Effect of electrical stimulation and ageing period on alpaca (Vicugna pacos) meat and eating quality.
This study investigated the effects of using medium voltage (~300 V) electrical stimulation (ES) and ageing on alpaca meat. A total of 50 huacaya alpacas were distributed across three age groups (18, 24 and 36 months) and two genders (females and castrated males). At 24h post mortem the m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LL) and m. semimembranosus (SM) muscles were removed and aged for either 5 or 10 days. In comparison to non-ES samples, ES significantly reduced: LL purge values by 3.0% and LL shear force (SF) at 5 and 10 days (by 21.6N and ageing further reduced tenderness by 6.6N), and SM SF by 5.8 N with significant age effects observed in both ES and non-ES SM samples, such that SF increased by 0.53 N with each month increase in animal age. Consumers rated ES samples higher on tenderness, juiciness, flavour and overall rating. ES and ageing of alpaca carcasses are recommended.
The University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia. Electronic address: melanie.smith@sydney.edu.au.
M A
MA
Smith
The University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
R D
RD
Bush
NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.
R J
RJ
van de Ven
NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development, Cowra, NSW 2794, Australia.
D L
DL
Hopkins
D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D063427:Food Quality; D061353:Food Storage; D006244:Hardness; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009517:New South Wales; D009919:Orchiectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D010860:Pigments, Biological / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012677:Sensation; D033081:Shear Strength; D013649:Taste
D010860:Pigments, Biological
Ageing; Alpaca; Electrical stimulation; Meat quality; Sensory evaluation