Effect of Packaging Type and Aging on the Meat Quality Characteristics of Water Buffalo Bulls

The present study determined the effect of the packaging type and aging time on the meat quality of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bulls. A total of n = 36 longissimus lumborum (LL) muscles from n = 18 buffalo bulls were obtained. Half LL muscles were packed in modified atmosphere packaging (Hi-O2 MAP), vacuum packaging (VP), and oxygen-permeable packaging (OP) on day 1, while the other half were aged for 7 days. Meat instrumental color, cooking loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) of the LL steaks were analyzed, both on unaged and aged buffalo meat. Color CIE L* and C* values on all display days and a* on the first 4 days of the simulated retail display under Hi-O2 MAP packaging were significantly higher than those of the VP and OP. WBSF and TBARS values were also higher under Hi-O2 MAP as compared to the other packaging. Steaks under OP exhibited lower cooking loss but higher TVB-N values than the MAP and VP. The 7-day-aged buffalo meat indicated higher instrumental color (L*, a* and C*), cooking loss, and lower WBSF values than fresh meat. This study concluded that Hi-O2 MAP improved the color; however, it negatively influenced the buffalo meat’s WBSF and TBAR values. Furthermore, VP and aging were the most effective in decreasing the WBSF values of buffalo meat.

Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Activity and Gene Expression in the Adipose Tissue of Buffalo Bulls Was Unaffected by Diets with Different Fat Content and Fatty Acid Profile

Research on diet effects on buffalo meat quality may be critical to assess its possible consumption benefits in human nutrition. This study investigated, in growing buffalo bulls, the effects of two diets differing in total fat content and fatty acid profile on the activity and gene expression of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase (SCD) in the adipose tissue and on meat quality. Twenty buffalo bulls, 6 months old, were randomly assigned to the two dietary treatments until slaughtering (about 400 kg body weight). No significant difference between the groups was observed for chemical composition, fatty acid profile and CLAs content of Longissimus thoracis as well as for the SCD gene expression. Such results seem to be in contrast with similar studies performed on other ruminant species, but confirm that important differences occur between buffalo and bovine species, such as the lower content in fat of buffalo meat. Our results also confirm that specific studies should be performed on buffalo, also in terms of the metabolic pathways activated by different diets.

Impact of imported Indian buffalo meat on red meat supply and demand in South Kalimantan, Indonesia

Since 2016, the government introduced the domestic beef market to Indian buffalo meat (IBM). However, the impact of IBM on regional beef supply and demand has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to study the impact of IBM on the supply and demand of local beef in South Kalimantan (KalSel), Indonesia. Surveys were conducted with slaughterhouses, beef distributors, butchers, meatball makers, and resellers both at the supermarkets and wet markets. Secondary data were collected from Banjarmasin Quarantine Office and Livestock and Animal Health Service of Kalsel. Data indicated an increase of IBM imported into Kalsel, from 38-675 tonnes in 2017 and 2019. There was a decline of live cattle imported from inter-island, from 27,240 head in 2016 to only 12,788 head in 2019. Slaughtered cattle and beef production declined from 39,747 heads in 2016 to 31,058 heads in 2019 and 8,691 tons in 2016 to 6,791 tons in 2019. Butchers reported beef selling volume has been reduced by 50-70% compared to 2016. This study showed IBM has had significant impacts on inter-island cattle supply, local beef production and beef demand in the wet market but has no impact on local beef price.

Bacterial Assessment of Buffalo Meat in Kathmandu Valley

Meat is highly nutritious and mostly consumed food. Usually, meat gets contaminated because of improper handling, open transportation practice, unhygienic cutting tools, and can cause various food–borne illnesses. This study was focused to determine bacterial load and occurrences of potential pathogenic bacteria in the raw buffalo meat sold in Kathmandu valley. Altogether 40 raw buffalo meat samples were collected and assessed. In addition, antibiotic susceptibility of gram-negative bacterial isolates was tested. The total plate count (TPC), and coliform count (CC) in the samples were found comparatively highest from the Asan area of Kathmandu with 9.6±0.02 log CFU/gm and 8.9±0.00 log CFU/gm respectively. Altogether 10 genera of gram-negative bacteria were identified based on the various biochemical tests. The isolated gram-negative bacteria included Proteus spp (39%, 21/54), Pseudomonas (19%, 10/54) Citrobacter spp. (9%, 5/54), E. coli (7%, 4/54), Serratia marcescens (5%, 3/54), Salmonella spp. (9%, 5/54), Enterobacter spp. (2%,1/54), Morganella morganeii (2%,1/54), Klebsiella (2%, 1/54), Yersinia enterocolitica (6%,3/54). The antibiotic susceptibility tests for the isolates was carried against six different antibiotics including-Ofloxacin (OF), Ciprofloxacin (CIP), Nalidixic Acid (NA), Nitrofurantoin (NIT 300), Amoxycillin (AMX) and Chloramphenicol (C). Out of total 54 isolates, 36 were found to be multidrug- resistant. The results of this study clearly revealed buffalo meat sold in Kathmandu valley was contaminated with potential bacterial pathogens which may cause various food- borne illnesses. The occurrence of multi - drug resistant bacteria in the meat samples is alarming threat to public health. Adequate measures to protect bacterial contamination in buffalo meat is highly recommended.

Non-invasive Monitoring of Antioxidants and Stress in Captive Indian Leopards

Background: Captive Indian leopards are exposed to different kind of stresses part of which can be alleviated through supplementation of carotenoids. However, invasive monitoring of antioxidants is often pro-act as a stressor itself. Hence, use of non-invasive monitoring of antioxidants and stress would be desirable. However, before recommendation, such non-invasive procedures must be compared with conventional ones. Hence, this experiment was designed to compare the cortisol and total antioxidants (TAA) status measured either in serum or faecal samples. Methods: Three diets were tested on twelve adult leopards (7 M and 5 F, BW ranging from 45-63 kg) in an experiment based on replicated Latin square design comprising of three treatments, three periods and three sequences and four animals in each sequence. The ratio of buffalo meat: chicken carcass was 100:0, 90:10 and 80:10 in groups CON, GI and GII, respectively. Result: Intake and absolute quantity of carotenoids absorbed increased (P less than 0.01) with increased level of chicken carcass; however, efficiency of absorption was lower (P less than 0.05) in GII as compared to other two groups. Faecal concentrations of cortisol decreased (P less than 0.0001) and TAA increased (P less than 0.0001) with increased level of carotenoids in the diet. Irrespective of the dietary treatments, concentration of cortisol was lower (P less than 0.0001) and TAA was higher in faecal as compared to serum samples. Regression analysis revealed positive relationship between serum and faecal sample assay with respect to both TAA and cortisol. Thus, faecal samples could be used to monitor cortisol and antioxidant status in Indian leopards. Assay of faecal samples indicated that replacement of buffalo meat with chicken at 20% in the diet improved the antioxidants and alleviated stress in captive leopards.

Current Knowledge on River Buffalo Meat: A Critical Analysis

The estimated world population of water buffalo counts around 204 million head, mostly reared for milk production. However, buffaloes also largely contribute to the meat sector, with around 4.3 million tonnes produced in 2019, mainly derived from old animals at the end of their productive or working life and only to a small extent from young animals. Therefore, buffalo meat production has been generally considered unsatisfactory for both quantity and quality. In fact, the dressing percentage is generally lower than 50% and the meat is considered of poor quality mainly due to its dark colour and reduced tenderness. However, in recent years, the healthy properties highlighted by some studies have led to a renewed interest in buffalo meat, with a parallel increase in research. Therefore, this review aims at providing an updated picture on carcass and meat quality traits in river buffalo, with special attention to the intrinsic and extrinsic factors contributing to their variability. The research done so far has demonstrated that river buffaloes can efficiently contribute to the quanti-qualitative production of meat, provided that the meat supply chain is specifically organised for this purpose. The analysis of the available data also showed that further research is needed on the factors affecting meat production in order to gain greater knowledge essential for planning more targeted interventions.

Effect of Breeding Techniques and Prolonged Post Dry Aging Maturation Process on Biomolecule Levels in Raw Buffalo Meat

Recently, several concerns have been expressed on red meat quality and consumption. The aims of this study were to evaluate the influence of different breeding techniques and a prolonged post dry aging (PDA) maturation process on biomolecules level in raw buffalo meat. In the first experiment, two groups of animals were maintained with different space availability (15 vs. 10 m2/animal) for 90 days and biomolecules content was evaluated. In experiment 2, two diets (with or without ryegrass green forage) were used to assess the concentration of these biomolecules. Finally, in experiment 3, the meat of the animals that showed the highest content of biomolecules was chosen to assess the influence of the PDA maturation process. Buffaloes reared at 15 m2 showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher content of the considered biomolecules compared with their counterparts. Similarly, buffaloes fed green forage showed higher content of biomolecules (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. The meat of the animals bred at 15 m2 and fed green forage showed a significant (p < 0.01) increase of biomolecules content during the PDA maturation process up to 60 days without influence microbiological profile in terms of total aerobic bacterial counts, yeasts, and molds. In conclusion, breeding techniques and PDA maturation system could enhance biomolecules levels in terms of quality, without affect health standards.

Buffalo Head Cutting in the Procession of Ngunduh Swallow’s Nest

Ngunduh is a tradition followed by the communities in Karangbolong, Kebumen. There are several kinds of Ngunduh, and one of them is Ngunduh sarang burung walet (swallow’s nest). One of the processions includes cutting the buffalo’s head, since the communities believe that buffalo can be a strength for them, and that cutting its head can transfer the buffalo’s power to them as well as reinforce the community to face the problems in conducting Ngunduh sarang burung walet (swallow’s nest). The meat is also considered helpful in preventing disasters or dreadful things (known as Tolak Bala). The carameat (buffalo meat) is edible and cooked before consumption. Keywords: buffalo head, Ngunduh swallow’s nest, Roland Barthes’ Semiotic Theory