Journal of Animal Science, Vol 68, Issue 7 1980-1986, Copyright © 1990 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Effects of percentage Brahman and Angus breeding, age-season of feeding and slaughter end point on meat palatability and muscle characteristics

D. D. Johnson, R. D. Huffman, S. E. Williams and D. D. Hargrove
University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Gainesville 32611.

Steers (n = 125) of known percentage Angus (A) and Brahman (B) breeding (A = 31, 3/4A:1/4B = 32, 1/2A:1/2B = 31, 1/4A:3/4B = 31) were slaughtered after being fed as calves during the cool period of the year or fed as yearlings during the warm period of the year. Steers were slaughtered at equivalent outside fat thickness as monitored visually and with real-time ultrasound. Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force increased and sensory panel tenderness decreased as percentage Brahman increased. Loin muscle characteristics indicated that differences in tenderness between breed groups were not attributed to cold shortening effects or differences in amount or integrity of connective tissue. Fragmentation values suggested that breed group tenderness differences probably resulted from differences in the muscle fiber component. A 10-d postmortem aging study revealed a differential breed group response to postmortem aging, suggesting that breed groups differed in amount and(or) activity of naturally occurring proteolytic enzymes in muscle tissue.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. M. Ibrahim, D. E. Goll, J. A. Marchello, G. C. Duff, V. F. Thompson, S. W. Mares, and H. A. Ahmad Effect of two dietary concentrate levels on tenderness, calpain and calpastatin activities, and carcass merit in Waguli and Brahman steers J Anim Sci, June 1, 2008; 86(6): 1426 - 1433. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Smith, J. D. Domingue, J. C. Paschal, D. E. Franke, T. D. Bidner, and G. Whipple Genetic parameters for growth and carcass traits of Brahman steers J Anim Sci, June 1, 2007; 85(6): 1377 - 1384. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. S. Brewer, J. M. James, C. R. Calkins, R. M. Rasby, T. J. Klopfenstein, and R. V. Anderson Carcass traits and M. longissimus lumborum palatability attributes of calf- and yearling-finished steers J Anim Sci, May 1, 2007; 85(5): 1239 - 1246. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. G. Riley, C. C. Chase Jr., T. D. Pringle, R. L. West, D. D. Johnson, T. A. Olson, A. C. Hammond, and S. W. Coleman Effect of sire on {micro}- and m-calpain activity and rate of tenderization as indicated by myofibril fragmentation indices of steaks from Brahman cattle J Anim Sci, October 1, 2003; 81(10): 2440 - 2447. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. G. Riley, C. C. Chase Jr., A. C. Hammond, R. L. West, D. D. Johnson, T. A. Olson, and S. W. Coleman Estimated genetic parameters for palatability traits of steaks from Brahman cattle J Anim Sci, January 1, 2003; 81(1): 54 - 60. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. D. Bidner, W. E. Wyatt, P. E. Humes, D. E. Franke, and D. C. Blouin Influence of Brahman-derivative breeds and Angus on carcass traits, physical composition, and palatability J Anim Sci, August 1, 2002; 80(8): 2126 - 2133. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]