Effect of dried cauliflower leaf meal (Brassica oleracea var botrytis) dietary supplementation on the growth performance, carcass and meat characteristics of rabbits.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of feeding cauliflower leaf meal (CLM) on growth performance, nutrient utilization, carcass characteristics, histopathology and economics of rabbit production. A total of eighteen 45-day-old Newzeland White rabbits were randomly divided into three groups and fed with control (0%), 20% and 30% CLM in concentrate mixture and feeding trial continued for 3 months. Growth performance was recorded upto the end of the trial. On completion of the growth study, a digestibility trial was conducted to assess the digestibility of nutrients. Afterwards, all the experimental rabbits were slaughtered to evaluate the carcass and meat quality, and to examine histological changes in the viscera. The cost of production was calculated on the basis of partially replacing wheat bran with CLM. Results showed that the body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and digestibility of nutrients were similar among the groups of rabbits. Further, dressing percentage, wholesome cut yield, chemical composition of meat, sensory evaluation, water holding capacity and shear force value were also comparable among all groups. However, total phenolic content, vitamin A and E, and polyunsaturated fatty acid were significantly (p < 0.05) higher and 2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in 30% CLM-fed group. Histopathological study showed no pathological changes in viscera of rabbits fed with CLM. Moreover, the cost of production was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in 30% CLM-fed group of rabbits. The present work shows that the 30% CLM can be incorporated in concentrate mixture in rabbit diet without affecting growth performance or meat quality and successfully used in rabbit nutrition, which will be cheaper with enhanced keeping quality of meat.

Colour, myoglobin denaturation and storage stability of raw and cooked mutton chops at different end point cooking temperature.

In our study effect of different end point temperature (51 °C, 65 °C, 71 °C and 79 °C) on physicochemical and storage stability of mutton chops were evaluated. The L* (lightness) value and b* (yellowness) increased (P < 0.05) in cooked mutton chops than the raw mutton. The a* value (redness) decreased (P < 0.05) as end point temperature increased. As internal cooking temperature increased soluble myoglobin content decreased with a corresponding increase in percent myoglobin denatured. Raw mutton chops (uncooked) had lower level of oxidation (less TBA values) than cooked mutton irrespective of storage length. Initial APC of raw and cooked mutton chops ranged from log 1.75 to log 3.73 and was lower in higher end point cooking temperature. It can be concluded that as end point temperature increased, mutton chops appear less red and raw mutton had lower level of oxidation than cooked mutton chops.

Effect of incorporation of Moringa oleifera leaves extract on quality of ground pork patties.

Present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of addition of different levels of Moringa oleifera leaves extract (MLE) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in raw and cooked pork patties during refrigerated storage. Five treatments evaluated include: Control (without MLE/BHT), MLE 300 (300 ppm equivalent M. oleifera leaves phenolics), MLE 450 (450 ppm equivalent M. oleifera leaves phenolics), MLE 600 (600 ppm equivalent M. oleifera leaves phenolics) and BHT 200 (200 ppm BHT). Total phenolic content ranged from 60.78 to 70.27 mg per gram. A concentration dependent increase in reducing power and 1,1-diphenyl 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of both MLE and BHT was noticed. Higher (P < 0.001) a* and lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values were observed in MLE 600 and BHT 200 compared to control. Addition of MLE did not affect the sensory attributes or microbial quality. These results showed that M. oleifera leaves can be used as a potential source of natural antioxidants to inhibit lipid oxidation in ground pork patties.

Effects on colour characteristics of buffalo meat during blooming, retail display and using vitamin C during refrigerated storage.

Experiments were conducted to determine the effect of blooming, retail display and vitamin C on colour changes/improvement of buffalo meat. To evaluate the effect of blooming, top round cuts of buffalo were allowed to bloom for 60 min. As colour bloomed, a* value increased from 6.47 to 10.01 at 45 min; no further changes occurred. In another study, top round cuts were kept at ambient temperature (36 ± 2 °C) and evaluated for instrumental colour during display. The instrumental redness value (a*) and chroma significantly increased (P < 0.05) after 12 h of display. During storage at refrigerated temperature, treatments consisted of injecting muscle section with 5 % by weight of 0.5, 1 and 2 % vitamin C solutions and a non-injected control (0 %). Each part was evaluated for instrumental colour changes and sensory traits (colour and discoloration score) at 0, 3, 6 and 9th day of refrigerated storage. The a* value (redness) increased significantly in all vitamin C treated buffalo meat samples as compared to control stored at 4 °C. The chroma was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in treated meat as compared to control. Buffalo meat containing vitamin C maintained the desired red meat colour throughout the storage period. The buffalo muscle treated with 2 % vitamin C was more effective in preventing discoloration than treated with 0.5 and 1 % vitamin C. In our study it is evident that as colour bloomed, a* value (redness) increased which indicated that buffalo muscles became redder immediately after exposure to air during blooming and retail display. Vitamin C at levels between 0.5 and 2 % will minimize the rapid discoloration that occurs at the muscle surface. However, 2 % concentration of vitamin C was more effective in minimizing the discoloration and improving colour stability.

Carcass characteristics, composition, physico-chemical, microbial and sensory quality of emu meat.

1. In order to investigate whether emu meat is a potential red meat alternative, this work was carried out with the objective of studying the carcass characteristics, proximate composition, physico-chemical and microbial characteristics and sensory attributes of emu meat. 2. Carcass characteristics clearly indicate that emus are a significant source of lean meat, fat, skin and edible by-products and these findings confirm earlier reports. 3. Proximate composition of emu meat indicated higher protein and ash content and lower fat, total lipids and cholesterol content than meat from other meat animals. 4. The pH, water holding capacity, collagen content and solubility, protein extractability, muscle fibre diameter and Warner-Bratzler shear force values of emu meat are similar to the earlier reports for meats from other food animals. 5. Emu meat is dark, cherry red in colour with significantly higher myoglobin content and the myoglobin is more prone to oxidation as evidenced by higher initial metmyoglobin percentage. The initial thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values and free fatty acids percentage in emu meat were higher than those in meats from other species. 6. Sensory evaluation of cooked emu meat curry revealed highly acceptable scores relative to goat meat curry, the most preferred meat in India. 7. The study shows the potential of emu meat as a new source of low fat, quality meat proteins. However, more studies are required to elucidate the effect of age, sex, muscles, pre-slaughter and post-slaughter factors on different carcass and meat quality characteristics.

Relationship between the solubility, dosage and antioxidant capacity of carnosic acid in raw and cooked ground buffalo meat patties and chicken patties.

Antioxidant capacity of oil soluble and water dispersible carnosic acid (CA) extracted from dried rosemary leaves using HPLC was evaluated at two different dosages (22.5 ppm vs 130 ppm) in raw and cooked ground buffalo meat patties and chicken patties. Irrespective of total phenolic content, CA extracts reduced (p<0.05) the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) by 39%-47% and 37%-40% in cooked buffalo meat and chicken patties at lower dosage (22.5 ppm) relative to control samples. However, at higher dosage (130 ppm) the TBARS values were reduced (p<0.05) by 86%-96% and 78%-87% in cooked buffalo meat and chicken patties compared to controls. The CA extracts were also effective in inhibiting (p<0.05) peroxide value and free fatty acids in cooked buffalo meat and chicken patties. The CA extracts when used at higher dosage, were also effective in stabilizing raw buffalo meat color.

Effects of grape seed extract on the oxidative and microbial stability of restructured mutton slices.

The antioxidant and antimicrobial efficacy of grape seed extract (GSE) was studied in restructured mutton slices (RMS) under aerobic and vacuum packaging conditions during refrigerated storage. The RMS treated with grape seed extract (GSE) had significantly (P<0.05) lower thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values and free fatty acids (FFA) % compared to control (C) and butylated hydroxy anisole (BHA) treated RMS during storage at 4±1°C. Addition of GSE significantly (P<0.05) reduced the total psychrophilic and coliform counts in RMS during refrigerated storage. The GSE treated mutton slices recorded significantly (P<0.05) superior scores of color, flavor, juiciness and overall palatability than C and BHA treated RMS. The TBARS values, FFA % and microbial counts increased significantly (P<0.05) during storage. It can be concluded that GSE has excellent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties compared to control and BHA treated RMS during refrigerated storage under aerobic and vacuum conditions.

Effects of salt and ammonium hydroxide on the quality of ground buffalo meat.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ammonium hydroxide (AH) and sodium chloride on the quality of ground buffalo meat patties. Ground buffalo meat was treated with distilled water (control), 0.5% v/w AH, 1.0% v/w AH, 2.0% v/w AH and 1.0% w/w sodium chloride was added for all the samples. Treatment with AH increased (P<0.05) the pH and water holding capacity (WHC) of ground buffalo meat patties during storage relative to their controls. Hunterlab a* (redness) and chroma values increased (P<0.05) and hue decreased (P<0.05) in all AH treated samples in comparison to controls during storage. Ammonium hydroxide significantly (P<0.05) inhibited metmyoglobin formation compared to control after 3rd day of storage. There was a significant (P<0.05) reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values in all AH treated samples compared to control throughout storage. These results indicate the potential antioxidant and myoglobin redox stabilizing effect of AH in ground buffalo meat patties.

Biochemical and physicochemical changes in spent hen breast meat during postmortem aging.

An experiment was conducted to study the biochemical and physicochemical changes with respect to improvement in tenderness of spent hen breast meat. Breast muscle obtained from freshly slaughtered spent hens (72 wk old) was divided into 5 equal lots and dipped in 1 mM NaN(3) before being packed in low-density poly-ethylene pouches under aerobic conditions and stored at refrigeration temperature (4 degrees C). Lots were removed on 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 d of storage and analyzed for pH, TBA reactive substances (TBARS), total sulfhydryl content, protein-bound sulfhydryl content, nonprotein-bound sulfhydryl content, perimysial fraction, collagen content, free OH-proline, N, nonprotein N, and proteolysis rate. Shear force value and penetrometer readings were also determined after making patties from the stored muscle samples. Results showed that pH values were gradually decreasing over the storage period. The TBARS values were increasing (P < 0.001), whereas the sulfhydryl content was decreasing (P < 0.001) over the storage period. The TBARS values were negatively (P < 0.05) correlated with total sulfhydryl content. This suggests that sulfhydryl content may prevent further higher oxidation of lipids. The soluble collagen content, collagen solubility, free OH-proline, and proteolysis rate were increasing (P < 0.001) during postmortem aging. These results suggest that collagen degradation into free amino acids occurs postmortem. A gradual decrease (P < 0.001) in shear force value and a gradual increase (P < 0.001) in penetrometer readings were recorded in the patties made from matured breast meat. Therefore, postmortem aging of spent hen breast meat resulted in 23% improvement in tenderness of minced patties on 14 d and 39% on 28 d as evidenced by biochemical and physicochemical changes.

Comparative efficacy of pomegranate juice, pomegranate rind powder extract and BHT as antioxidants in cooked chicken patties.

A study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant potential of pomegranate juice (PJ), rind powder extract (RP) and butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT) in cooked chicken patties during refrigerated storage. Freshly minced chicken meats were assigned to one of the following four treatments: control (meat treated with no antioxidants); 10mg equivalent PJ phenolics per 100g meat; 10mg equivalent RP phenolics per 100g meat; 10mg BHT per 100g meat. The patties formed from the minced meats were grilled for 20min and stored under aerobically at 4°C for 15 days. Total phenolic content (as tannic acid equivalent) significantly (P<0.05) increased from 152 in control to 195 and 224µg/g in PJ and RP patties. Addition of PJ or RP did not affect any of the sensory attributes. The TBARS values were significantly (P<0.05) reduced from 1.272 in control patties to 0.896, 0.763 and 0.203mg malonaldehyde per kg samples in BHT, PJ and RP patties, respectively. The RP treatment substantially inhibited (P<0.01) lipid oxidation in cooked chicken patties to a much greater extent than BHT treatment. The PJ or RP at a level of 10mg equivalent phenolics/100g meat would be sufficient to protect chicken patties against oxidative rancidity for periods longer than the most commonly used synthetic antioxidant like BHT.

Improvement of shelf-life of buffalo meat using lactic acid, clove oil and vitamin C during retail display.

Buffalo meat steaks dipped in either (1) distilled water (control), (2) lactic acid (LA), (3) LA+clove oil (clove), or (4) LA+clove+vitamin C (Vit C) were displayed at 4±1°C, illuminated by a standard fluorescent lamp. The pH, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), instrumental colour (CIE L(∗), a(∗), b(∗)), aerobic plate counts (APC), psychrotrophic counts (PPC), coliform counts and sensory colour and odour were determined up to 12th day of display at 3 days interval. Results showed that, all the treatments have significantly (P<0.05) reduced the TBARS values compared to control. Among treatments, use of LA+clove has exhibited significantly (P<0.05) lowest TBARS values throughout display period than others. Buffalo meat steaks treated with either LA+clove or LA+clove+Vit C had significantly (P<0.05) lower APC, PPC and coliform counts than control or LA treated samples. LA+clove+Vit C treated samples maintained significantly (P<0.05) higher a(∗) and b(∗) values during display as well as improvement in sensory colour and odour than others. Treatment with either LA+clove or LA+clove+Vit C extended the display life of buffalo meat steaks at 4±1°C. There appears to be a significant advantage to using LA+clove or LA+clove+Vit C over LA alone.

Effect of chilling, polyphosphate and bicarbonate on quality characteristics of broiler breast meat.

1. An experiment was conducted to assess the effect of tetrasodium pyrophosphate and sodium bicarbonate on colour and sensory attributes of pre- and post-chilled breast meat. 2. Three groups of 6 halves of breasts (pre-chill) immediately after slaughter were treated with 3% tetrasodium pyrophosphate, 3% sodium bicarbonate in 2% NaCl or 2% NaCl alone (control); the remaining 6 halves (post-chill) were stored overnight at 4 degrees C and then treated similarly. Both the pre- and post-chill samples were held at 4 degrees C for 24 h and pH, water holding capacity, cooking loss, CIE colour values and sensory attributes were recorded. 3. Chilling had few effects on the meat characteristics measured in this study. 4. Treatment with phosphate and bicarbonate increased pH in both the pre- and post-chill groups. Treated breasts exhibited lower L* and higher a* value (more red) than controls. 5. A sensory evaluation study revealed improvements in colour and other sensory attributes of cooked broiler breast meat in all treated samples compared to the control. 6. The findings suggest that tetrasodium pyrophosphate and sodium bicarbonate, when injected post mortem, will have beneficial effects on several physico-chemical (pH, colour, WHC %, cooking loss) and sensory attributes of broiler meat. However, phosphate had a smaller effect than bicarbonate.

Carcass yield, composition and meat quality attributes of sheep and goat under semiarid conditions.

Carcass composition and meat quality attributes were compared in yearling sheep and goats. After weaning at 3 months of age, the animals were maintained under stall fed condition up to 1 year of age. Throughout the study, the animals were maintained on ad libitum complete feed (50:50 roughage and concentrate). The yearling sheep had higher (P<0.05) pre slaughter weight, hot carcass weight and dressing % than the goats. The muscular development as indicated by loin eye area was significantly (P<0.01) greater in sheep than goats. In general, total non-carcass fat contents were more in sheep than goats. Similarly, the dissected total fat of half carcass was also more (P<0.01) in sheep than the goats. Neck and shoulder portion was heavier (P<0.01) in goats than the sheep. Shear force value was greater (P<0.01) in goats (7.42 kg/cm(2)) than sheep (3. 74 kg/cm(2)). Goat meat had more (P<0.01) moisture and less fat than mutton. In sensory evaluation both the species were rated almost equal in overall palatability scores. The current study showed that dressing yield was higher in sheep than goats. But goat yielded leaner carcass which is desirable for the calorie concern consumers. It was also revealed that meat from goat carcasses was tougher than mutton.