Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t8hqh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T23:55:19.566Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Evaluation of marbling traits by X-ray computed tomography in Hungarian Simmental bulls

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2017

G. Holló*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Kaposvár University, Guba S. Street 40, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
B. Húth
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Kaposvár University, Guba S. Street 40, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
I. Holló
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Kaposvár University, Guba S. Street 40, 7400 Kaposvár, Hungary
I. Anton
Affiliation:
NARIC-Research Institute for Animal Breeding, Nutrition and Meat Science, Gesztenyés Street 1, 2053 Herceghalom, Hungary
*
Get access

Abstract

Marbling is an economically important factor in many beef carcass grading schemes. This study aimed to evaluate marbling traits of longissimus thoracis muscle (LT) with different methods: USDA marbling score, intramuscular fat (IMF) content by image analysis of X-ray computed tomography (CT) scans and by conventional analytical method. Bulls (n=46) were slaughtered at an average weight of 536 kg and an average age of 646 days. Mean values of EUROP fat scores varied from 2− to 2+, whereas mean values of EUROP conformation grade from O0 to R0. Average growth rate of bulls was 955 g/day. Average chemical fat content of LT varied from 2.2% to 3.1% across conformation classes, and from 2.3% to 5.0% across fat classes. Intramuscular fat content in the 12th rib and in LT on CT-scans closely correlated with chemical fat content (r=0.81 and 0.85, respectively). The highest frequency of USDA marbling score was ‘small’ (55.2%), followed by ‘slight’ (25.5%), ‘modest’ (17%) and ‘moderate’ (2.1%). Computed tomography scans of LT can be used for the evaluation of marbling in Hungarian Simmental cattle. Bulls with higher growth rate had lower marbling level in LT (r=−0.4 to −0.5). EUROP conformation and fat scores have no relationship with marbling traits in this specific cattle population.

Type
Full Paper
Copyright
© The Animal Consortium 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bonny, SP, Pethick, DW, Legrand, I, Wierzbicki, J, Allen, P, Farmer, LJ, Polkinghorne, RJ, Hocquette, JF and Gardner, GE 2016. European conformation and fat scores have no relationship with eating quality. Animal 10, 9961006.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Guzek, D, Głąska, D, Pogorzelski, G, Kozań, K, Pietras, J, Konarska, M, Sakowska, A, Głąski, K, Pogorzelska, E, Barszczewski, J and Wierzbicka, A 2013. Variation of meat quality parameters due to conformation and fat class in Limousin bulls slaughtered at 25 to 27 months of age. Asian–Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 26, 716722.Google Scholar
Holló, G, Szűcs, E, Tőzsér, J, Holló, I and Repa, I 2007. Application of X-ray computer tomography (CT) in cattle production. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 20, 19011908.Google Scholar
Irie, M and Kohira, K 2012. Simple spot method of image analysis for evaluation of highly marbled beef. Asian–Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences 25, 592596.Google Scholar
Lee, S, Lohumi, S, Lim, HS, Gotoh, T, Cho, BK and Jung, S 2015. Determination of intramuscular fat content in beef using magnetic resonance imaging. Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University 60, 157162.Google Scholar
Nade, TK, Fujita, KM, Fujii, MM, Yoshida, MT, Haryu, TS, Misumi, S and Okumura, T 2005. Development of X-ray computed tomography for live standing cattle. Animal Science Journal 76, 513517.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nogalski, Z, Wroński, M, Wielgosz-Groth, Z, Purwin, C, Sobczuk Szul, M, Mochol, M and Pogorzelska, P 2013. The effect of conformation class (EUROP system) on the slaughter quality of young crossbred beef bulls and Holstein-Friesians. Annals of Animal Science 13, 121131.Google Scholar
Platter, WJ, Tatum, JD, Belk, KE, Koontz, SR, Chapman, PL and Smith, GC 2005. Effects of marbling and shear force on consumers, willingness to pay for beef strip loin steaks. Journal of Animal Science 83, 890899.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Troy, DJ, Tiwari, BK and Joo, ST 2016. Health Implications of beef intramuscular fat consumption. Korean Journal of Food Science 36, 577582.Google Scholar