A theoretical approach of the relationships between collagen content, collagen cross-links and meat tenderness

This work concerns the relationship between meat tenderness and the rubber-like properties, i.e. pressure and elastic modulus, that endomysium and perimysium connective tissues develop when meat has been heated to a temperature above which collagen contracts. For rest length meats with similar intramuscular connective tissue morphology, and which are at the same ageing state and pH, the elastic modulus of the collagenous fraction of connective tissues is approximately proportional to the total number of collagen cross-links present per volume of meat. Calculations from various published experiments concerned with the effect on tenderness of muscle type, animal age, type, and sex from different species show that this modulus follows most of the variations of meat toughness. Moreover, the proportionality between the increase in this elastic modulus and the increase in meat toughness approaches unity in situations where toughness mainly depends on connective tissues. This work demonstrates the decisive role of rubber-like properties of connective tissues in meat tenderness variations.     

The effects of different cooking regimes on the cook yield and tenderness of non-injected and injection enhanced forequarter beef muscles

The aim was to investigate the effect of different cooking regimes on the cook yield and tenderness of non-injected and brine injected (0.5% residual NaCl) bovine M. triceps brachii caput longum (TB), M. supraspinatus (SP) and M. pectoralis profundus (PP). Injected and non-injected TB, SP and PP muscle sections (400 g) were (a) conventionally oven cooked to 72 °C or cooked slowly (using a Δ10 programme) to 72 °C or (b) cooked in a water bath to 72 °C or cooked in a water bath to 55 °C and held at this temperature for 2 h before heating to 72 °C. In addition, injected PP muscle sections were oven cooked to 69 °C and held at this temperature for up to 12 h. Slow cooking using a Δ10 programme had no significant (P < 0.05) effect on WBSF values of injected or non-injected SP and TB muscles but significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the WBSF values of injected and non-injected PP muscles when compared to conventional cooking. Slow cooking significantly (P < 0.05) increased % cook yield of injected PP, SP and TB muscles. Staged cooking significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the WBSF values and had no significant effect on sensory tenderness ratings of non-injected TB, SP and PP muscles and injected PP muscles. Staged cooked injected or non-injected PP, SP and TB muscles had lower % cook yield values than those cooked straight to 72 °C. Increasing the cooking time of injected PP muscles at 69 °C to 8 and 12 h decreased % cook yield, decreased WBSF values and increased sensory tenderness ratings. It also alleviated the problem of residual chewiness which was evident in PP muscles cooked using the other regimes.     

The effect of nutritional supplements on growth rate, stress responsiveness, muscle glycogen and meat tenderness in pastoral lambs

Nutritional supplements and a magnesium bolus and were used in lambs in a 2×2 factorial design to investigate the effect on growth, preslaughter stress measurements, muscle glycogen, and meat quality. In total, 64 Perendale lambs were used (32.7±0.53 kg, mean±SEM). Feed supplemented animals received 150 g feed pellets day⁻¹ in addition to pasture grazing, and this increased growth from 183 to 207 g day⁻¹. Mean delivery of Mg from the boluses was 0.17 g day⁻¹ for 28 days, with no effect on growth rates, or any other of the variables measured. Urinary noradrenaline, adrenaline and cortisol did not differ between groups in the immediate pre-slaughter period. The meat ultimate pH was not different between groups and had a mean range of 5.47–5.53. Muscle residual glycogen did not differ between groups and had a mean range of 42–43 mmol kg⁻¹. Finally there were no differences in shear force values at all ageing times. The final shear force value of 2.5 kg F after 72 h ageing at 15 °C was a low value representing tender meat. These studies indicate that if nutrition is adequate and stress levels are low, there are no differences in meat tenderness of pasture fed lambs compared with those having feed supplements to increase growth rate.     

超声波处理对结缔组织胶原蛋白和肉嫩度的影响

近年来,有许多研究报道了超声波在肉嫩化中的应用.超声波处理对肉质构的影响主要是由于超声波直接或间接的"空化效应".本文综述了超声波技术在肉类工业中的应用,主要阐述了不同频率和强度超声处理对肉"背景硬度"-肌内结缔组织及胶原蛋白特性的影响;同时,预测了超声波技术在肉类工业中的应用.     

Effect of feeding treatment during the backgrounding phase of beef production from pasture on: I. Animal performance, carcass and meat quality

This research evaluated effects of feedlot backgrounding on 40, 70 or 100% alfalfa hay diets (40hay, 70hay; 100hay, respectively) or pasture grazing (Pasture) before pasture finishing, on performance and beef characteristics of Angus heifers. Ninety six female calves were allocated to the four feeding strategies. Backgrounding took place during 114 days and subsequent pasture finishing over 132 days. Heifers of each strategy were slaughtered after 114 days (end of the feedlot period) and at end of the study when all remaining animals were finished on pasture. Effects of backgrounding were associated with rate of gain. Backgrounding strategies 40hay and Pasture resulted in the best performance. Beef attributes were similar. At the end of the feedlot period, 100hay was smaller and leaner, less tender and less juicy. At the end of the study, Pasture and 40hay heifers had on average the largest back fat thickness and intramuscular fat measurements. No treatment effects were detected for Warner-Bratzler shear force, muscle pH, muscle color and sensory panel attributes.     

Walnut, microbial transglutaminase and chilling storage time effects on salt-free beef batter characteristics

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to assess the effect of walnut content (W), microbial transglutaminase/sodium caseinate (MTG/C) content and storage time (ST) at 3 °C on water- and fat-binding properties, texture profile analysis and dynamic rheological characteristics of salt-free beef batters. Walnut addition favoured the binding properties and elastic modulus (G′) of raw meat batters (20 °C); however, increasing amounts of walnut caused G′ to decrease at 70 °C. MTG/C had no effect on binding properties, but it did cause increases in the hardness of cooked meat batters and in the rheological properties of both raw and cooked samples. The products formulated with MTG/C and stored for up to 11 days at 3 °C presented good gel-forming ability; however, binding properties were poor, so that other ingredients like walnut were needed to improve the binding properties of the products.     

Using shear force,sarcomere length,particle size,collagen content,and protein solubility metrics to predict consumer acceptance of aged beef tenderness

In this study, the relationship between sensory evaluation and several objective metrics of beef tenderness was tested. Objective metrics included shear force, sarcomere length, collagen content, myofibrillar, and sarcoplasmic protein solubility and particle size analysis. These results were compared to consumer panel scores of tenderness for the same aged beef striploin (longissimus lumborum muscle) samples. There was found to be a significant relationship between sarcomere length, shear force, and particle size with tenderness scores. Collagen content and protein solubilities were not associated to tenderness scores (p > 0.05). Sarcomere length contributions for explaining tenderness variation were overlapped by the contributions of shear force (collinearity). Independent models demonstrated that the lower 95% confidence interval of the fitted regression line exceeded 50% acceptance of tenderness when shear force values <42.6 N and when particle size values <198 μm. We can recommend these as thresholds for consumer acceptance of beef tenderness, although considerations of sample type, analytical methodology, and consumer demographics should be made prior to their adoption. This provision was based on the variation in tenderness scores evident between individual panelists and experimental striploins.     

热处理对肉类蛋白特性及有害物质产生的影响研究进展

肉类是人类获取重要蛋白质的主要来源,而热处理是肉类食用前不可或缺的加工环节。在热处理过程中,一系列的生化反应基本从改变肉蛋白质的特性开始,不同的热处理技术在赋予肉类显著风味的同时也会引起蛋白质特性发生显著改变。在三维结构上,热处理后肉类蛋白可以变性并形成聚集体。在分子水平上,热处理改变了蛋白质的一级结构,影响了包括蛋白质羰基化、芳香残基的修饰和美拉德反应产物的形成。此外,热处理还会引起大量有害物的形成。因此,探究热处理后肉类蛋白特性及有害物产生是确定肉类加工机制和更好控制其产品营养和功能特性的关键。本文系统综述了肉类在经过不同热处理后的蛋白特性(变性、聚集和氧化)以及有害物质(杂环胺和多环芳烃)生成和减控的策略,以期为肉类加工企业、中央厨房以及家庭饮食中获得安全、健康的高质量肉类提供实用指南和理论基础。     

Impact of pulsed electric fields and post‐mortem vacuum ageing on beef longissimus thoracis muscles

The impact of pulsed electric field (PEF) processing (0.2–0.6 kV cm^?1, 1–50 Hz, 20 μs) followed by vacuum ageing (1 and 3 days) on the quality traits of beef longissimus thoracis (LT) was assessed. The results show that pH, colour stability (L*, a* and R630/580 values) and cooking loss were unaffected by PEF treatments, whilst moisture content significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by 0.7–3.6%. No significant (P > 0.05) difference was found in shear force between PEF treated and untreated samples. However, the shear force values significantly reduced in response to ageing times regardless of the PEF treatments. After 3 days post‐treatment ageing, the shear force decreased by 20–22% compared to 1 day ageing for all samples. Furthermore, Cryo‐SEM results suggest that PEF treatments have led to more porous tissue structure leading to more water loss. Protein profile was unchanged by PEF treatments applied.     

三种弱有机酸结合NaCl腌制对牛肉肌束膜和肌内膜胶原蛋白热力学特性影响

探讨三种弱有机酸(乳酸、醋酸和柠檬酸)结合NaCl腌制处理对牛肉肌束膜和肌内膜胶原蛋白热力学特性影响。牛半腱肌肉于4℃条件下分别经1.5%弱有机酸并与2%NaCl结合浸泡腌制24h,用差示扫描量热法研究肌束膜和肌内膜胶原蛋白热力特性(起始、最高和最终热收缩温度)在腌制处理过程中的变化。结果表明:3种弱有机酸的单独腌制处理后牛肉肌束膜胶原蛋白含量要比与NaCl的结合腌制处理低。不同腌制处理组之间,牛肉肌内膜胶原蛋白含量都有不同程度的差异。牛肉经腌制处理增强了肌内膜胶原蛋白的稳定性和部分处理组牛肉肌束膜胶原蛋白的热稳定性。      

Relationships between biochemical characteristics and meat quality of Longissimus thoracis and Semimembranosus muscles in five porcine lines

Five porcine genetic lines which represent a high proportion of European pig production were fully characterized for meat quality parameters and muscle biochemical characteristics (Longissimus thoracis, LT, and Semimembranosus, SM). The line characterisation was based on 100 animals each representing Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Piétrain (Halothane negative) and Meishan (a Meishan/Large White crossbred line) prevalent genetic backgrounds. Different meat quality parameters (pH 45min, pH ultimate, electrical conductivity, and colour measurements), as well as muscle water holding capacity, muscle metabolic and contractile traits, fibre type, size and frequencies were measured and their relationships studied. The main differences in the LT were found between the Meishan and Piétrain genetic lines, in relation to the muscle fibre size (larger in Piétrain). The Duroc line was characterized by the muscle oxidative traits and the Landrace by the high percentage of fast glycolytic fibres. In SM, Duroc and Piétrain were distinguished from Landrace and Meishan according to the metabolic and contractile characteristics of this muscle. Large White tended to lie between the other breeds for many of the traits. The measured muscle characteristics were related to differences in drip loss and marbling values and could thereby influence the eating quality of pork. Overall the results show differences between the genetic lines for a number of muscle traits which could have impact on consumer appeal and eating quality. The present findings should serve to emphasise the importance of including eating quality as a trait in breed selection.     

An evaluation of over-wintering feeding strategies prior to finishing at pasture for cull dairy cows on live animal performance,carcass and meat quality characteristics

Fifty-six spring calving Holstein–Friesian dairy cows (body weight = 607 kg and body condition score = 2.75), destined for culling, were randomly assigned to one of four experimental treatments. Cows were confirmed non-pregnant by rectal palpation. The experiment was split into two periods: over-wintering period (OWP) and spring finishing period (SFP). Animals were assigned to one of four treatments: a control group (C) was slaughtered after am milking on day 0; three dietary treatments, two of which were dried pre-experiment; ad libitum grass silage (GS + G); 75% grass silage and 25% straw (GS + S); and one with the extended lactation concept applied, cows were offered grass silage plus 6 kg concentrate DM/cow/day and milked twice daily (EXTLAC). EXTLAC cows were dried-off 1 week prior to turnout. The OWP lasted 84 days. Subsequent to the OWP cows were turned out to pasture (SFP). All cows were finished to a pre-defined carcass specification; >272 kg cold carcass weight, P + carcass conformation class and 3 carcass fat class. Over the entire experimental period, average daily gain (ADG) was lower (P < 0.001) for the EXTLAC treatment compared with the two other dietary treatments. The GS + G treatment finished 33 and 38 days (P < 0.001) earlier than the GS + S and EXTLAC treatments, respectively. Total feed utilized on a DM basis was 1.9, 2.0 and 2.5 tonnes/cow for the GS + G, GS + S and EXTLAC dietary treatments, respectively. All finishing treatments resulted in a significant improvement in carcass weight, as well as carcass quality traits, compared to the C group. A significant improvement occurred in muscle redness between the C group and treatments offered a finishing period prior to slaughter.     

草鱼鱼鳞、鱼皮和鱼骨酸溶性胶原蛋白特性对比研究

从草鱼鱼鳞、鱼皮和鱼骨中提取酸溶性胶原蛋白(ASC),对其特性进行对比分析。紫外光谱和电泳图谱结果显示,3种ASC紫外特征吸收峰出现位置与I型胶原蛋白紫外特征吸收峰出现的位置基本一致,分子结构都至少含有两条α链;傅里叶红外光谱显示,草鱼鱼鳞、鱼皮和鱼骨ASC在酰胺A带的N-H伸缩均以氢键形成缔合体,酰胺Ⅰ带和酰胺Ⅲ带的特征吸收峰表明鱼鳞和鱼骨ASC的α-螺旋结构保存较完整,鱼皮ASC的α-螺旋结构已经被破坏;3种ASC在热稳定性方面存在一定差异,热变性温度鱼骨ASC(34.5℃)鱼皮ASC(32℃)鱼鳞ASC(31℃),可能与胶原存在的组织和所处的环境有关。     

The effect of production system and age on levels of iron, taurine, carnosine, coenzyme Q(10), and creatine in beef muscles and liver

Samples of longissimus (LL) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles from Angus-cross heifers finished either on a high-concentrate ration in Washington, USA, (US cattle, n = 15) or on pasture in New Zealand (NZ cattle, n = 16) were assessed for composition characteristics. Half of the NZ cattle were of a similar age to the US cattle (NZAge) and half were of a similar weight (NZWt). Iron concentration was higher in TB (20.9 vs. 17.5 μg g⁻¹; P < 0.001) and was higher for the NZWt group than the NZAge group or the US cattle. The proportion of iron as haem iron was highest for the NZWt group (87.3%; P < 0.01), but the proportion as soluble haem iron was highest for the US cattle. For a sub-group of 10 pasture-finished cattle, iron levels in cheek muscle were higher than for LL or TB, and liver levels were 66% higher than cheek muscle. The proportion of haem iron, however, was lowest in liver (55.3%) and was lower in cheek muscle (78.4%) than LL or TB. Relative to LL, TB had higher levels of taurine and coenzyme Q₁₀, but lower levels of carnosine, creatine and creatinine, as expected for a muscle with a more aerobic metabolism. These differences were magnified for the even more aerobic cheek muscle. Differences between the two NZ groups were small, but muscles from the US cattle contained less taurine, carnosine, coenzyme Q₁₀, and creatinine. Reasons for these differences in various meat components for similar cattle from different production systems are not clear.     

Influences of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and total lysine content on growth, carcass characteristics and meat quality of heavy pigs

To assess the effects of dietary CLA, lysine and sex on performance, blood metabolites, carcass characteristics, meat quality and skeletal development, seventy-two pigs (initially 105.3 ± 6.6 kg live weight) barrows and gilts, were assigned to one of four diets in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. The diets contained 0% or 0.75% CLA, and 0% or 0.16% of l-lysine–HCl. All pigs were slaughtered at an average weight of 153.4 ± 11.0 kg. Neither CLA nor lysine supplementation influenced growth, blood metabolites or carcass characteristics. CLA reduced (P < 0.05) pH₂₄ and increased (P < 0.01) yellowness (b^*) of the Longissimus muscle. Lysine increased (P < 0.01) pH₂₄ and reduced (P < 0.01) muscle ash content. CLA reduced (P < 0.05) collagen synthesis, and lysine increased (P < 0.05) collagen synthesis in Longissimus muscle, but no influence on intramuscular collagen maturity or muscle hydroxylysylpyridinoline crosslink concentration were observed. In addition, metacarpal bone diameter was reduced (P < 0.05) by CLA. Barrows had higher ADG, final weight (P < 0.01), carcass weight, lean percentage (P < 0.05), serum cholesterol (P < 0.05) and triacylglycerol (P < 0.001) than gilts. Metatarsal diameter was larger in gilts than barrows (P < 0.05).     

The effect of heat stress on thyroid hormone response and meat quality in turkeys of two genetic lines

The current study evaluated the effect of heat stress on thyroid hormone (T(3) and T(4)) response and meat quality traits in two turkey lines: a growth-selected commercial line and a genetically unimproved control line. Birds were subjected to heat stress for different durations before harvest. Commercial line had higher pH(15min), and lightness values, but lower cook loss and marinade uptake than control line during the heat stress. There was no difference in drip loss between the two lines. The T(3) concentration was positively correlated with cook loss and was negatively correlated with marinade uptake. The thyroid hormone response during heat stress was less stable in the commercial line than in the control line and the unstable thyroid hormone response in commercial turkeys caused by heat exposure might influence the consistency of meat quality. Results of this study may provide an application in selecting turkeys which yield consistent meat quality.