title: SmartStretch™ technology. III. The impact of medium voltage stimulation and SmartStretch™ technology on sheep topside (m. semimembranosus) meat quality traits under commercial processing conditions.
abstract: This study evaluated the interaction between medium voltage electrical stimulation, SmartStretch™ stretching and ageing treatments on key meat quality traits of hot boned sheep m. semimembranosus. Medium voltage stimulation reduced initial pH (P<0.001), but did not impact on other meat quality traits. There was a significant interaction between stretch treatment and ageing (P<0.001) for shear force such that samples which were both stretched and aged were the most tender. Sarcomere length was significantly (P<0.001) increased by SmartStretch™ treatment. Control (no stretching) resulted in greater (P<0.05) cooking loss, but there was significantly less purge loss (P<0.05). The ratio 630/580 nm and a* colour values at 0 and 5 days decreased at a significantly (P<0.05) slower rate when SmartStretch™ was applied. Overall medium voltage stimulation did not inhibit the effectiveness of the SmartStretch™ treatment. The SmartStretch™ treatment provided significant improvement in tenderness and the potential to increase meat display time.
authors.affiliation: NSW Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 865 Dubbo, NSW 2830, Australia.
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Toohey
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van de Ven
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Geesink
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hopkins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003116:Color; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D063427:Food Quality; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D016015:Logistic Models; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry*; D012518:Sarcomeres / Q000737:chemistry; D034561:Sheep, Domestic; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013848:Thigh