Effect of sex (ram or wether) and short duration, high volt electrical stimulation on tenderisation of Longissimus thoracis et lumborum and Semimembranosus muscles derived from Boer Goat and large frame Indigenous Veld Goat.

This study determined whether castration and electrical stimulation (ES) influenced chevon tenderness and related physiological characteristics in Boer Goat (BG; n = 36; 21 bucks and 15 wethers) and large frame Indigenous Veld Goat (IVG; n = 41; 21 bucks and 20 wethers). Half of buck and wether carcasses were ES (20s, 400 Volts peak, 5 ms pulses at 15 pulses/s) 10 min post-mortem. Dressed carcasses were chilled (4 °C within 1-h post-mortem).

Sustained Effects of Muscle Calpain System Genotypes on Tenderness Phenotypes of South African Beef Bulls during Ageing up to 20 Days.

The most important factor that determines beef tenderness is its proteolytic activity, and the balance between calpain-1 protease activity and calpastatin inhibition is especially important, while contributions can also arise from calpain-2 and, possibly, calpain-3. The meat ageing process itself affects these processes. To determine whether genotypes in the calpain-calpastatin system can enhance tenderness through a 20-day ageing period, South African purebred beef bulls ( = 166) were genotyped using the Illumina BovineHD SNP BeadChip through a gene-based association analysis targeting the , , and genes.

Differences in Meat Quality of Six Muscles Obtained from Southern African Large-Frame Indigenous Veld Goat and Boer Goat Wethers and Bucks.

Various meat quality characteristics of six muscles ( (LTL), (SM), (BF), (SS), (IS), (ST)) from large-frame Boer Goats (BG) and Indigenous Veld Goats (IVG: Cape Speckled and the Cape Lob Ear) were studied. Weaner male BG ( = 18; 10 bucks and 8 wethers) and IVG ( = 19; 9 bucks and 10 wethers) were raised on hay and natural grass, and on a commercial pelleted diet to a live weight of 30-35 kg. All goats were slaughtered at a commercial abattoir and the dressed carcasses were chilled at 4 °C within 1 h post mortem.

Carcass Quality Profiles and Associated Genomic Regions of South African Goat Populations Investigated Using Goat SNP50K Genotypes.

Carcass quality includes a battery of essential economic meat traits that play a significant role in influencing farmer breed preferences. A preliminary study was undertaken to investigate the carcass quality and the associated genomic regions in a small nucleus of animals that are representative of South African goat genetic resources. Samples of the South African Boer ( 14), Northern Cape Speckled ( 14), Eastern Cape Xhosa Lob ear ( 12), Nguni/Mbuzi ( 13), and Village ( 20) were genotyped using the Illumina goat SNP50K and were phenotyped for carcass quality traits.

Effect of Breed Types and Castration on Carcass Characteristics of Boer and Large Frame Indigenous Veld Goats of Southern Africa.

Weaner male Boer Goats (BG; = 36; 21 bucks and 15 wethers) and large frame Indigenous Veld Goats (IVG; = 41; 21 bucks and 20 wethers) were raised on hay and natural grass ad libitum and the recommended amount of commercial pelleted diet to a live weight between 30 and 35 kg. Carcass quality characteristics (live weight, carcass weights, dressing %, chilling loss and eye muscle area) were measured. The right sides of the carcasses were divided into wholesale cuts and dissected into subcutaneous fat, meat and bone.

Post mortem rigor development in the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) breast muscle (pectoralis): factors which may affect the tenderness.

Background: Baseline research on the toughness of Egyptian goose meat is required. This study therefore investigates the post mortem pH and temperature decline (15 min-4 h 15 min post mortem) in the pectoralis muscle (breast portion) of this gamebird species. It also explores the enzyme activity of the Ca(2+)-dependent protease (calpain system) and the lysosomal cathepsins during the rigor mortis period.

Minimal electrical stimulation is effective in low stressed and well fed cattle.

Four groups of carcasses of eighty grain fed low stressed steers (~12 months old, 240 kg carcass weight) received no stimulation or had low voltage stimulation for 15, 45 and 90 s. M. longissimus was aged for 2 and 14 days at 2 °C.

The effect of vitamin D(3) supplementation on texture and oxidative stability of beef loins from steers treated with zilpaterol hydrochloride.

In this study, 10 young steers received no beta agonist (C), 50 animals all received zilpaterol hydrochloride (Z), with 1 group receiving Z while the other 4 groups received Z and vitamin D(3) at the following levels (IU/animal /day) and durations before slaughter: 7 million for 3 days (3D7M) or 6 days (6D7M), 7 million for 6 days with 7 days no supplementation (6D7M7N) and 1 million for 9 days (9D1M). LD samples were vacuum-aged 14 days post mortem, and repacked in high-oxygen modified atmosphere (70% O(2)/30% CO(2)) for a further 7 days. Parameters included Warner Bratzler shear force (WBSF), myofibril fragment length, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, free thiol levels, muscle fat, and instrumental colour parameters.