Fibre types inmuscle
aerobic (red/pink) - strong cytochrome oxidase activity
type I and type IIa
anaerobic (white) - weak cytoochrone oxidase activity
type IIb
Type I
slow twitch aerobic low glycogen content high lipid content low glycolytic enzymes high myoglobin contnet
Type IIa
high glycogen content
medium glycolytic acitivity
varibale ATPase activity
medium myoglobin conent
type IIb
medium glycogen content
high glycolytic enzyme activity
strong ATPase activity
low myoglobin content
PSE meat occurs when
PSE quality
pale, soft exudative
dry and poor texture after cooking
- exudate leads to weightloss and therefore reduced yield in fresh and process products
PSE appearance
DFD meat occurs when
DFD quality
stunning
rendering animal unconscious (prevents animal feeling any pain or distress during exsanguination)
Mechanically - Captive bolt pistol, Percussion stunner, Free bullet
Non mechanically – electric current and immersion in aesthetic gas
exsanguination is
cutting of major arteries to the brain = bleeding to death
phases in stunning
slaughter methods
What factors effect the rate at which a carcass looses heat?
What does rate of cooling effect in the muscles?
What occurs when there is a slow pH drop + fast temp drop in carcass?
cold shortening
Cold shortening
What occurs when there is a quick pH drop + high temp in carcass?
heat shortening
Heat shortening
Occurs if pH ultimate level is reached while the the temp is still high
muscles are stimulated & allowed to contract & shorten at high temperatures without subsequent relaxation, meat may become tougher if enter RM in this state
What is the optimum window for pH and carcass temp?
- pH should be < 6 before the temp falls to 12°C
What effect does electric stimulation have on meat?
causes all muscles to contract which uses up glycogen and therefore enhances aerobic glycolysis giving a rapid fall in pH -> enzymes active -> tender meat
What effect does carcass suspension have on meat
carcass suspension can result in more tender meat
Meat packaging function
Meat packaging - gas permeable plastic film (over wrapping)
allow O2 from air to penetrate easily and react with myoglobin to give oxymyoglobin – 1-2 days before oxidation to metMb becomes problem