Organoleptic parameters of meat from cows of two age categories depending on marbling

Abstract

Abstract The aim of the experiment was to compare the sensory characteristics of meat from cows of two age categories and depending on to the degree of marbling. Slaughter cows were divided into two age categories: up to 4 years of age and over 4 years of age. Meat samples from m. longissimus dorsi for tasting were taken from the right carcass halves between rib 9 to 11. The marbling degree was evaluated according to a 10 point scale (1 - very strong marbling, 10 - virtually no marbling or only traces). A sensory evaluation of the meat was carried out on day 7 after the slaughter of the animals. Meat samples were stored for 7 days and then they were grilled to evaluate their flavour, taste, tenderness and juiciness (degree 1 - without flavour, taste, tenderness, juiciness, degree 5 - very high flavour, tenderness, taste, and juiciness). We also set a score for the shear force of the grilled meat in our device Texture Analyser. There are no significant differences in sensory evaluation between the categories in relation to meat marbling, which would indicate better or worse sensory evaluation of meat. With the characteristic shear force of the grilled meat there were more favourable results at all levels of marbling in category up to 4 years of age.