Effects of low-voltage electrical stimulation and aging on lamb meat quality

2012 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Pouliot ◽  
C. Gariépy ◽  
M. Thériault ◽  
C. Avezard ◽  
J. Fortin ◽  
...  

Pouliot, E., Gariépy, C., Thériault, M., Avezard, C., Fortin, J., Simmons, N. J. and Castonguay, F. W. 2012. Effects of low-voltage electrical stimulation and aging on lamb meat quality. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 59–66. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation (ES) and aging time on meat quality of heavy lamb as produced in Quebec. Seventy-six Suffolk-sired crossbred male lambs were slaughtered at a target weight of 50±2 kg. Half of them were electrically stimulated (ES vs. control) at 5–10 min postmortem (21 V; 0.25 A; 60 s). Postmortem pH decline and temperature were monitored. After carcass cutting, longissimus dorsi sections were assigned to aging periods of 1, 3 or 8 d. Temperature decline was the same for both treatments (P=0.749). However, ES carcasses always had a lower pH value than controls during the first 24 h (P<0.001) while the ultimate pH was equivalent (P=0.803). Tenderness, as assessed by either Warner-Bratzler shear force (39 carcasses) or sensory evaluation (35 carcasses) was enhanced by both ES (P<0.001) and aging (P<0.001). At each aging time, tenderness was greater for ES meat. In addition, only 3 d of aging were necessary for ES meat to achieve the tenderness level attained by the controls after 8 d. Sarcomeres were longer (P<0.001) in ES meat than in controls while myofibrillar fragmentation index was not affected by ES treatment (P=0.743). Electrical stimulation also had small effects on color parameters (a*, b* and L*; P<0.01) and flavor (P=0.04). These results provide the first evidence that tenderness of the meat from heavy lambs produced and processed in Quebec could be enhanced by ES, mostly through cold shortening reduction.

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1587
Author(s):  
Archana Abhijith ◽  
Frank R. Dunshea ◽  
Robyn D. Warner ◽  
Brian J. Leury ◽  
Minh Ha ◽  
...  

The current study is a meta-analysis of the effects of electrical stimulation (ES, n = 28 papers) with different voltages combined with different ageing periods (0–3, 4–7, and 8–14 days) on the meat quality of small ruminants. A comprehensive search for published studies on meat quality of small ruminants investigating the application of low, medium, and high voltage electrical stimulation, was performed using Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Forest plots, funnel plots, and other statistical tools and tests were used in the study to analyze the results. Electrical stimulation significantly reduced ultimate pH (p < 0.001), Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) (p < 0.001), cooking loss (p < 0.05), and purge loss (p < 0.001). In addition, sarcomere length (p < 0.01), myofibrillar-fragmentation index (MFI) (p < 0.001), and color (L*, a*, b*) (p < 0.001) showed higher values in meat subjected to ES as compared with the control group. In conclusion, the meta-analysis revealed statistical proof of beneficial effects of ES on meat quality of small ruminants in terms of ultimate pH, tenderness, enhanced proteolysis, and higher colorimetric values.


Author(s):  
Isam T. Kadim ◽  
Osman Mahgoub ◽  
Waleed Al-Marzooqi ◽  
Samera Khalaf

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of road transportation during the hot season (36 oC) and low voltage electrical stimulation on meat quality characteristics of Omani sheep. Twenty intact male sheep (1-year old) were divided into two equal groups: 3 hrs transported or non-transported. The transported group was transferred to the slaughterhouse the day of slaughter in an open truck covering a distance of approximately 300 km. The non-transported group was kept in a lairage of a commercial slaughterhouse with ad libitum feed and water for 3 days prior to slaughter. Blood samples were collected from the animals before loading and prior to slaughter in order to assess their physiological response to stress in terms of hormonal levels. Fifty percent of the carcasses from each group were randomly assigned to low voltage (90 V) at 20 min postmortem. Muscle ultimate pH, expressed juice, cooking loss percentage, WB-shear force value, sarcomere length, myofibrillar fragmentation index and colour L*, a*, b* were measured on samples from Longissimus dorsi muscles collected 24 hrs postmortem at 2-4 oC. The transported sheep had significantly (P<0.05) higher cortisol adrenaline, nor-adrenaline, and dopamine levels than the non-transported group. Muscles from electrically-stimulated carcasses had significantly (P<0.05) lower pH values, longer sarcomere length, lower shear force value, higher expressed juice, myofibrillar fragmentation index and L* values than those from non-stimulated ones. Transportation significantly influenced meat quality characteristics of the Longissimus dorsi muscle. Muscle ultimate pH and shear force values were significantly higher, while CIE L*, a*, b*, expressed juice and cooking loss were lower in transported than non-transported sheep. This study indicated that pre-slaughter transportation at high ambient temperatures can cause noticeable changes in muscle physiology in sheep. Nevertheless, meat quality of transported sheep can be improved by electrical stimulation post-slaughter. 


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 655-662 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Mir ◽  
D. R. C. Bailey ◽  
Z. Mir ◽  
S. D. M. Jones ◽  
T. Entz ◽  
...  

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of European and British crossbred (EBC; no Wagyu genetics; 28 heifers and 30 steers) cattle were compared with crossbred cattle with 75% Wagyu genetics (WC; seven heifers and 14 steers) to determine the influence of Wagyu genetics on marbling grade of beef cattle fed barley-based diets in a factorial design experiment. Weaned calves (250 d average age) were fed, one of two diets (diet 1, 35% barley grain; diet 2, 40% hay cubes on DM basis, with barley silage, protein and vitamin/mineral premix) for 84 d and then fed diet 1 until they weighed 394 to 432 kg. All cattle were finished on an 80% (DM basis) rolled barley diet and slaughtered. Carcasses were graded and samples procured for meat quality and Warner–Bratzler shear force determination. Number of days on backgrounding diets to arrive at target weight (380 kg) was greater (P < 0.05) for the WC cattle, owing to relatively lower ADG, but days on the finishing diet were fewer for these cattle, compared with EBC cattle. Warm carcass yield (dressing percent) was greater (P < 0.05), but backfat depth was lower (P < 0.05) for WC cattle relative to that of EBC cattle, yet proportion of lean meat yield was similar. Eighty three percent of WC cattle carcasses had Canada AAA (small or more) marbling grade compared with 13% for EBC cattle carcasses. Mean shear force of meat samples from EBC and WC cattle was 4.2 and 3.8 kg, respectively. Results indicated that the extent of carcass marbling can be increased by incorporating Wagyu genetics but age at slaughter of WC cattle was 19 d greater than that of EBC cattle and carcass size was reduced. Key words: Average daily gain, carcass characteristics, European and British crossbred, feed to gain ratio, meat quality, Wagyu crossbred cattle


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Emanuel Eiras ◽  
Mariana Garcia Ornaghi ◽  
Maribel Velandia Valero ◽  
Dayane Cristina Rivaroli ◽  
Ana Guerrero ◽  
...  

This study evaluated the effects of diets composed by cottonseed hull and meat aging on carcass characteristics and meat quality from young bulls fed on a high-concentrate system. Thirty crossbred bulls were assigned in a complete randomized experimental factorial design with three diets (CH21: cottonseed hull 210 g kg-1on a DM basis, CH27: cottonseed hull 270 g kg-1on a DM basis and CH33: cottonseed hull 330 g kg-1on a DM basis) and different aging times (24 hours and 3, 7 and 14 days). Meat from CH27 diets presented smaller LM moisture content (p < 0.05). Total lipids were smaller in CH33 diet (p <0.05). At 24 hours, CH21 diet presented smaller LM cooking loss than other diets. The increasing aging time reduced the shear force (p < 0.001) on the LM. Meat from CH27 diet presented the highest luminosity (p < 0.05) and yellowness values (p < 0.001). Three or seven aging days presented smaller values of LM luminosity. Likewise, the increasing aging time presented greater (p < 0.05) yellowness within the LM. Lipid oxidation was lower from CH21 diet (p < 0.001). The fatty acid composition on LM was similar among diets. The use of cottonseed hull could be useful strategies to improve the meat quality and lean beef production. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 967
Author(s):  
E. C. Webb ◽  
B. Agbeniga

Context The present study investigated the effects of several electrical-stimulation parameters with conventional chilling of heavy- and light-grade carcasses from commercial feedlot cattle on selected meat-quality attributes. Aims The aim was to determine the combination of electrical-stimulation parameters that produced the most desirable results in terms of meat quality, which will serve as a guide to processors seeking to enact best processes in the meat industry. Methods Low-voltage electrical stimulation (110 V peak, 17 pulses/s, 5-ms pulse width) was applied either early post-mortem (PM) at 7 min or late PM at 45 min, for either 30 or 60 s on steer carcasses (n = 98) divided into two weight categories (light (≤260 kg) and heavy (≥290 kg) grades). The Longissimus lumborum muscle was evaluated for sarcomere length, myofibril fragment length (MFL), calpain-1, calpastatin, shear force and drip loss (3 and 14 days PM). Key results There were no significant differences in sarcomere length and no sarcomere shortening was observed. There were minor inconsistencies where early stimulation coincided with marginally longer MFL at 3 and 14 days PM, while late stimulation produced the shortest MFL at 14 days PM. Higher decline in calpain-1 concentration (mean 36.2%) was recorded in the early stimulated carcasses compared with the late stimulated carcasses (mean 29.7%) from 1 to 24 h PM, while calpastatin concentration decreased at a similar rate (mean 24%). Early stimulation resulted in lower shear force (P &lt; 0.05) at 3 days PM, especially in the heavier carcasses, indicating that higher initial temperature did accelerate tenderisation. At 14 days PM, there were no significant differences in shear force as regards stimulation time or carcass weight. Higher drip loss was however recorded in the early stimulated carcasses. Conclusions Early application of low-voltage electrical stimulation produced faster tenderisation early PM, due to higher rigor temperature, but, after aging for 14 days, all meat was acceptably tender with a lower variability, regardless of the stimulation time and carcass weight. Higher drip loss was associated with higher tenderness, which is normal and not a defect. Implications The use of low-voltage electrical stimulation should be encouraged for its ability to reduce variability in meat quality due to carcass-weight differences, especially in the current feedlot systems.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Cordeiro ◽  
L. A. Forato ◽  
R. Bernardes Filho ◽  
R. T. Nassu

ObjectivesPackaging affects meat quality and durability because it can modify the environment around the product, creating conditions that delay deterioration reactions. During refrigerated storage of fresh meat, physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory changes may occur. Thus, to meet consumer needs, such as quality, convenience, and longer shelf life, it is necessary to extend the meat shelf life. An alternative is the use of edible coatings, which can be applied as primary packaging. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chitosan and zein coatings on the meat quality of vacuum-packaged lamb meat stored for 57 d in two different temperatures.Materials and MethodsLongissimus muscle (right and left sides) from male lambs with the same diet and genetic group obtained from five animals were cut onto 2.5cm thickness steaks, randomized equally and distributed into three treatments: control (no coating), coated with chitosan (1% w/v)/0.5% glycerol (w/v) solubilized in 1% lactic acid (v/v) and coated with zein (4% w/w)/0.5% pink pepper oil (w/w) solubilized in 70% ethanol. Samples were then vacuum packaged (permeability rate: 2000 cm3/m224 h), stored for 57 d at two different temperatures (1°C and 5°C) and evaluated every 14 d by the following analyses: pH, instrumental color, water holding capacity (WHC), shear force, and TBARS- lipid oxidation. Lamb meat coated with zein or chitosan were submitted to a difference from the control test (the sample without any coating). Data were analyzed by ANOVA, and when a significant difference was found, SNK and Dunnet tests were applied for the quality analyses and sensory difference, respectively. For color analysis, ΔE = [(ΔL*)2 + (Δa*)2 + (Δb*)2]1/2 was also calculated.ResultsCoating, temperature and time showed significant differences (p < 0.05) for some of the studied variables except for WHC. A triple interaction was also found for all variables. At 1°C, ΔE from chitosan samples showed low values (ΔE = 1.95), meaning that color differences would not be noticed by time up to 29 d, although at 57 d values were 12.68. At the same temperature, zein containing samples when compared between 1 and 57 d, ΔE values varied from 5.51 to 11.42 where color changes were noticeable. At the end of 57 d, chitosan coated samples showed lower values of L* (lighter) and a* (less red) compared to zein coated and control samples. Generally, shear force values showed lower values by times, although chitosan showed higher values at 5°C. pH values varied from 5.09 to 5.48, temperature and coating did not affect this parameter, only time. For TBARS values, the highest value (0.238 mg MDA kg–1 sample) was found in the chitosan sample at 57 d at 5°C. Samples containing zein, for both temperatures, showed lower TBARS values if compared with chitosan. In this study, chitosan had a negative effect to lipid oxidation and shear force with higher values if compared to the others. In the difference from control test, lamb meat coated with zein was considered different with an average value = 4, which means moderate/great difference, (p < 0.05) from chitosan and control samples.ConclusionZein was more effective for showing lower values of TBARS and for not affecting shear force if compared to chitosan and control samples and can be used as an alternative for edible coating.


2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 58-63
Author(s):  
B Agbeniga ◽  
EC Webb

In a previous study regarding the effects of Kosher and conventional slaughter techniques on carcass and meat quality of cattle, it was speculated that electrical stimulation may have affected some of the meat qualities. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) and non-electrical stimulation (NES) on key carcass and meat quality attributes of cattle slaughtered by Kosher vs. conventional slaughter methods. Carcass pH and temperature profiles over a 24 h post mortem (pm) period, meat shear force and water holding capacity were investigated in feedlot type cattle of comparable weights and breed types. Results showed that the combined effects of slaughter methods did not influence the meat quality attributes, but there were differences within the slaughter groups. The effect of ES on carcass pH lasted longer within the conventionally slaughtered group (12 h), than in the Kosher slaughter group (6 h). Muscle samples from the ES groups for both slaughter methods were more tender. Electrical stimulation also had a significant effect on the cooking loss from Kosher meat, while there was no significant difference in meat from the conventional slaughter methods. The results show that ES influences certain meat and carcass quality attributes of cattle, based on the way cattle were slaughtered.Keywords: Carcass pH, cooking loss, drip loss, electrical stimulation, shear force, slaughter technique


Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 649 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingwu Shi ◽  
Wangang Zhang ◽  
Guanghong Zhou

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of six different aging methods (four types of moisture-permeable packaging, wet aging, and dry aging) and aging time (0, 7, and 14 d) on the quality of aging beef, especially physicochemical properties. The weight loss, aerobic bacterial counts, yeast counts, and mold counts increased with the increase of moisture permeability and aging time. However, shear force, hardness, cohesiveness, and chewiness followed an opposite trend with increasing moisture permeability. The values of L* and b* appeared to decrease in the dry-aged samples compared with those of the others. In addition, water content in dry-aged samples for 7 and 14 d showed a significant decrease. The higher myofibril fragmentation index was observed in dry-aged samples for 7 and 14 d compared with groups using moisture-permeable packaging. Meanwhile, the percentage of bound water and free water appeared to decrease with the increase of moisture permeability. Thus, different moisture-permeable packaging was able to control different levels of water loss and effectively reduce microbial contamination compared with dry aging. The changes of both myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) and distribution of water indicated that moisture-permeable packaging affected the structure of myofibrils, which influenced the shear force.


1990 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-439
Author(s):  
H. L. BRUCE ◽  
R. O. BALL

Meat tenderness may be improved by accelerating muscle metabolism or by damaging muscle structure and increasing the solubility of muscle proteins. Pre- and postrigor protein and collagen solubilities were measured in semitendinosus muscles, removed pre-rigor from 24 Charolais crossbred steer carcasses, that were either unstimulated or electrically stimulated (115 V, 0.25 amp, 60 Hz) within 1 h postexsanguination to accelerate muscle metabolism. Temperature, pH, Hunterlab color reflectance, sarcomere length and lactate concentration were measured during ageing. Shear force was measured on aged (7 d) muscle only. Low voltage electrical stimulation increased glycolytic rate as indicated by significantly (P < 0.05) lower pH and higher L-lactate concentrations of stimulated muscles as compared to control muscles. Total and sarcoplasmic protein solubilities decreased due to ageing, and myofibrillar protein solubility increased; however, collagen solubilities were unchanged. Low voltage electrical stimulation did not affect color reflectance, sarcomere length or shear force, indicating that an increased rate of glycolysis alone was not sufficient to effect increases in meat tenderness. Key words: Beef, electrical stimulation, meat quality, muscle


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wentao Cai ◽  
Kaixin Wen ◽  
Leijie Che ◽  
Haijun Zhang ◽  
Yang Zhang ◽  
...  

Beef quality is the first deciding factor for consumers to consider before purchasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of suspension and aging time on beef quality. We compared the differences in pH, drip loss, cooking loss, color, shear force, myofibril fragmentation index (MFI), and electron microscope of three muscle tissues between Achilles tendon (AT) and neck-arm restraint (NR) suspensions during seven aging periods (days 0, 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21) after slaughter using the carcasses of six Xinjiang brown cattle. We found that NR suspension could significantly increase the water loss rate and MFI, as well as reduce the shear force compared to AT suspension. The muscle fiber structure with NR suspension was more severely damaged. The proteomics of longissimus dorsi was checked for the post-mortem days 1, 7, and 14. We detected 50, 26, and 29 differentially expressed proteins between NR and AT suspension at post-mortem days 1, 7, and 14, respectively. These proteins were involved in metabolic and muscle structure associated pathways and contributed to a comprehensive understanding of suspension-dependent meat quality regulation by proteins in beef cattle. To conclude, NR suspension can accelerate the aging time of beef carcasses, which will reduce the cost of carcass suspension and bring more benefits in the beef industry.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document