title: Changes affecting the Longissimus dorsi, Triceps brachii caput longum and Rectus femoris muscles of young Friesian bulls during meat ageing.
abstract: The chemical composition and post-mortem changes during 3-14 days of ageing were studied on three muscles (Longissiums dorsi, Triceps brachii caput longum, Rectus femoris) from 13 young Friesian bulls. Chemical composition varied widely between animals (p < 0.001) and muscles (p < 0.001), and did not change during post-mortem storage. Significant changes affecting the non-protein nitrogen and soluble protein nitrogen contents were similar in all three muscles but differed from animal to animal. The increase in non-protein nitrogen can be considered as an indicator of proteolysis. Proteolysis extended to 14 days post mortem. The myofibril fragmentation index increased significantly (p < 0.001) between 3 and 7 days post mortem along the same pattern, irrespective of the muscle and animal. A ceiling was reached at around 7 days post mortem, by which time maximum breakdown of the structure had probably occurred. No significant relationship was observed between chemical composition, changes in the soluble protein nitrogen, breakdown of structures and carcass characteristics.
authors: Laboratoire des Sciences Animales-ENSAIA-INRA, 2 av. de la Forêt de Haye, 54500 Vandoeuvre lès Nancy, France.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Bruas-Reignier
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Brun-Bellut