Two reading techniques of the filter paper press method for measuring meat water-holding capacity.

Two systems of measuring the areas obtained from the filter paper press method (Grau & Hamm) on meat (beef) were compared: by planimeter (method A) and by optical-electronic system (Video Image Analyzer; method B). Data obtained by three operators, measuring 15 samples twice, were utilized to estimate the 'precision' of the two methods. The general mean area of ring zone resulting from method A was 6·69 cm(2). Analysis of variance demonstrated a significant influence both for 'operator' factor and for the interaction operator-sample. Repeatability and reproducibility were 0·1706 and 0·2580, respectively. By method B the general mean area was 6·67 cm(2). The variance among operators was significant, but lower than in the method A, and there was no interaction. The repeatability and reproducibility were 0·03055 and 0·07234, respectively. It would appear, therefore, that the optical-electronic determination is more precise than the planimetric method.