CERTAIN ASPECTS OF CARCASS AND MEAT QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SWAMP BUFFALOES OF ASSAM
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Date
2019-07
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College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati
Abstract
The swamp buffaloes of Assam play an important role in the socio-economic as
well as socio-cultural life of the people of Assam. Swamp buffaloes are poor in milk
production but yield excellent source of meat.
It is widely recognized that meat is an excellent source of good quality protein
provides all essential amino acids and several micro-nutrients in proper proportion to
support human health. As some people have wrong conception towards the consumption
of red meat that it causes cardiovascular diseases, but in present day situation the best
alternative red meat is carabeef, a rich source of hypocholesterolemic fatty acids. Buffalo
is the only potential animal that can boost meat industry in India.
A study on the carcass characteristics and meat quality traits including viz. pH,
Water Holding Capacity (WHC), Extract Release Volume (ERV), Drip loss, Cooking
loss, TBARS, Tyrosine value, Muscle fibre diameter, MFI, Hydroxyproline content,
Proximate Composition, Texture and Colour profile analysis along with organoleptic,
shelf-life and microbial qualities of meat of swamp buffaloes of the age groups 2-4 years
and above 4 years of either sexes were carried out. Twenty buffaloes were slaughtered in
service type of slaughterhouses. Their live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage,
carcass length, loin eye area, weight of different wholesale cuts and by-products were
recorded. The physico-chemical qualities were assessed on 1st, 2nd, 4th and 6th day. The
representative meat samples (L. dorsi) were kept at refrigerated temperature (4 ± 1°C) up
to 6th day for quality assessment.
Significant (P < 0.01) and progressive increase in live weight, carcass weight,
carcass length, loin eye area and dressing percentages were recorded along with increase
in age and irrespective of sexes although these were recorded more pronounced in male
than female. A progressive increase in by-products yields were recorded as age advanced
and were found to be more in female than in male. The weight of fore quarter was more
than the hind quarters, round followed by chuck were the heaviest among the wholesale
cuts. The meat pH did not show significant differences. Although there was significant
(P < 0.01) increase in the overall mean values of pH and WHC (sq cm) during the
refrigerated storage. Yet, there were no significant differences in overall mean pH and
WHC values with increasing age of buffaloes of either sexes.
The overall mean ERV (ml/100gm) and shear force values (kg/cm2) were higher
on 1st day as compared to 6th day of refrigerated storage. There was significant (P < 0.01)
increase in the overall mean of shear force along with increase in the age of both the
sexes of buffaloes but no significant differences were observed in overall mean ERV
values. TBARS (mg malonaldehyde/kg) and Tyrosine (mg tyrosine/100gm) values
increased significantly (P < 0.01) with the increase in the refrigerated storage period
from 1st to 6th day. No significant differences were observed in overall mean TBARS and
Tyrosine values with the increasing age of either sex of swamp buffaloes. A significant
(P < 0.01) decrease in the overall mean values of per cent MFI was recorded with
increase in the age of both the sexes of buffaloes. The overall mean per cent MFI values
increased significantly (P < 0.01) along with the increase in the storage periods from 1st
to 6th day. Muscle fibre diameter (μ) and per cent Hydroxyproline content were higher on
1st day as compared to 6th day of storage in refrigeration temperature. The overall mean
Muscle fibre diameter and per cent Hydroxyproline content increased significantly
(P < 0.01) on increase in the age of buffaloes of both sexes.
On Texture Profile Analysis, the overall mean values of hardness (g), springiness
(mm), cohesiveness, chewiness and resilience were found to be significantly (P < 0.05)
decreased from 1st to 6th day of storage. There was no significant differences in the
overall mean values of hardness (g), springiness (mm), cohesiveness, chewiness and
resilience on increase in the age of both sexes of buffaloes. On colour profile analysis,
significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the overall mean values of lightness (L*) with the
increase in the age of either sexes of buffaloes. The overall mean values of lightness (L*)
increased significantly (P < 0.01) with the increase in the storage period from 1st to 6th
day and significant (P < 0.01) increase in overall mean values of redness (a*) with the
increase in the age of both the sexes of buffaloes. The overall mean values of redness (a*)
decreased significantly (P < 0.01) with the increase in storage period from 1st to 6th day.
There was significant (P < 0.01) decrease in the overall mean values of yellowness (b*)
with the increase in the age of both the sexes of buffaloes. The overall mean values of
yellowness (b*) increased but non significantly with the increase in the storage period
from 1st to 6th day.
A significant (P < 0.01) decreasing trend in the overall mean values of per cent
moisture was observed on increase in the age of buffaloes irrespective of sexes.
However, increase in storage days showed no significant differences. A significant
increase in the overall mean values of per cent crude protein, per cent ether extract and
per cent total ash were recorded along with increase in the age of buffaloes of either sex.
The overall mean values of per cent crude protein, per cent ether extract and per cent
total ash showed no significant differences with the increase in storage periods from 1st
to 6th day.
Per cent drip loss showed significant (P < 0.01) decrease in the overall mean
values on increase in age of both the sexes of buffaloes. The mean per cent drip loss
increased significantly (P < 0.05) with the increase in storage periods from 24 to 48
hours. The overall mean values of per cent cooking loss decreased significantly (P <
0.01) with increase in the age of both the sexes of buffaloes during storage periods.
Microbial studies revealed that the Psychrophillic, Mesophillic, Coliform, Yeast and
Mould counts increased significantly (P < 0.01) with increase in storage period from 1st
day to 6th day and the counts were in acceptable range up to 3rd day. Staphylococcus
aureus were detected only on 6th day of storage. Five meat samples out of twenty were
found to be positive for Salmonella. Organoleptic evaluation of meat revealed that
panelist preferred meat of 2-4 years age group of buffaloes.
The above study leads to the conclusion that the meat of 2-4 years of age group
of buffaloes of either sex were more tender and juicy and could be stored safely at
refrigerated temperature (4 ± 1ºC) up to 3rd day. To reduce the initial bacterial load for
slaughtering and dressing of buffaloes, should be done on hanging the carcass to enhance
the shelf-life of meat. Since swamp buffaloes are considered as meat animals in draft
policy of Assam, data obtained in present study would be quite useful for Government to
take progressive steps in the processing and marketing of buffalo meat both for domestic
and export purpose.