Assessing the impact of Bos taurus x Bos indicus crossbreeding and postmortem technologies on the eating quality of loins from pasturefinished young bulls

Abstract

This experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of Brahman crossbreeding and postmortem technologies (electrical stimulation and vacuum aging) on eating quality of loins from pasture-finished bulls. Fifty yearling bulls representing five Brahman-influenced types (n = 10 each): Brahman (BRAH), F1-Angus (F1ANG), F1-Chianina (F1CHI), F1-Romosinuano (F1ROM), and F1-Simmental (F1SIM) were supplemented on pasture until reaching a desirable conformation at a suitable live weight of ca. 480 kg. All carcasses were classified as “Bullocks” according to U.S. standards. Carcass’s right sides were subjected to high-voltage electrical stimulation (ES) while the left sides were not stimulated (NOES). Longissimus lumborum (LL) steaks from ES and NOES carcasses were allotted either to the vacuum aging control treatment for 2 d (NOAGING) or 10 d (AGING). LL steaks were evaluated for Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and sensory traits by trained panelists. No differences in WBSF, juiciness, or flavor ratings were detected among breed types (P > 0.05). Sensory ratings for tenderness-related traits varied little with breed type (P < 0.05). Steaks from F1ANG received higher ratings for muscle fiber tenderness, overall tenderness, and amount of connective tissue, and differed (P < 0.05) from those of F1ROM and F1SIM which received the lowest ratings. Bullock loins were more responsive to ES+AGING in WBSF reduction and desirable tenderness ratings than other postmortem treatments (P < 0.05) by reaching a greater proportion (72%) of “tender” (WBSF < 40.1 N) steaks than AGING (48%), ES (36%), and NOES-NOAGING (24%) samples (P < 0.01). Tenderness of bullock loin steaks is marginally improved by crossbreeding; therefore, the application of ES+AGING is necessary to ensure a higher proportion of tenderloin steaks.