title: Structural and biochemical characteristics of bovine intramuscular connective tissue and beef quality.
abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of structural and biochemical characteristics of muscle intramuscular connective tissue on beef quality. The experimental design was based on three muscles of three breeds sampled as fresh material and cooked at 55°C (Longissimus thoracis and Semimembranosus) or at 70°C (Semimembranosus and Biceps femoris) for quality assessment. The results showed that muscle characteristics influence beef quality differently from one muscle to another. In grilled LT, proteoglycan content contributed negatively to juiciness, and intramuscular lipids were linked positively to tenderness, flavour, residues and overall liking scores. In grilled SM, cross-link and lipid contents were involved in beef quality. In BF cooked to 70°C, perimysial branch points were negatively linked to tenderness. In SM cooked to 70°C, perimysial area was involved in beef quality. These results should allow a better understanding of the factors involved in background toughness, in juiciness and flavour of meat.
authors.affiliation: INRA (Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique), UMR1213 Herbivores, F-63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.
authors.forename: Annabelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dubost
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Micol
authors.forename: Brigitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Picard
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lethias
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Andueza
authors.forename: Dominique
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bauchart
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Listrat
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003238:Connective Tissue; D003296:Cooking; D004032:Diet; D063427:Food Quality; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis*; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis* / Q000592:standards; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry*; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000032:analysis*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013649:Taste; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D011509:Proteoglycans; D014867:Water
keywords: Beef; Collagen; Connective tissue; Lipids; Meat quality; Proteoglycans