Studies on the standardization of carcass quality scores for pork quality assurance

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of intramuscular fat scores on pork quality assurance. Pork loins were collected from animals (110-120 kg body weight) slaughtered in a commercial slaughterhouse, assigned an IMF score (1-3) from and stored for 24 hrs at -3°C. Samples were analyzed for chemical composition, pH, cooking and drip loss, shear force, meat color, and texture characteristics. The moisture, crude protein and crude ash content were not significantly different among the various IMF score groups. The crude fat content of the IMF score 3 group was significantly higher than the IMF score 1 and 2 groups (p<0.05). The pH values of the IMF score 2 and 3 groups was significantly higher than the IMF score 1 group (p<0.05). There was a no significant difference in shear force value and cooking loss among the IMF score groups. The purge loss content of the IMF 3 group was significantly lower than that of the IMF score 1 group (p<0.05). The increase in IMF score resulted in lower hardness, gumminess, and brittleness values. The hardness and gumminess of the IMF score 3 group were significantly lower than those of the IMF 1 score group. The adhesiveness, cohesiveness, and springiness were not significantly different among the IMF score groups. With regard to meat color traits, lightness (CIE L*) was not significantly different among the IMF score groups. The a* and b values correlated positively with the IMF score. In general, the results of this study show that the CIE color values and drip loss had a positive correlation, while only redness was positively correlated with shear force and hardness. pH was negatively correlated with CIE color values and drip loss, while positively correlated with moisture content. intramuscular fat, pork, physico-chemical properties.