title: Influence of alfalfa grazing-based feeding systems on carcass fat colour and meat quality of light lambs.
abstract: One hundred and twenty-seven lambs were fed as follows: lambs and dams grazing alfalfa (Gr); the same as Gr but lambs had access to concentrate (Gr + S); ewes grazed and lambs received milk and concentrate until weaning and thereafter concentrate and straw (Rat-Gr); ewes and lambs were stall-fed (Ind). Lambs were slaughtered at 22-24 kg live weight and fat and M. rectus abdominis colour was measured instrumentally and subjectively. The evolution of the instrumental colour and texture of M. longissimus lumborum was also recorded. There were significant differences in the instrumental colour of subcutaneous fat amongst feeding systems, but no differences were observed upon visual appraisal. On average, M. rectus abdominis colour in the four feeding systems was classed as pink. Differences in longissimus thoracis colour at 0 h disappeared at 24h of air exposure and there were no differences in pH or cooking losses. At no time were any differences in instrumental texture found.
authors: Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón, Avda Montañana 930, 50059 Zaragoza, Spain. gripoll@aragon.es
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Ripoll
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Albertí
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Joy
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D003116:Color; D003296:Cooking; D060434:Herbivory; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D000455:Medicago sativa; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D012756:Sheep