C. Sañudo

Fatty acid composition and sensory characteristics of lamb carcasses from Britain and Spain

Fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat in M. Longissimus was measured in four groups of lambs representing two Spanish breeds: Rasa Aragonesa (RA) and Merino (ME) and two British lamb types: the Welsh Mountain breed (WM), whose carcasses were purchased in Spain and typical early lambs (EL) purchased in Britain. The lambs grown in Spain were concentrate fed and slaughtered at a lighter weight and lower age than those grown in Britain. The British lamb carcasses purchased in Spain were of a similar weight to the Spanish lambs but were lighter than the lamb carcasses purchased in Britain. The British lambs were grass fed. Relationships between fatty acid (FA) composition and sensory attributes were examined following sensory testing of all lambs by both British and Spanish taste panels. The production system was shown to be more important than breed in determining FA composition. British lambs had higher percentages, within total fatty acids, of 18:0, 18:3 (n-3) and long chain polyunsaturated n-3 FA and lower percentages of 18:2 (n-6) and long chain polyunsaturated n-6 FA than Spanish lambs. These differences were due to the different feeding systems used. The amounts of these FA in muscle (mg/100 g) were also different between the British and Spanish groups, not only because the British lambs had more total fat. For both taste panels, odour and flavour intensity were positively correlated with the amounts and percentages of 18:0 and 18:3 and negatively correlated with those of 18:2. This was explained by the fact that both panels gave higher odour and flavour intensity scores to the grass-fed British lamb with high 18:3 levels and lower scores to the concentrate-fed Spanish lamb with high 18:2 levels. However, 18:0 and 18:3 were positively correlated with flavour quality and overall appraisal for the British panel and negatively for the Spanish panel. Conversely, 18:2 was a positive contributor to flavour and overall preference for the Spanish panel and was negative for the British panel. The results show that the production system affects muscle fatty acid composition and the flavour of lamb. However, peoples preference is determined to a large extent by their past experience.

Breed type and ageing time effects on sensory characteristics of beef strip loin steaks.

Forty-two yearling males from seven European beef breeds were used to study breed type and ageing time effects on meat sensory quality. Breeds were grouped according to their double muscled condition (DM), dual-purpose condition (Brown Swiss, BS), fast growth rate (FG) and rustic characteristics (RT). Vacuum packaged loin chops were aged for 1, 3, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days at 4°C and evaluated by a trained taste panel. Ageing time had the main influence in all the studied sensorial descriptors. Breed type did not affect juiciness, fibrosity or overall flavour intensity. Interactions between breed type and ageing appeared in global odour intensity, tenderness (p<0.05) and acid flavour intensity (p<0.01). All breed types showed higher tenderness scores as ageing period increased but, comparatively, those with higher scores at an early postmortem period (DM, FG) showed lower scores at a late postmortem time. A possible faster, but shorter and less intensive meat tenderisation rate in animals with double muscled condition, and its particular collagen characteristics, in relation to BS and RT groups, could explain our findings.

Influence of carcass weight on instrumental and sensory lamb meat quality in intensive production systems

The influence of carcass weight (CW) on instrumental and sensory meat quality traits was studied in Rasa Aragonesa lamb carcasses. Forty-six intact male lamb carcasses were divided into three groups: 8.07 (S.D. 0.36) kg (A); 10.22 (S.D. 0.79) kg (B) and 13.42 (S.D. 1.36) kg (C). Results indicate that CW significantly influenced instrumental measurements in all the traits considered, except for waterholding capacity. The weight increase produced higher pH, haem pigment and redness (a (∗)) and lower lightness. Shear values were higher (p ≤ 0.01) in group B. Sensory traits were not influenced by CW with the exception of juiciness. This parameter increased in the order A-B-C, and the subjective colour estimation was darker in groups B and C. The results show that it is possible to produce heavier or lighter lamb carcasses than traditional lamb (Ternasco de Aragón, group B), without significant losses in meat quality. This fact could give flexibility to a system permitting the slaughter weight to be adjusted to variations in seasonal prices.

Beef colour evolution as a function of ultimate pH.

Colour in CIELAB space was assessed in 31 yearling entire male cattle from their reflectance spectra (400-700 nm) at six different times (0 min, 15 min, 5 h, 48 h, 6 days and 9 days). Cluster analysis applied to all the colour co-ordinates divided the samples into two groups according to their ultimate pH (pHu): pH<6.1 and pH⩾6.1. pH ranged between 5.17 and 7.10. Colour development in pH⩾6.1 group was less visually appreciable than in pH<6.1 group. This difference was also observed in the reflectance spectra. The application of discriminant analysis to these groups established that b* and h* CIELAB co-ordinates are the most discriminant variables. Meat pigment evolution was assessed by the spectrophotometric indexes. R (∞)(632)- R (∞)(614); K S (614)- K S (632) and the K S (630)- K S (580) indexes were found to be the most significant to represent the difference between the two groups.

Assessment of breed type and ageing time effects on beef meat quality using two different texture devices

Forty-two male yearlings were used to assess the influence of breed type and ageing time on beef texture. Samples of the M. longissimus dorsi of four breed types [double muscled (DM), dual purpose (Brown Swiss, BS), fast growth (FG) and unimproved type (UT)] were aged for 1, 3, 7, 10, 14 or 21 days at 4°C and frozen at -18°C until analysed. Cooked samples (to end-point of 70°C) were assessed using a Warner-Bratzler (WB) device. Raw samples were assessed using a compression device in which transverse elongation was prevented. There were no significant differences in WB values of cooked meat due to breed type, but ageing had a significant (P<0.05) on maximum load. Ageing, but not breed type, had a significant effect on the compression values of raw meat at low compression rates (P<0.001). Compression values, of raw samples, at 80% compression differed significantly (P<0.001) between breed types, but were not affected by ageing. Compression values of raw samples, at 80% compression, were affected by breed type, probably because of genotype differences in the contribution of connective tissue.

Fatty acid composition of meat from typical lamb production systems of Spain, United Kingdom, Germany and Uruguay

The fatty acid composition of commercial lambs from different production systems of Spain, Germany, United Kingdom and of two types of Uruguayan lambs (heavy and light) was studied. Concentrate fed lambs, as Spanish lambs, displayed the highest proportions of linoleic acid (C18:2), while Uruguayan lambs, reared under extensive grazing conditions, showed the highest proportions of linolenic acid (C18:3), due to the great concentration of this fatty acid in grass. German and British lambs, which were fed grass and concentrate, displayed intermediate proportions of linolenic acid (C18:3). Heavy Uruguayan lambs had higher intramuscular fat content (5.92%) than German (4.25%) and British (4.32%) lambs, and this content was twofold higher than light lambs (Spanish (2.41%) and light Uruguayan (3.05%)). Heavy Uruguayan, German and British lambs had a low polyunsaturated/saturated (P/S) ratio due to their high saturated fatty acid (SFA) content and proportion. Principal component analysis was performed to study the relationship between fatty acids. Spanish lambs were clearly separated from the other types and were situated close to the proportions of short chain and n-6 fatty acids and n-6/n-3 ratio in the data plot for fatty acid proportions. Light Uruguayan lambs were located close to long chain fatty acids, and heavy Uruguayan and British lambs were placed near the antithrombotic potential (ATT), stearic acid (C18:0), SFA and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) proportions. German lambs were located between Spanish lambs and the other types.

Relationship between collagen characteristics, lipid content and raw and cooked texture of meat from young bulls of fifteen European breeds.

Variations in texture were determined for 10 day aged raw and cooked Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle from 436 bulls of 15 European cattle breeds slaughtered at an age of 13-16 months. Variations in texture were related to differences in pH 24 h post-mortem, sarcomere length, collagen characteristics and lipid content. The shear force of cooked meat samples varied from 43.8 to 67.4 N/cm². Simmental, Highland and Marchigiana cattle had the highest shear force values and Avileña-Negra Ibérica, Charolais, Casina and Pirenaica cattle had the lowest values. Cooked meat toughness showed a weak negative correlation to lipid content (P<0.001) but no correlation to collagen characteristics. Raw meat texture measured by compression correlated positively (P<0.001) with total and insoluble collagen. In conclusion, collagen characteristics showed correlation to raw meat texture but not to cooked meat toughness of LT muscle in European young bulls.

Assessment of commercial lamb meat quality by British and Spanish taste panels

Trained sensory panels in Britain and Spain assessed loin meat from commercial lambs purchased in Spain, which included Welsh lamb (imported from Britain) and two Spanish breeds (Merino and Rasa Aragonesa). The British panel also assessed British lamb purchased in local butcher shops and supermarkets. Sensory panels, in each country, received meat from the same lambs and used their local methods of cooking and assessment. Spanish panels used unstructured line scales to measure lamb odour intensity, tenderness, juiciness, lamb flavour intensity and two hedonic scales of flavour liking and overall liking. The British panel used 8 point category scales with the same attributes. Results from both panels in objective parameters were in agreement, hence showing that different trained sensory panels may arrive at the same conclusion. However, when panellists were allowed to make hedonic judgements (preference), the British panel preferred British lamb and the Spanish panel preferred Spanish lamb. This finding has important consequences for lamb producers who export their lambs and demonstrates that the underlying reasons for different preferences should be investigated. Production variables are discussed in relation to their influence on lamb eating quality and as a way to tailor lamb eating quality attributes familiar to consumers in the importing country.

Breed effect on carcase and meat quality of suckling lambs

The influence of breed on carcase and meat quality traits was studied in 48 suckling lambs (approximately 1 month old) from the Churra, Castellana and Manchega Spanish breeds and Awassi crosses. Carcase quality traits were determined by visual assessment and objective measurements. Meat quality was assessed by instrumental and sensory analysis. Breed effect was significant for fatness, carcase conformation and fat colour (visual indicators); dressing %, carcase weight, carcase length, buttock and chest measurements, and lean and fat proportions in the left half of the carcase. A significant breed effect was observed for some instrumental measurements of meat quality (meat colour and cooking losses), and for some sensorial attributes (tenderness and juiciness). These results suggest that there is a measurable effect of breed on both carcase and meat quality traits in this type of young suckling lamb, owing to differences in precocity and inherent productive capabilities.

Carcass and meat quality in light lambs from different fat classes in the EU carcass classification system.

Ninety commercial lamb carcasses were analysed according to the four different fat classes in the light lamb European classification system. Shoulder fat increased 3%, muscle decreased 2% and bone decreased 1% for each class increase. No significant differences were found among fat classes regarding pH, WHC, cooking losses, juiciness, myoglobin content, meat colour measured immediately after cutting (L*, a*, b*), odour intensity or flavour quality. Some differences were found in colour evolution through ageing. Shear force decreased and tenderness and flavour intensity increased with fat class but this effect was only significant in the leanest animals.