucha, Parda Alpina, Pirenaica and Retinta) was studied. Steaks from each shortloin were packaged in 60% O(2), 30% CO(2) and 10% N(2) and aged for 0, 5, 10 and 15 days. Lipid classes obtained by thin layer chromatography and total fatty acids obtained by gas chromatography were evaluated. Meat from Asturiana de los Valles had high PL and C contents, and low TG contents that reflected its low intramuscular percentage content. This breed showed high FFA content that likely originated from lipolysis of PL. The main breed effect was due to the low intramuscular fat content observed in the Asturiana de los Valles. After 5 days, FFA decreased because they were probably transformed into other compounds. The Morucha breed may have a genetic predisposition for depositing MUFA, and the high MUFA and C14:0 values observed in the Morucha breed were likely due to its high intramuscular fat percentage. Regarding fatty acid composition, no "days of storage" effect was observed for any of the studied fatty acids, except for C18:3ω6 that increased during the first 5 days of storage in Asturiana de los Valles. Concerning the fatty acid composition, Asturiana de los Valles had the highest PUFA/SFA ratio, while Parda Alpina and Morucha possessed low ω6/ω3 ratios but high C22:6ω3 contents. Finally, the presence of C22:6ω3 and 15-CH(3)-C16:0 may be related to higher intramuscular fat contents.     

Effect of breed-type on the relationships between intramuscular and total body fat in steers

The partitioning of total dissectible body fat and the amounts of intramuscular fat in Psoas major, Semitendinosus and Biceps brachii muscles were determined in two groups of A. Angus and AA × Nelore steers with similar averages of total dissectible fat (27·7 kg). In addition, the fatty acid composition of total fat and the triglyceride fraction from dissectible and intramuscular fats were determined.

The AA × Nelore steers have higher levels of subcutaneous fat and lower levels of intermuscular fat than the A. Angus but contain lower levels of intramuscular fat in the three muscles. The allometric regressions varied according to the muscle and breed type. The fatty acid composition of subcutaneous and kidney fats were similar but differences in the percentages of 14:0, 18:0, 18:2 and 20:4 fatty acids in intramuscular fats between the two genetic groups were detected.     

Effect of protein level in commercial diets on pork meat quality

This study assessed the effect of protein level on meat quality, intramuscular and subcutaneous fat, instrumental texture and sensory attributes on Longissimus dorsi in pork. Animals were fed two experimental diets that produced two animal groups with different percentages of intramuscular fat (IMF) (1.76 vs. 2.63). There were no significant differences in meat quality or texture profile analysis parameters between IMF groups. The percentage of saturated fatty acids was also similar, but the percentage of monounsaturated was significantly higher in the group with higher IMF and the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was higher in the group with lower IMF. IMF groups had little effect on the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat. Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values were significantly higher in the group with lower IMF, whereas tenderness was higher in the group with higher IMF. Finally, WBSF appeared to be a good predictor of the tenderness for grill-cooked pork.     

Animal factors affecting the meat quality of Australian lamb meat

This paper integrates the key industry findings from the twelve preceding papers in this special edition of Meat science. In so doing, various animal factors important for the quality of Australian lamb meat are highlighted for sensory, visual appeal and human health attributes. Intramuscular fat concentration (IMF) was found to be a key element of eating quality that interacts both positively and negatively with a range of other factors. Shear force, IMF, colour stability and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) will likely respond to genetic selection whilst other omega-3 fatty acids require nutritional intervention. Australian lamb meat can generally be regarded as a good source of the minerals iron and zinc; and a source of omega 3 fatty acids when finished on green pasture. Breeding priorities for meat quality will likely depend on breed type with improvement of meat colour stability more important for the wool focused Merino breed and improvement of sensory quality for the terminal sire breeds.     

Effect of including linseed in a concentrate fed to young bulls on intramuscular fatty acids and beef color

The effect of varying concentrate composition to include 5% linseed and 200 IU of vitamin E on the growth performance, fatty acid composition, and muscle color during shelf life was assessed in 46 young Pirenaica bulls finished to two fatness levels. Adding 5% linseed lowered the dressing rate without altering daily gain or carcass classification. It likewise did not alter the total saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated fatty acids in the intramuscular fat, though the percentage of α-linolenic acid and n − 3 fatty acids increased significantly while the n − 6 fatty acid to n − 3 fatty acid ratio decreased. Higher subcutaneous fat cover depth at slaughter increased the total percentage of oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids without affecting the percentage of saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. Adding 200 IU of vitamin E in addition to linseed did not alter the color of film-wrapped fresh meat during storage in darkness.     

The influences of carcass weight and depot on the fatty acid composition of fats of suckling Manchego lambs

The effects of carcass weight (<5.5 kg, 5.5–6.5 kg, ⩾6.5 kg) of Manchego suckling lambs, type of fat depot of the leg (subcutaneous, intermuscular and intramuscular) and muscle (m. longissimus dorsi (LD) or m. quadriceps femoris (QF)) on the fatty acid composition were studied. Carcass fatness increased with increasing carcass weight. However, few differences in fatty acid proportion were observed between the three carcass weight groups. The lightest carcasses had lower proportions of myristic (C14:0) and palmitoleic (C16:1) acid and higher proportions of stearic (C18:0) acid, desirable fatty acids (DFA) (C18:0 + total unsaturated fatty acid (TUFA)) and a greater nutritive value ((C18:0 + C18:1)/C16:0). The fatty acid composition of subcutaneous and intermuscular fat depots of the leg were similar, whereas the intramuscular fat depot was different from both of these, since it had a lower proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA), a greater proportion of TUFA, higher PUFA/SFA and n − 6/n − 3 ratios, and greater DFA and nutritive values. The intramuscular fat of the LD was more saturated than QF, higher SFA, and had lower value of PUFA/SFA ratio and DFA. These results indicated that the intramuscular fat quality of the leg was better than subcutaneous and intermuscular fat depots and also that intramuscular fat displayed better attributes of quality (lower SFA, higher TUFA, and greater PUFA/SFA ratio and DFA as well) than intramuscular fat of the LD from the consumer health standpoint. Despite carcass weight affected carcass fatness, it did not seem to influence the proportions of saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. For this reason, carcass weight probably had little effect on the organoleptic characteristics of the meat.     

Effect of an elevated monounsaturated fat diet on pork carcass and meat quality traits and tissue fatty acid composition from York-crossed barrows and gilts

Fifty-seven York-crossed barrows and gilts were fed either a grain and soy diet (CONTROL with 28% C18:1) or a similar diet enriched with oleic acid (HO with 43% C18:1, Greedy-Grass OLIVA®). There were no interactions between dietary treatment and gender and there were no differences in intramuscular and subcutaneous fatty acid composition between sexes (P > 0.05). Similar primal cut yields, composition of major primal cuts, and carcass and meat quality characteristics were found for HO and CONTROL fed pigs. Apart from a few significant but small differences for some fatty acids, intramuscular fatty acid composition was similar for both dietary treatments. Subcutaneous fat from HO fed pigs had a 6.9% increase in total monounsaturated fatty acids and a 9.3% reduction in total polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) compared with CONTROL fed animals, without adversely affecting carcass quality and producing suitable hams for processing by the meat industry.     

Breed, slaughter weight and ageing time effects on physico-chemical characteristics of lamb meat

The effects of breed, slaughter weight and ageing time on the meat quality of the three most important Spanish breeds were considered. Two hundred and twenty-five lambs of Rasa Aragonesa-local meat breed-, Churra-local dairy breed- and Spanish Merino were used. Animals (75 of each breed) were slaughtered at three different live weights (10–12, 20–22 or 30–32 kg), and the meat was aged for 1, 2, 4, 8 or 16 days. The meat pH, colour, amount of haem pigments, intramuscular fat, moisture, hydroxyproline content and sarcomere length were measured at 24 h post-mortem. Meat texture was measured by compression after each ageing time. The pH of the samples ranged from 5.50 to 5.58. Meat colour varied with breed and slaughter weight (P ⩽ 0.01), the M. longissimus thoracis was lighter in the youngest animals and in the Churra breed and redder in Merinos. Intramuscular fat increased and moisture decreased for heavier lambs. Differences in collagen were associated with breed (P ⩽ 0.01); total and insoluble collagen contents were higher in the Churra breed. Sarcomere length was only slightly affected by slaughter weight. Meat from the Churra breed had the highest values at high levels of compression. Suckling lambs (10–12 kg) had greater myofibrillar toughness than heavier lambs and ageing strongly influenced myofibrillar tenderness.     

Variation in fatty acid contents of milk and milk fat within and across breeds

The aim of this research was to study the potential for selection of cows with a higher nutritional quality of milk fat by studying the differences in fatty acid profiles within and across the following breeds: Dual Purpose Belgian Blue, Holstein-Friesian, Jersey, Montbeliarde, and non-Holstein Meuse-Rhine-Yssel type Red and White. Six hundred milk samples from 275 animals were taken from 7 herds. Several types of fatty acids in milk and milk fat were quantified using mid-infrared spectrometry and previously obtained calibration equations. Statistical analyses were made using a mixed linear model with a random animal effect. The variance components were estimated by using REML. Results showed breed differences for the fatty acid profile. The repeatability estimate obtained in the present study may suggest the existence of moderate additive genetic variance for the fatty acid profile within each breed. Results also indicated variation for each analyzed milk component in the whole cow population studied. Genetic improvement of the nutritional quality of milk fat based on fatty acid profiles might be possible, and further research and development are warranted.     

The effect of breed-production systems on the myosin heavy chain 1, the biochemical characteristics and the colour variables of Longissimus thoracis from seven Spanish beef cattle breeds

The effect of breed-production system on the myosin heavy chain 1 (MHC-I), the biochemical characteristics and the colour variables of longissimus thoracis (LT) from seven beef breeds was studied: Asturiana de la Monta?a (AM), Asturiana de los Valles (AV), Avile?a-Negra Ibérica (A-NI), Bruna dels Pirineus (BP), Morucha (MO), Pirenaica (PI) and Retinta (RE) (Age at slaughter between 368 and 541 days; carcass weight between 249 and 334 kg). Significant differences between breed-production systems were found for all traits evaluated. LT from the MO, a rustic type breed, was the most oxidative (MHC-I, 39.3%; isocitrate dehydrogenase activity, 52 nmol min(-1) mg(-1); pigment content, 188.4 μg acid haematin g(-1)) and showed a low L* value (32.6) and high a* and C* values (24 and 27.2, respectively). In terms of meat colour (L* and a*) the canonical discriminant analysis separated the breeds into two groups, the AV, the PI and the A-NI (the lightest ones) from the AM and the MO breeds (the reddest and darkest) whereas the BP showed an intermediate position. The RE and the A-NI were distinguished from the others by their high intramuscular fat content. Meat colour was affected by the muscle biochemical traits in the breed-production systems studied.