NMR-based comparison of the metabolome of beef from Simmental and black-and-white young bulls during wet- and dry-aging

Abstract

Taste as an eating quality factor of beef can be influenced by the selection of the raw material and aging method. The metabolic changes of different breeds during aging were analyzed in wet-aged and dry-aged beef up to 28 days of aging using samples from the M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum of the Simmental and Black-and-White breeds by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Breed affected the metabolome of beef samples before and during the aging of beef. The concentration of 24 of the 30 metabolites differed significantly (P < 0.05) in unaged samples of both breeds. In addition, aging time and aging type of beef samples showed partially different effects on the metabolome caused by the breed. Aging time significantly affected (P < 0.05) 30 metabolites in beef of both breeds. Aspartate, betaine, creatinine, glycine, and niacinamide correlated with aging time only in samples of Black-and-White breed. Five metabolites (carnitine, creatine, inosine 5’ monophosphate, lactic acid and O-acetyl-l-carnitine) varied significantly (P < 0.05) between dry-aged and wet-aged beef of both breeds.