Influence of the Use of Milk Replacers and pH on the Texture Profiles of Raw and Cooked Meat of Suckling Kids

Antibacterial activity of polyethylene film by hyperthermal hydrogen induced cross-linking with chitosan quaternary ammonium salt

In this study, hyperthermal hydrogen-induced cross-linking (HHIC) technology was applied to construct a dense cross-linking layer of antibacterial chitosan quaternary ammonium salt (HTCC) to PE surface through the selective cleavage of CH bonds and subsequent cross-linking of the resulting carbon radicals. Before HHIC treatment, UV-Ozone was used to activate PE surface to facilitate HTCC adsorption. FT-IR and XPS analyses proved the successful cross-linking between PE and HTCC. From AFM analysis, the prepared PE cross-linked HTCC film (PE-c-HTCC) showed the rougher surface with average roughness (Ra) of 9.16 nm. The water vapor permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP) values of the film were decreased by about 83 % and 97 %, respectively. Additionally, the film exhibited strong antibacterial properties against E. coli and S. aureus. In terms of these properties, the shelf life of fresh beef could be extended for 2 days after packing with the PE-c-HTCC film.

Contribution to Characterizing the Meat Quality of Protected Designation of Origin Serrana and Preta de Montesinho Kids Using the Near-Infrared Reflectance Methodology

The aims of this study were to describe and compare the meat quality characteristics of male and female kids from the "Serrana" and "Preta de Montesinho" breeds certified as "Cabrito Transmontano" and reinforce the performance of near-infrared reflectance (NIR) spectra in predicting these quality characteristics and discriminating among breeds. Samples of Longissimus thoracis (n = 32; sixteen per breed; eight males and eight females) were used. Breed significantly affected meat quality characteristics, with only color and fatty acid (FA) (C12:0) being influenced by sex. The meat of the "Serrana" breed proved to be more tender than that of the "Preta de Montesinho". However, the meat from the "Preta de Montesinho" breed showed higher intramuscular fat content and was lighter than that from the "Serrana" breed, which favors its quality of color and juiciness. The use of NIR with the linear support vector machine regression (SVMR) classification model demonstrated its capability to quantify meat quality characteristics such as pH, CIELab color, protein, moisture, ash, fat, texture, water-holding capacity, and lipid profile. Discriminant analysis was performed by dividing the sample spectra into calibration sets (75 percent) and prediction sets (25 percent) and applying the Kennard-Stone algorithm to the spectra. This resulted in 100% correct classifications with the training data and 96.7% accuracy with the test data. The test data showed acceptable estimation models with R2 > 0.99.

Nutritional Quality of Meat from Barren Merino Ewes in Comparison to Meat from Traditional Lambs

In Spain, lamb consumption has decreased over the last few years. To increase farmers' income, we studied the nutritional quality of the barren ewes' meat in comparison to traditional lambs' meat with 10 barren ewes, 10 male lambs, and 10 female lambs from the Merino breed. We measured the subcutaneous fat, muscle color, and carcass tissue composition, as well as proximal composition, mineral, tocopherol, retinol, lutein, and cholesterol contents, and the TPA texture profile, fatty acid profile, and lipid oxidation of the meat. There was no effect of the animal type (males, females, and ewes) on the pH, and the differences in the subcutaneous fat color, lipid oxidation, and texture were irrelevant from a practical point of view. The tissue composition in the three groups of animals reflected a high percentage of saleable meat, with no penalty incurred for intensive fattening in any of the groups. The ewes' meat presented a higher percentage of moisture, collagen, ash, calcium, iron, α-tocopherol, and retinol than the lambs' meat. In addition, it had higher content of DHA and CLA and lower values for the ratio n6/n3, which is beneficial for health, although it also contained more fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol than the lambs' meat.

Impact of gilt immunocastration on weight losses and instrumental and chemical characteristics of Teruel dry-cured ham

A total of 32 fresh hams intended for the Spanish Protected Designation of Origin "Teruel ham" were used to evaluate the impact of gilt immunocastration (vs. entire gilts) on weight losses during the dry-curing process. After processing, 20 dry-cured hams (10 of each group) were chosen at random to assess instrumental and chemical characteristics. Hams from immunocastrated gilts tended (P = 0.057) to present lower weight losses, they were fattier (P < 0.05) at both subcutaneous and intramuscular levels and had lower (P < 0.05) water activity and volatile compounds that provide unpleasant odors than those from entire gilts. However, immunocastration increased (P < 0.05) slightly sodium chloride and sodium nitrite contents, being normal levels. Fatty acid profile was not significantly affected (P > 0.05). It can be concluded that, in general, immunocastration could be a good strategy in gilts to improve the quality of Teruel dry-cured ham.

Monitoring the variations in physicochemical characteristics of squab meat during the braising cooking process

Braised squabs are traditional Chinese foods. However, the processing is highly experience dependent and lacks a theoretical basis. Hence, a comparative study of the physicochemical properties in different processing stages of braised squabs was necessary. We observed the physicochemical changes in the processing stages of braised squabs (raw meat, braised meat, and fried meat). The color parameters, moisture content, and drip loss rate gradually decreased during the processing. On the contrary, crude protein content and pH value were upregulated in the processing stages of braised squabs. Furthermore, the diameter of muscle fiber significantly increased in the braised meat and further decreased in the fried meat compared with the raw muscle fiber. Similarly, hardness, springiness, and chewiness were also increased in the braised step and decreased in the fried step. Additionally, the contents of essential amino acids remain unchanged. Hence, our results provided a certain reference value on the production of braised squabs.

Assessment of Quality Indices and Their Influence on the Texture Profile in the Dry-Aging Process of Beef

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the dry-aging method on the sensory properties, chemical composition, and profile parameters of the texture of beef obtained from local farms. The qualitative characteristics of the beef were investigated for five samples, respectively, fresh meat, and dry-aged beef for 14, 21, 28, and 35 days, in aging rooms with controlled parameters: temperature (1 ± 1 °C), relative humidity (80 ± 5%), and air circulation speed (0.5–2 m/s). During the dry-aging period, there was a decrease in humidity by about 6.5% in the first 21 days, which allowed the concentration of fat, protein, and total collagen content. The dry-aging process considerably influenced the pH value of the meat, which, in the second part of the dry-aging process (14–35 days), increased from 5.49 to 5.66. These values favored the increase by 37.33% of the water retention capacity and the activation of the meat’s own enzymes (calpain, cathepsin, collagenase). This influenced the solubilization process of proteins and collagen, thus contributing to the improvement of the texture profile. Because variations in organoleptic and physicochemical parameters occurred simultaneously during dry-aging and storage, the method of analyzing the information was applied. Mutual information on the influence of physicochemical indicators on the texture profile parameters was followed, a factor of major importance in the consumer’s perception. The degree of influence of soluble proteins, sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins, fats, and soluble collagen content on the texture profile parameters (hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness) of the dry-aged beef for 35 days was established. These investigations allowed the optimization of the beef dry-aging technological process in order to obtain a product with a sensory profile preferred by the consumer.

Influence of Immunocastration and Diet on Meat and Fat Quality of Heavy Female and Male Pigs

Two experiments were carried out; one with female pigs and the other with male pigs destined for Teruel dry-cured ham production, to evaluate the effect of immunocastration (entire gilts-EG vs. immunocastrated gilts-IG and surgically castrated males vs. immunocastrated males-IM) and diet (control vs. high energy vs. low crude protein and amino acids) on meat quality and fat composition. Fifteen meat samples and eight fat samples of each treatment were analyzed in both experiments. In the case of males, six fat samples per treatment were analyzed to determine boar taint. Immunocastration is a good strategy in gilts intended for dry-cured ham production because improves meat composition; however, in males, immunocastration impairs the results of pork chemical composition compared with surgical castration. The IG presented a lower polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids ratio than EG, improving fat technological quality. Diets had little effect on pork or fat quality in gilts, but a high-energy level using oilseeds and a low-crude-protein and -amino-acids diet from 80 to 137 kg of body weight could be interesting in IM to maintain or increase fat consistency, respectively. Moreover, in general, immunocastration is effective in avoiding boar taint in males.

Influence of the Use of Milk Replacers on Carcass Characteristics of Suckling Kids from Eight Spanish Goat Breeds

Simple Summary

Goats are important species due to their contributions to the development of rural areas. Spain has one of the largest goat populations in Europe; however, literature on goat carcasses is very scarce and, therefore, it is crucial to study the specific productive potential of each breed. Previous studies by our team on other Spanish goat breeds have shown some interactions between breed and rearing systems and, consequently, further analysis is necessary. This paper aims to contribute to the general knowledge on the subject.

Abstract

Since goat milk has a higher value than kid meat in Europe, some farmers rear kids with milk replacers, although some studies have stated that kids raised on natural milk yield higher-quality carcasses. Our previous studies showed some interactions between breed and rearing system on carcass and meat quality. This study evaluated the influence of the use of milk replacers on several carcass characteristics of suckling kids from eight Spanish goat breeds (Florida, Cabra del Guadarrama, Majorera, Palmera, Payoya, Retinta, Tinerfeña, and Verata). A total of 246 kids fed milk replacer (MR) or natural milk (NM) were evaluated. Carcass, head, viscera, and kidney fat weights, as well as several carcass measurements (round perimeter, forelimb width, carcass length, forelimb length, and carcass compactness index), were registered. Forelimbs were dissected to study tissue composition. For all studied variables, interactions were found between rearing system and breed. In general, the MR rearing system increased the head and visceral weights, as well as the length measurements and muscle percentages. Conversely, the NM rearing system increased carcass compactness and resulted in higher fat contents, independent of the deposit. The choice of one or another rearing system should be made according to the needs of the target market.

Longissimus Dorsi Muscle Transcriptomic Analysis of Simmental and Chinese Native Cattle Differing in Meat Quality

With the rapid development of economy, the demand for beef, with regard to quantity and quality, by consumers has been increasing in China. Chinese native cattle are characterized by their abundant genetic resources, unique origins, large breeding stocks, and robust environmental adaptability. Thus, to explore the genetic mechanisms on regulating meat quality in Chinese native cattle is of great importance to satisfy increased requirements for beef production. In this study, we investigated three breeds of cattle, namely Yunling, Wenshan, and Simmental, at the age of 12 months. Animals were classified into three groups (n = 5/breed). Growth traits including body weight and body size and plasma hormone levels were measured. Body weight of Wenshan cattle was significantly lower than that of Yunling and Simmental cattle (P < 0.05). Again, body size indexes, such as withers height, body slanting length, chest circumference, and hip and rump length, were significantly lower in Wenshan cattle than those in Yunling and Simmental cattle (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in those indexes between Yunling and Simmental cattle (P > 0.05). Cattle were slaughtered at the age of 18 months and then meat color, pH, pressing losses, muscle tenderness, and cooking losses were measured at 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days. Data revealed differences in meat quality among the three breeds analyzed. Based on transcriptomic sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, we observed 3,198 differentially expressed genes related to meat quality, of which 1,750 genes were upregulated. Moreover, we found two important signaling pathways closely linked to meat quality, namely adipocytokine signaling pathway [e.g., Leptin receptor (LEPR)] and protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum [e.g., signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), heat shock protein (HSPA12A), and calpain 1 (CAPN1)]. The results of transcripts were further verified by qRT-PCR. Using correlation analysis between gene expression levels and shear force, we also identified two functional genes (e.g., HSPA12A and CAPN1) associated with meat quality. Overall, this study provides new sights into novel targets and underlying mechanisms to modulate meat quality in Chinese native cattle.

The effect of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) distillation residues and linseed supply on fatty acid profile, meat colour, lipid oxidation and sensorial and hygienic quality of cull Barbarine ewes' meat

To test the hypothesis that feeding cull ewes with Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) distillation residues (RR) and linseed improves meat quality traits; fatty acid (FA) profile, lipid oxidation, meat colour, sensory and microbiological analysis were investigated. For this, 28 Barbarine ewes received 500 g of basal diet and 700 g of concentrate. Two groups received the control concentrate (CC) with, as basal diet, straw for CCC and straw plus 200 g of RR for RCC group. The two other groups received the concentrate containing 10% of linseed (LC) with straw for CLC and straw plus 200 g of RR for RLC group. The linseed intake increased n-3 PUFA (+28.7%) and C18:3n-3(+41%) and decreased n-6/n-3 ratio from 4.55 to 3.25; while the RR diet affected only the content of branched chain fatty acid in cull ewes' meat. Feeding RR combined to linseed delayed lipid oxidation at almost ½ at Day 9 (2.38 vs. 4.63 for RLC and CLC respectively). Meat from rosemary diet had higher tenderness and lower resilience. It is concluded that the meat obtained after rosemary and linseed supply can be regarded as healthier and shows higher quality traits and greater oxidation stability under chilling storage.