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Effects of Propranolol on Characteristics of Beef Carcasses¹

University of California, Davis 95616

Abstract

"Dark-Cutting" beef commonly results when cattle are subjected to intensive stress prior to slaughter, Epinephrine administration subcutaneously for 24 to 48 hr. prior to slaughter has been shown to mimic the condition produced by natural stress conditions. The ß-adrenergic blockade agent DL-propranolol-HCl has previously been shown to prevent the "dark-cutting" condition when applied to sheep. In the present study, doses of propranolol at 52.8 mg/100 kg and above, administered at six intervals over the 44-hr. period preceding slaughter, were completely effective in prevention of "dark-cutting" beef as induced by epinephrine injection. Propranolol at 17.6 mg/100 kg was marginally effective. Calculations suggest that propranolol in the meat of injected animals would be far below what is considered to be a minimal effective oral dose for human consumption.

¹ Supported in part by Public Health Service Grant FRO6138, HSAA and by Critical Research Fund, UC.

² Laboratory of Muscle Biology, Department of Animal Science.