title: Carcass yields and meat quality characteristics of adult emus (Dromaius novaehollandiae) transported for 6h before slaughter.
abstract: The meat quality characteristics of adult emus transported for 6h before slaughter were determined. Forty-two emus were used in two trials, undertaken under warm and cool weather conditions, respectively. Male emus had significantly higher fat yields than females (12.43kg vs 9.5kg, P=0.002). About 38.1% of the emus had no wounds or bruises, 40.5% had bruises, while 21.4% had small wounds after transport. Meat from injured emus had significantly higher pH45. In warm weather, emus experienced significantly higher loss in body weight than that under cool weather. Drip loss in meat after 24h of storage was higher in emus which had greater live weight loss after transport (r=0.66, P<0.0001), confirming the adverse effects of transport stress on meat quality. Nutrient supplementation did not significantly affect processing yield or meat quality characteristics. This study points to the need for optimizing transport conditions of emus to maintain meat quality.
authors: Avian Research Centre, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors: Deepa G
authors: DG
authors: Menon
authors: Avian Research Centre, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada.
authors: Darin C
authors: DC
authors: Bennett
authors: Lacombe Research Centre, Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, 6000 C and E Trail, Lacombe, Alberta T4L 1W1, Canada.
authors: Bethany
authors: B
authors: Uttaro
authors: Lacombe Research Centre, Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, 6000 C and E Trail, Lacombe, Alberta T4L 1W1, Canada.
authors: Allan L
authors: AL
authors: Schaefer
authors: Avian Research Centre, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: kmtc@mail.ubc.ca.
authors: Kimberly M
authors: KM
authors: Cheng
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D003116:Color; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D020312:Dromaiidae; D005260:Female; D063427:Food Quality; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D013696:Temperature; D014186:Transportation
keywords: Carcass yield; Drip loss; Emu; Meat quality; Stress; pH