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Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur
The history of agricultural education in Kerala can be traced back to the year 1896 when a scheme was evolved in the erstwhile Travancore State to train a few young men in scientific agriculture at the Demonstration Farm, Karamana, Thiruvananthapuram, presently, the Cropping Systems Research Centre under Kerala Agricultural University. Agriculture was introduced as an optional subject in the middle school classes in the State in 1922 when an Agricultural Middle School was started at Aluva, Ernakulam District. The popularity and usefulness of this school led to the starting of similar institutions at Kottarakkara and Konni in 1928 and 1931 respectively.
Agriculture was later introduced as an optional subject for Intermediate Course in 1953. In 1955, the erstwhile Government of Travancore-Cochin started the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences at Mannuthy, Thrissur for imparting higher education in agricultural and veterinary sciences, respectively. These institutions were brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Animal Husbandry, respectively. With the formation of Kerala State in 1956, these two colleges were affiliated to the University of Kerala. The post-graduate programmes leading to M.Sc. (Ag), M.V.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees were started in 1961, 1962 and 1965 respectively.
On the recommendation of the Second National Education Commission (1964-66) headed by Dr. D.S. Kothari, the then Chairman of the University Grants Commission, one Agricultural University in each State was established. The State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) were established in India as an integral part of the National Agricultural Research System to give the much needed impetus to Agriculture Education and Research in the Country. As a result the Kerala Agricultural University (KAU) was established on 24th February 1971 by virtue of the Act 33 of 1971 and started functioning on 1st February 1972. The Kerala Agricultural University is the 15th in the series of the SAUs.
In accordance with the provisions of KAU Act of 1971, the Agricultural College and Research Institute at Vellayani, and the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, were brought under the Kerala Agricultural University. In addition, twenty one agricultural and animal husbandry research stations were also transferred to the KAU for taking up research and extension programmes on various crops, animals, birds, etc.
During 2011, Kerala Agricultural University was trifurcated into Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) and Kerala Agricultural University (KAU).
Now the University has seven colleges (four Agriculture, one Agricultural Engineering, one Forestry, one Co-operation Banking & Management), six RARSs, seven KVKs, 15 Research Stations and 16 Research and Extension Units under the faculties of Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering and Forestry. In addition, one Academy on Climate Change Adaptation and one Institute of Agricultural Technology offering M.Sc. (Integrated) Climate Change Adaptation and Diploma in Agricultural Sciences respectively are also functioning in Kerala Agricultural University.
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ThesisItem Open Access Tiletamin-zolazepam anaesthesia with xylazine premedicaiton and reversal with ainophyllin in dogs(Department of Pharmacology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Mini Bharathan; KAU; Chandrasekharan NairThe experiment was conducted to find out the synergistic effect of xylazine with tiletamine – zolazepam anaesthesia and to study the reversing action of aminophylline in tiletamine – zolazepam – xylazine anaesthesia. The study was conducted in 5 batches of 6 dogs each. The first group of animals (c) received tiletamine – zolazepam at the rate of 5 mg/kg I/V. The second group (T1) received xylazine (0.5 mg/kg I/M) and 15 minutes later, tiletamine – zolazepam (2.5 mg/kg I/V). The third group (T2) received xylazine (I mg/kg I/M and 15 minutes later, tiletamine zolazepam (1.25 mg/kg I/V) The treatment schedule that resulted in a greater duration of anaesthesia ie, T2, was chosen for studies in the subsequent groups. The fourth (T3) and fifth (T4) group of animals received the anaesthesia scheduled as in T2, and in the middle of anaesthesia ie. after 8 minutes, the animals were given aminophylline intravenously at the dose rate of 20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg respectively. The anaesthetic parameters like the time of recumbency, time of appearance and disappearance of skin clamp and tail clamp anaesthesia, time of regaining of righting reflex and sternal recumbency, and the time for standing and walking were recorded for all treatments. The rectal temperature, pulse rate and respiration rate were recorded at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after administration of anaesthetic. The haemogram was also studied before, during and after anaesthesia. All the animals came to recumbency after the injection of tiletamine – zolazepam within a mean time of 10 seconds. The time of recumbency and the time of appearance of tail clamp and skin clamp anaesthesia showed no significant difference between the different groups. The time of disappearance of tail clamp anaesthesia for the group C, T1 and T2 were 23.5, 20.2 and 18.6 minutes and for T3 and T4 were 14.2 and 15.7 minutes respectively. Time of disappearance of skin clamp anaesthesia for the groups C, T1, and T2 were 29.5, 23.3 and 22.7 minutes and for the groups T3 and T4 were 14.8 and 16.7 minutes respectively. The time of regaining of righting reflex for the groups C, T1 and T2 were 23.8, 28.8 and 35.3 minutes and for T3 and T4 were 24 and 24.8 minutes respectively. The time of sternal recumbency were 42.8, 33.2 and 43.3 minutes for the groups C, T1 and T2 and 28.5 and 29.8 minutes for T3 and T4 respectively. All these values showed significant difference between C and T2 and also between T2 and T3 and T4. The mean time for standing and walking showed significant difference only between the control group (73.3 and 78.2 minutes respectively) and T2 (47.5 and 48.3 minutes respectively), but not between T2, T3 and T4. The duration of skin clamp anaesthesia, tail clamp anaesthesia and the recovery time were significantly shorter for the group T3 when compared to T2. The most noticeable behavioural characteristics during recovery were rhythmic head and neck rocking, whining and paddling and these were present only in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in the rectal temperature during anaesthesia except at 10 minutes time, when the decrease in temperature was greater for T3 and T4 when compared to T2. There was no significant difference in the pulse rate also between the group throughout anaesthesia, with an exception only at 15 minutes when the increase in pulse rate was greater for C than for T2. The decrease in respiratory rate was significantly greater for T2 when compared to C from 5 to 30 minutes during anaesthesia. The haemogram showed no significant difference between the groups during anaesthesia. From the results obtained, it could be concluded that 1. the combination of xylazine (I mg/kg I/M) and tiletamine – zolazepam (1.25 mg/kg I/V) could be used to produce satisfactory, short – term anaesthesia in dogs and 2. aminophylline at a dose rate of 20 mg/kg I/V could be used to reverse anaesthesia produced by tiletamine – zolazepam – xylazine combinatioThesisItem Open Access Effect of floor density on production performance in Japanese quails reared in cages and deep litter(Department of Poultry Science, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Padmakumar, B; KAU; Reghunathan Nair, GTo suggest a suitable system of rearing and optimum floor space allowance for Japanese quail rearing, so as to reduce housing cost and to achieve batter efficiency, a study was carried out to evaluate the production performance of quails reared in cages and deep litter with different floor densities. In cage system of rearing the floor densities evaluated were 100, 150, 200 and 250 sq. cm and in deep litter system, 150, 200 and 250 sq. era per bird. The experiment was carried out from the fifth week of age to 50th week of age each group with four replications. Except for the difference in floor densities, ail the managemental practices followed were the same and the data war. recorded for nine, 35-day periods. The system of housing had no effect on the body weight, but an increase in floor space resulted in a hike in the body weight. Age at first egg, IQ per cent production and 50 per _cent production were not influenced by the type of housing. in deep litter system, they were signifieantly affected by the different floor densities?, but not. in cage system of rearing, System of housing did not affect the egg production. But in cages, different flour densities significantly affected the egg production. This was not seen in deep litter system of rearing. The mean daily feed consumption was not affected by the system of housing. But the different floor densities in cages and deep litter had significant effect on feed consumption. System of housing and floor density variation had no effect on feed -efficiency. The percent Livability also has shown a similar trend. System of housing significantly affected the weight of eggs. The treatment groups in cages significantly affected the egg weight, but not in deep litter. Egg quality traits were neither affected by system of housing nor the floor density variations. Based on correlation of part year and full year productions, 35 weeks of age was found advantageous for selection of breeders. In cage system, it was found to be 15 weeks and in deep litter 35 weeks . The returns over feed cost was found to be better in cage system of rearing compared to deep litter. Between the different floor density allowances, 200 sq.cm floor space per bird surpassed all the other treatments. So it is concluded that the floor space allowance of 200 sq. cm per bird in cages is ideal for Japanese quail rearing.ThesisItem Open Access Managemental effects of synchronization of oestrus in goats(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Shivkumar, S; KAU; Thomas, C KAn experiment was conducted to study the managemental effects of synchronization of oestrus in goats using parentral administration of PGF2 alpha, on a flock of Malabari, Malabari x Saanen and Malabari x Alpine goats maintained at the Agricultural University Goat Farm, Mannuthy. Forty cyclic goats were selected in pairs on the basis of similarity in genetic group, body weight and age. The does from each pair were allotted to two groups at random. Out of these one group at random formed the treatment group and the other control. The goats in the treatment group were given two injections of 10 mg (I/M) each of PGF2 alpha separated by 11 days, in two batches of 10 goats each. The animals were mated at the synchronized oestrus following the second PG injection. The does in the control group were mated as and when they came to oestrus. Heat detection in the does was carried out by parading the vasectomised bucks twice daily and by observing the behavioural manifestations of oestrus. The results and conclusions of the study are given below. The PGF2 alpha treated goats showed 75 and 100 per cent oestrus synchrony after a mean interval of 45.93+2.19h and 48.38+2.06 h following the. first and second injection of PGF2 alpha respectively. Of the various signs of oestrus only rapid waving of tail in the presence of male and vaginal mucous discharge were observed in all the does in oestrus. Various signs of oestrus behaviour including receptivity was found to be more pronounced in oestrus synchronized does using PGF2 alpha than in the controls. Mated does showed pricking of ear and arching of back as post coital reactions. Conception rate following mating at the first oestrus was better in the treatment group (85%) than the controls (75%). Body weight changes during pregnancy was not found to be affected by synchronization of oestrus with prostaglandin F2alpha. Mean gestation period in the treatment group was ,148.14+0.80 days compared to 143.88+0.78 days in the controls, the difference being significant (P < 0.05). Overall 61.3 per cent of the parturitions were observed to occur between 0600 to 1800 hours. Maternal behaviour studies showed no significant difference between the does in the control (av. score 3) and treatment group (av. Score 2.8). Multiparas were observed to possess better maternal Instinct than the primipara does. The new born kids attempted to stand up within 8 to 15 minutes and 68 per cent of them suckled from the dam's teat within one hour of birth. In the control group 88 per cent of the kiddings were singles and 11.77 per cent twins compared to 85.71 per cent singles and 14.29 per cent twins in the treatment group. Comparing the growth of kids with respect to body weights and body measurements at fortnightly intervals from birth to 90 days of age, showed that the growth rate of kids born from synchronized oestrus was similar to that of control kids. Suckling behaviour in the kids revealed that the overall mean duration of suckling was 2.61 minutes and mean rate of suckling was 49.65 g per minute. It was observed that the rate of butting and intensity of tail wagging increased as the flow of milk from the teats got reduced. The mean daily milk yield from first to thirteenth week of lactation in the control and treatment g roups were found to be 0.509+0.015 kg and 0.493+0.014 kg respectively. Man nours requirements to look after the does and raising the kids born to tham to 90 days of age in both the control and treatment group, revealed that there was a man hour saving of 12.3 per cent in the oestrus synchronized group (treatment) than the untreated controls.ThesisItem Open Access Prostaglandin therapy for post-partum clinical endometritis(Department of Animal Reproduction, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Jacob, T C; KAU; Madhavan, EThe object of the investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic values of alpha# for evolving a non antibiotic alternative for the treatment of post partum clinical endometritis. For this, 42 cross-bred cows, belonging to University Livestock Farm, Mannuthy, having post partum clinical endometritis were divided into four groups. Group I consisted of 10 animals which were watched for their natural oestrus and inseminated twice at 24 hours interval. In group II, 11 animals were observed for their natural oestrus and inseminated twice at 24 hours interval and were given post insemination intrauterine antibiotic treatment 24 hours later based on antibiotic sensitivity test. Eleven animals in group III were subjected to induction of oestrus by administration of PGF2 alpha (Lutalyse) 25 mg intramuscular 8-12 days of their cycle and inseminated twice at 24 hours, at the induced oestrus. Group IV consisted of 10 animals subjected to induction of oestrus as in group III and inseminated twice at 24 hours interval and were given post insemination intrauterine antibiotic therapy based on sensitivity tests, 24 hours later. The observations made and inferences drawn are given below. The interval from the administration of PGF2 alpha to the onset of oestrus ranged from 4.8-120 hours (mean 61.81 hours) and 36 to 72 hours (mean 54.0 hours) in group III and IV, respectively. The mean duration of oestrus was 21.6 hours, 23.36 hours, 28.36 hours and 31.60 hours in the four groups respectively. The duration of oestrus showed significant variation between groups I and IV (f = 2-8910) and between groups II and IV (t* = 2.6445). The percentage of intense, medium and weak oestrus was 66.66, 23.80 and 9.52 per cent respectively in natural oestrus and 66.66, 19.04 and 14.28 in induced oestrus respectively. The difference in the intensity of oestrus between natural and induced oestrus was not significantly different, although, a slightly high incidence of weak oestrus was observed, when oestrus was induced with Lutalyse. Physical changes of the reproductive tract' like oedema of the vulva, congestion of vulval mucosa and sliminess did not show any variation between the natural oestrus and induced oestrus. The percentage of animals showing purulent discharge, discharge with flakes and cloudy discharge showed a marked reduction when treated with PGF2 alpha alone and a combination of PGF2 alpha and antibiotics. Similarly the percentage of animals showing clear discharge increased enormously by above treatments. The bacterial organisms isolated from the uterine discharges were citrobacter spp. 23.84 per cent, Bacillus spp.. 23.80 per cent, S. aureus .14.28 per cent, Pseudomonas 14.28 per cent, Corynebacterium spp. 9.52 per cent, Coagulase negative staphylococci, 9.52 per cent and the yeast Candida guilliermondii 4.76 per cent. Gentamicin was the most sensitive antibiotic for most of the organisms isolated, followed by chloramphenicol, oxytetracycline and sulphadiazine. Penicillin was the most resistant followed by streptomycin and nitrofurantoin. Significant difference in the overall conception rate was observed between different groups; the overall conception rate was significantly higher in group IV than in group I and II (t1 = 4.8341 between groups I & IV and t' = 2.9186 betweengroups II & IV). Significantly higher conception rate was observed in group III than group I also (t ' = 5.5886). The number of inseminations required per conception was lowest in group III and highest in group I. Thus, it appeared that PGF2 alpha in combination with antibiotic was beneficial in the treatment of clinical endometritis. But since the number of inseminations required for conception was lower in group III than group IV and because, there is no significant difference in the overall conception rate, between these two groups, it could be inferred that administration of antibiotics along with P G F 2 alpha did not have any added advantage. Furthermore, considering the harmful effects of administration of antibiotics, it may be stated that PGF2 alpha alone would be beneficial in the treatment of post partum clinical endometritis and can be recommended as the drug of choiceThesisItem Open Access Effect of acetic acid and propionic acid on bacteriological quality of beef(Department of Veterinery Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Mannuthy, 1993) Latha, C; KAU; Nanu, EThe bacterial contamination of meat surface is posing a threat to public health and meat trade. It is necessary to minimise the bacterial load at all levels of production, storage and marketing. Use of sanitizer is one of the methods suggested for reducing the bacterial load on carcass surface. The study was undertaken to assess the efficiency of acetic and propionic acids at one and two per cent strength as sanitizer on beef. Carcasses obtained from Kerala Agricultural University Slaughter House, were subjected for the study. The samples were maintained at ambient temperature for 24 h. The acid treatment of samples was done immediately after slaughter. The total viable count,coliform count and faecal streptococcal count were estimated by standard methods at zero, one, five, nine, and twenty-four hours of storage. An upward trend of bacterial load was observed during storage. At all intervals, the bacterial load was significantly lower in treated samples compared to that of control. The bacterial load was found to be significantly lower in samples subjected to acid treatments at two per cent level than one per cent. The persistence of the effect was found to be inversely proportional to the duration of storage. The bacterial load could generally be confined with one per cent acetic acid upto five hours and nine hours with two per cent acetic acid within the initial count Though propionic acid at one and two per cent levels had beneficial effect acetic acid was found to be betterThesisItem Open Access Effects of weight at weaning and plane of feeding on the onset of puberty in gilts(Department of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Lalnuntluangi, Hmar; KAU; Rajagopalan, T GThirty six Large White Yorkshire weanling females of 8 kg (light weaners) and 12 kg (heavy weaners) were randomly maintained on three different planes of feeding with respect to crude protein (CP) and digestible energy (DE) viz. (i) NRC recommended levels as control, (ii) a high plane (HP) of 10 per cent increase of CP and DE with respect to NRC level and (iii) a low plane (LP) of 10 per cent decrease of CP and DE with respect to Nrc from weaning to puberty. The fortnightly and daily weight gain was higher in pigs fed NRC diet. The heavy weaners were having a better growth rate, daily gain, higher feed intake and attained puberty earlier than the light weaners, but the feed conversion efficiency was lower than light weaners. The heavy weaners on high plane attained puberty earlier than animals on NRC or low plane diet. In light weaners, NRC group attained puberty earlier than HP and LP group. In both heavy and light weaners, LP group attained puberty later than the other treatment groups. Plane of feeding has no significant effect on puberty attainment, oestrous cycle length and duration of pubertal cestrus but weight at weaning has a significant effect on the onset of puberty. Oestrous hehaviour expressed as scores was significantly affected by plane of feeding. The animals on high plane diet consumed less feed in both heavy and light weaners and have the highest feed conversion efficiency. The light weaners consumed feed comparatively lower and have better feed conversion efficiency than heavy weaners. The overall result suggested that heavy weaners on high plane diet are most efficient in feed conversion efficiency, economy and attainment of puberty at younger age. On the whole, the heavy weaners are more economical for replacement stock than light weaners.ThesisItem Open Access Xylazine anaesthesia in calves with diazepam premedication(Department of Surgery, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Regi Varghese George, P; KAU; Rajankutty, KThe study was undertaken to find out the efficacy of xylazine alone and xylazine in combination with diazepam for anaesthesia in calves and to evaluate the haematological and systemic changes consequent on administration of these drugs. The experimental study was conducted on 24 apparantly healthy crossbread calves aged six to twelve months and weighing 47 to 80kg . They were divided into two groups viz.,group I and group II and each group was further divided into two subgroups viz., A and B consisting of six animals each. Xylazine was administered IM at the rate of 0.20mg and 0.30 mg/kg bodyweight in subgroups I A and IB respectively. Diazepam at the rate of 1.0mg/kg bodyweight and 15min. later xylazine at the rate of 0.20mg and 0.30 mg/kg bodyweight were administered IM in subgroups II A and II B respectively. The induction time was 8.50 + 1.47 min and 4.67 + 0.56 min in subgroups I A and I B respectively, whereas it was 8.67 + 1.71 min and 3.33 + 0.77 min in subgroups IIA and II B respectively. The clinical signs of anaesthesia generally observed in these animals were incoordination of movements, assumption of sterna recumbency, salivation, protrusion of tongue, assumption of lateral recumbency, drooping of eyelids, twitching and dropping of ears, bellowing, deviation of eyeball, flaccidity of the tail and relaxation of abdominal muscles. Palpebral reflex was sluggish in all the subgroups except in subgroup II B wherein it was absent. Response to pinprick though sluggish, was noticed in group I whereas insensititivity to pinprick was noticed in group II. Duration of anaesthesia was 107.17 + 5.22 min and 115.67 + 10.03 min in subgroups I A and I B, whereas it was 199.83 + 36.55 min and 390.33 + 61.31 min in subgroups IIA and II B respectively. Increase in the doses of xylazine had prolonged the duration of anesthesia. Premedication with diazepam had still further prolonged the duration of anaesthesia. Sedation was good enough in all the groups for preparing and handling the animals for surgery. During laparotomy, in animals where xylazine alone was administered symptoms of pain were observed, but to a lesser extent with the higher dose. When premedicated with diazepam, incising and suturing of skin did not cause pain, but incising and suturing muscles and peritoneum caused pain. The animals did not exhibit signs of pain or swelling at the site of injection following xylazine injection, but diazepam injection was found painful. All the animals resumed feeding and drinking soon after recovery, but they were dull for varying periods from three to twenty four hours. Decrease in rectal temperature and pulse rate was observed in both the groups, which gradually became normal. Decrease in respiration rate was observed in group I whereas in group II, there was increase in respiration rate. In subgroup II B, the respiration was jerky and abdominal. Electrocardiogram revealed decreased heart rate in both the groups after the administration of xylazine. Decrease in total erythrocyte and leukocyte counts was observed in both the groups, which gradually became normal. A slight neutropenia with lymphocytosis was evident when xylazine alone was administered. When xylazine was combined with diazepam neutrophilia with lymphocytopenia was observed. Marked variation in monocyte, eosinophil and basophil counts were not observed in both the groups. Reduction in packed cell volume, decrease in haemoglobin concentration and slight increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate were observed in both the groups. Serum sodium and potassium concentration did not show any marked variation, whereas serum chloride concentration recorded an increase in both the groups. The total serum protein content decreased in both the groups and serum glutamic pyruvic transminase value recorded slight increase. There was marked increase in blood glucose value in both the groups. From the study it was found that : (i) administration of xylazine alone did not result in analgesia good enough to perform major surgical operations and (ii) premedication with diazepam was found to deepen the effect of sedation to a considerable extent. It would be desirable to resort to local infiltration or regional block also, for complete analgesia for major surgical operations.ThesisItem Open Access Nutritive evaluation of prawn waste -paddy straw silage in cattle(Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Jose James; KAU; Ramachandran, PPrawn waste was ensiled with chopped paddy straw in equal proportions (1:1 wet basis) using 10 per cent tapioca flour as additive for a period of 50 days. The same proportions of ingredients were mixed and ensiled in smaller silos for 21 days to study the silage characteristics. The prawn waste – paddy straw silage formed after both the periods of ensiling were similar with a characteristic brownish colour and desirable aroma and had no evidence of any fungal growth. Ensiling resulted in an increase in fibre fractions and decrease in crude protein contents, with significant (P < 0.01) differences in nutrient levels between silages after 21 days and 50 days of fermentation. The water soluble carbohydrate content and pH declined significantly (P < 0.01) over different periods of ensiling. The volatile fatty acid proportion in prawn waste – paddy straw silage was optimum after 21 days of fermentation, acetic acid being the predominant one. With increase in period of ensiling, acetic acid levels declined while butyric acid levels increased about five fold, without any change in propionic acid concentration. Trimethylamine levels showed a significant (P < 0.01) increase after different periods of ensiling. Three digestion experiments (Trial 1, 11 and 111) were carried out using six, adult, dry, nonpregnant cows with grass hay (basal ration) alone, grass hay plus paddy straw and grass hay plus prawn waste – paddy straw silage respectively. The overall results of the feeding experiments indicated that prawn waste – paddy straw silage is relished and well digested by cattle as evidenced by a relatively higher feed intake and digestibility coefficients of nutrients. A critical evaluation of the results obtained during the course of the present investigation indicated that prawn waste can be satisfactorily ensiled with paddy straw and tapioca flour as additive and that the material can form a potential alternate feed source for cattle, worth studying in detail.ThesisItem Open Access Effect of electrical stimulation on beef quality(Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, 1993) Sunil, M; KAU; Padmanabha Iyer, RApplication of electrical stimulation to pre-vigor muscle is considered as a method to prevent cold-shortening and to improve tenderness and consumer acceptability. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of electrical stimulation on changes in PH, non-protein nitrogen (NPN) content, Total viable count (TVC) and organoleptic characters of beef stored at ambient and refrigeration temperatures, at specified intervals of time. Ten carcasses of adult cattle were subjected to the study. Electrical stimulation (ES) (alternating current at 110V, 50Hz and 20 pulses per second) was applied on left fore-quarter for 120 seconds. The right fore-quarter was kept as control ( c) . Triceps brachii muscles were collected from ES and C sides immediately after stimulation and stored at ambient temperature for 12 h and at refrigeration temperature for 24h. The rate of fall in PH in ES was highly significant than in C at all intervals except at 24 h.The fall in PH in C was faster at ambient temperature compared to that under refrigeration temperature upto 8 h. Highly significant increase in NPN was observed during storage in ES compared to C. TVC was found to increase on storage at both temperatures. But the increase was significantly lower in ES than in C at ambient temperature at 8h. In refrigerated samples, at 12 h TVC in ES was lower than in C and the difference was significant (P<0.05). The organoleptic characters of samples were evaluated by a 5 member semi-trained taste panel. The flavor score for ES at ambient temperature was significantly higher than for C at 8h. The juiceness score was significantly higher in ES than in C at 0 and 8h at ambient temperature and at 24h at refrigeration temperature. Tenderness score at 8h was significantly higher in ES than in C at ambient temperature. Under refrigeration temperature difference in tenderness score between C and ES samples was highly significant at 8 and 24h. No significant difference was noticed in connective tissue score between C and ES samples. There was highly significant increase in overall acceptability for ES than for C at 8h at ambient temperature and 24h at refrigeration temperature.
