Distribution of Ether Extract, Moisture, Protein and Ash in Dissected Tissues from Ovine Carcasses

Abstract

Thirty-three sides from ovine carcasses representing a wide range in weight and fatness were dissected into subcutaneous fat (sub fat), intermuscular fat (intermus fat), muscle, flat bones and round bones. Equations to estimate weights of ether extract, moisture, protein and ash in each dissected tissue and equations to estimate weights of dissected tissue in the side were developed to determine how accurately distribution of fat and other carcass components could be predicted. Equations for predicting weight of ether extract in sub fat or weight of total dissected sub fat from a linear fat measurement, ether extract in the side and side weight had low standard errors of estimate and coefficients of determination of .99. Weight of intermus fat and muscle or weight of ether extract in these tissues could also be accurately determined. Ether extract, moisture, protein and ash percentages in sub fat, intermus fat, muscle, flat bones and round bones changed with changes in carcass composition. Ether extract in dissected sub fat and intermus fat increased by about 20 percentage points as carcasses became fatter. Dissected sub fat contained a higher percentage of ether extract than did intermus fat and round bones contained over twice the percentage ether extract of flat bones. Ether extract from muscles, flat bones and round bones of lean carcasses made up about 36% of the total ether extract in the side. Overall, prediction of weight of individual dissected tissues (standard error of estimate, g = 58 to 165) or of their chemical components (standard error of estimate, g = 1 to 86) is possible.