Meat quality, biosecurity, and animal welfare: consequences of an inefficient inspection

Author(s):  
Patricia Tatemoto ◽  
Vanessa Louise Santos Oliveira ◽  
David Attuy Vey da Silva ◽  
Marco Túlio Costa Almeida

In livestock, biosecurity, animal welfare and meat quality have a synergetic effect on the final product. To meet minimal safety and humane production, it is necessary to consider biosecurity risks and procedures to mitigate animal welfare problems. Following guidelines to achieve it, the meat quality improves consequently. Here we tested two parameters regarding the meat quality of beef cattle to understand how the poor inspection affects the quality of the final product. Therefore, 12 samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were evaluated from different butcheries, using fresh meat recently received by the supplier. There were no sanitary inspection records related to the sampled meat. The results showed a large percentage of PSE (pale, soft, and exudative) and DFD (dark, firm, and dry) meats. Given the pH and color values, it is concluded that the slaughtering was not carried out properly. Hence, technological defects in the meat were observed, making it inappropriate for consumption. We concluded that inefficient pre-slaughter handling is compromising animal welfare, increasing the biosecurity risk, and impairing the quality of the final product. We argue that these problems not only decrease the sustainability of livestock systems, but also compromises human health. Currently, livestock plays an important role in global environmental concerns, such as climate change, land degradation, water pollution and biodiversity loss. Then, it is needed to reduce the waste of such products.

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4Supl1) ◽  
pp. 2343
Author(s):  
Apauliana Daniela Lima da Silva ◽  
José Aparecido Moreira ◽  
Rafael Leandro Ramos de Oliveira ◽  
Lorena Cunha Mota ◽  
Elisanie Neiva Magalhães Teixeira ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of including cashew bagasse bran (CBB) as a food ingredient in qualitative feed restriction programs on the carcass traits and meat quality of barrows and gilts. Twenty–four crossbred pigs (12 barrows and 12 gilts) were used, with an average initial body weight of 57.93 ± 3.67 kg/LW. The experimental design was a randomized block 3x2 factorial arrangement with three levels (0%, 15% and 30% CBB), two sexes (barrows and gilts) and four repetitions. The treatments were composed of the basal diet (BD) formulated with corn, soybean meal and a commercial base mix for finishing pigs, to which different levels of CBB were added. At the end of the trial period, the animals were slaughtered for the evaluation of the meat quality and carcass traits. The inclusion of CBB in the diets did not affect the carcass traits of the gilts but affected the carcass traits of the barrow positively, increasing theyield of meat in the chilled carcass and reducing the thickness of subcutaneous fat. In the longissimus dorsi muscle and in the adipose tissue of the pigs, the myristic (C14:0), palmitoleic (C16:1), oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), linolenic (C18:3) and arachidonic (C20:4) fatty acids were evaluated, and no effect was observed (P > 0.05) from the levels of CBB in the diets. In the comparisons between the sexes, a greater concentration of C20:4 fatty acid was observed in the carcass of the gilts. In this context, CBB was considered for use as a feed ingredient in programs of qualitative feed restriction for finishing pigs.


2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 315-327
Author(s):  
U. Sen ◽  
M. Kuran ◽  
U. Ensoy

Abstract. The aim of this study was to determine growth performance, carcass and meat quality of Karayaka female lambs born in different seasons. Winter born (breeding season; n=15) and autumn born (out of the breeding season; n=15) singleton female lambs were used in the study. Birth and slaughter weights of lambs in both groups were similar, but the weaning weight of the autumn born lambs was higher (P<0.05). The autumn born lambs had lower carcass yield, lung, spleen and gastrocnemious muscle weights (P<0.05), but higher liver, kidney, empty reticulo-rumen, empty small intestine, internal fat, suprarenal fat weights and a higher fat thickness over the longissimus dorsi muscle (P<0.05). Additionally, the winter born lambs had higher cooking loss, drip loss and shear force values (P<0.05), but lower dry matter and intramuscular fat (P<0.05) in longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscles. There were significant differences between both groups in terms of meat colour characteristics (P<0.05) except b* values for longissimus dorsi at 1 h and for semitendinosus at 24 h. The results suggest that Karayaka female lambs born in winter and autumn seasons have different meat quality parameters and growth patterns at pre- and post-weaning.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2440
Author(s):  
Sophie Atkinson ◽  
Bo Algers ◽  
Joaquim Pallisera ◽  
Antonio Velarde ◽  
Pol Llonch

This study assessed aversion, stunning effectiveness, and product quality of nitrogen and carbon dioxide (CO2) mixtures used for stunning pigs. A total of 1852 slaughter pigs divided into two similar batches was assessed during routine slaughter in a Swedish commercial abattoir using either hypercapnic-hypoxia (20% CO2 and less than 2% O2; 20C2O) or hypercapnia (90% CO2; 90C) gas mixtures. Behavioral indicators of aversion and discomfort were recorded. After exposure, the stunning quality was assessed through brainstem reflexes. After slaughter, the pH and electric conductivity of carcasses were assessed to estimate the incidence of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) pork, and the presence of ecchymosis were inspected. Compared to 90C, pigs exposed to 20C2O showed a later (p < 0.05) onset of behaviors indicative of aversion, and a lower (p < 0.01) incidence of breathlessness. However, unconsciousness (i.e., losing posture) appeared earlier (p < 0.01) in 90C compared to 20C2O. In 90C, all (100%) pigs were adequately stunned, whereas in 20C2O a 7.4% of pigs showed signs of poor stunning, especially when oxygen concentrations were >2% (p < 0.001). The percentage of PSE carcasses was higher (p < 0.01) in 20C2O than 90C. In conclusion, compared to 90C, 20C2O reduced aversion and discomfort but showed lower stun effectiveness, especially when O2 was above 2%, and a slightly poorer pork quality.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antônio Clébio Ferreira da Silva ◽  
Hélio Henrique Araújo Costa ◽  
Maria Claudete Rodrigues Peres ◽  
Adaílton Camelo Costa ◽  
Diego Rodrigues de Sousa ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pre- and post-calving feed restriction on quantitative characteristics and lipid profile of meat from Morada Nova sheep. Twenty-four male lambs from single births only, with an initial weight of 10.0 ± 3.07 kg and at four months of age, were distributed in a randomized complete design, into three groups: pre-calving restriction (R-PRE; n=8) post-calving restriction (R-POS; n=8), and ad libitum feeding (ADLI; n=8). To make up the experimental treatments, the feeding regime applied previously on the sheep in the last third of pregnancy was considered. Treatments ADLI and R-POS were composed of lambs born from ewes fed ad libitum in the last third of pregnancy. Treatment R-PRE consisted of lambs born from ewes subjected to feed restriction in the last third of pregnancy at 60% of the recommended requirements for the group of ewes feeding ad libitum. For the lambs from treatments ADLI and R-PRE, the diet was supplied allowing 20% of the total supplied as refusals. For the animals from R-POS, a 30% restriction was imposed in relation to the animals feeding ad libitum. Animals were slaughtered with an average live weight of 25 kg. Afterwards, carcasses were chilled at 4 ºC for 24 h. Meat quality measurements were taken on the right side of each carcass; pH was determined immediately after slaughter and then again after chilling. Samples of the longissimus dorsi muscle were collected and frozen at -20 ºC. Moisture, ash, protein, total lipids, water-holding capacity, and cooking loss were determined in the meat samples, which were then subjected to the shear-force test. The sensory analysis was determined by the hedonic-scale test, in which sensory parameters of tenderness, juiciness, flavor, aroma, and overall acceptability and fatty acid profile were evaluated. There was a feed-restriction effect on protein, lipids, and water-holding capacity (P0.05). Saturated fatty acid contents were affected by the treatments (P0.05). Feed restriction does not compromise the physicochemical or sensory quality of Morada Nova lambs meat, but rather provides a meat product of good acceptance.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 2693
Author(s):  
Bruna Biava de Menezes ◽  
Henrique Jorge Fernandes ◽  
Maria da Graça Morais ◽  
Edneia Pereira Rosa ◽  
Andrea Roberto Duarte Lopes Souza ◽  
...  

This study aimed at evaluating carcass traits and meat quality of Nellore steers on pasture submitted to different dietary supplementation strategies. The 32 Nellore animals tested (8 ± 0.6 months) were raised under rotational grazing on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Piatã (syn. Urochloa brizantha cv. Piatã) pasture and distributed in four treatments: supply of mineral salt ad libitum in the growth and finishing phases (MSGF); concentrate supplementation only during the growth phase (CG); concentrate supplementation only during the finishing phase (CF) and concentrate supplementation the growth and finishing phases (CGF). The concentrated supplement was supplied at 0.5% of body weight and mineral ad libitum. The steers were slaughtered when more than 50% of the lot of each treatment reached 450 kg body weight. The mean the hot and cold carcass weight and subcutaneous fat thickness did not differ between treatments (P > 0.05). The calves the treatment CF and CGF showed a larger rib-eye area and higher ether extract levels in the Longissimus dorsi muscle than in MSGF and CG (P < 0.05). Mean shearing force was similar between treatments (P > 0.05). The use of feeding strategies on pasture with concentrate supplementation in the growth and finishing phases of Nellore cattle anticipates slaughter in 92 days and produces carcasses and meat with satisfactory traits.


Author(s):  
R. Pilarczyk ◽  
J. Wójcik ◽  
T. Karamucki ◽  
M. Jakubowska ◽  
D Zaborski ◽  
...  

Background: Growth ability and meat performance are of great economic importance in beef cattle. Therefore, breed comparison experiments are needed to provide valuable information on the suitability of different beef breeds for different production conditions. The aim of the present study was to compare the growth performance and meat quality of young Red Angus, Salers and Limousin bulls. Methods: The material comprised 30 bulls of Red Angus (RA), Salers (SL) and Limousin (LM) breeds. The parameters studied were 210-d bodyweight and daily gains from birth to weaning and to finishing, as well as from weaning to finishing. The finished bulls were slaughtered after 12-hour fasting and post-slaughter evaluation was carried out. The compositions of the samples of meat from the longest dorsal muscle (m. longissimus dorsi) were subjected to basic chemical analysis and sensory analysis. Result: The best results in the period of maternal nursing were obtained by the SL bulls and during intensive fattening, by the LM bulls. The differences existed in the chemical composition and sensory characteristics of meat from the bulls of the studied breeds. The RA breed demonstrated the highest content of intramuscular fat in the longissimus dorsi muscle and received higher scores for sensory characteristics.


Author(s):  
Enver Barış BİNGÖL ◽  
Tolga KAHRAMAN ◽  
Ghassan ISSA ◽  
Emek DÜMEN ◽  
Ergün Ömer GÖKSOY ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoni Dalmau ◽  
Antonio Di Nardo ◽  
Carolina Eva Realini ◽  
Pedro Rodríguez ◽  
Pol Llonch ◽  
...  

To assess the effect of transport duration on animal welfare and meat quality of lambs, two trials were performed: Forty Ile-de-France × Merino lambs were used in Trial 1 and 40 Comisana lambs in Trial 2. In both trials, the lambs, aged between 14 and 16 weeks, were divided into two groups of 20 animals. One group was subjected to a 1-h period of transportation (T1) and the other to a 24-h period of transportation (T24), both in the same truck and arriving to the same slaughterhouse at the same time. The effect of transport on serum biochemistry variables (cortisol, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, blood urea nitrogen, creatine kinase, creatinine and total proteins), salivary cortisol, metabolites of cortisol in faeces, intra-ruminal temperature and meat quality (pH, conductivity, expressible juice, colour and shear force) was assessed. In both studies, the duration of transport did not affect serum and salivary cortisol concentration (P > 0.05). However, in Trial 2, lambs exposed to 24-h transport had a higher concentration of faecal cortisol metabolites than did those transported for 1 h (P < 0.05). Blood variables were not affected by transport in either trial (P > 0.05), with the exception of blood urea nitrogen which was higher in Trial 1 for the T24 group (P < 0.05) than it was to T1 group. Although no signs of dehydration were found, intra-ruminal loggers showed that animals did not drink during the transportation in the way they did before transport. In Trial 1, no effect of transport duration was found on meat-quality traits (P > 0.05). Nevertheless, in Trial 2, lambs exposed to 24-h transport had higher values of colour attribute of a* (red trend) and less tenderness or higher values of shear force (P < 0.05). The present study showed that although there is little effect on meat quality, signs of stress are detectable in lambs transported for 24 h. Therefore, in the case of lambs, the effect of long transportation periods must be considered more in terms of animal welfare than in terms of product quality.


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