Effect of slaughter handling conditions and animal temperament on bovine meat quality markers (Efecto del manejo y del temperamento animal sobre indicadores de calidad de la carne bovina)

PIGHIN, D; DAVIES, P; G GRIGIONI; PAZOS, A; CECONI, I; MENDEZ, D; BUFFARINI, M; SANCHO A.M; C.B. GONZALEZ

ARCHIVOS DE ZOOTECNIA

Asociacion Iberoamericana de Zootecnia

Año: 2013 vol. 62 p. 399 - 409

0004-0592

Diet and pre-slaughter stress are key factors involved in the biochemical process during the conversion of muscle into meat. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of two different pre-slaughter stress managements in Angus steers, raised in two contrasting feeding systems, on the peri mortem muscle metabolism and its relation to physicochemical parameters of meat quality. Results showed that different pre-slaughter managements at abattoir installations were associated to metabolism changes (in vivo and post mortem). Changes in carbohydrate and protein metabolism and adipose tissue color were associated to increased pre-slaughter stress. Feeding strategy was associated to blood hematocrit, insulin concentration, rate of pH and temperature decline during the first 24 h post mortem and adipose tissue color. LD hardness was affected by an interaction effect of feeding strategy and pre-slaughter stress. Results evidence an impact of animal diet and pre-slaughter stress on meat quality through pH-independent mechanisms.