The aim of the study was to determine the quality of South African lamb, particularly the carcass, nutrient and sensory attributes. To this end the cut composition of SA lamb carcasses with different fat scores was determined and cuts suitable for trimming were identified. Sixty four grain fed Dorper lambs were divided randomly into three slaughter groups of 30, 36 and 42 kg, respectively. After slaughter, electrical stimulation (how much/long) and chilling (how long/temp) the carcass sides were subdivided into seven wholesale cuts. Each cut was dissected into meat, bone and subcutaneous fat (SCF) in order to determine the physical composition per cut and for the whole carcass. It was found that the percentages total fat in the carcass increased with 15.5 % in subcutaneous fat over the five fat classes. In order to determine and compare the raw and cooked nutrient composition of shoulder, loin and leg cuts of Dorper and Merino lamb carcasses of the A age class of fat class 2 (± 7 % SCF) from three main production areas in South Africa were analysed. Samples were analysed both raw (left side cuts) and cooked (right sides) using accredited methodologies for nutrient content namely proximate composition, vitamin B and minerals. There was no significant difference in the iron and zinc values between the cooked cuts. Results showed differences in both trace elements and B vitamins among different cooked cuts, although the differences were not statistically significant. Cooked SA lamb (A age class, fat class 2) contains an average of 60.5 % less total fat and 5.28 % less protein, resulting in 1891 kJ less per 100 g edible portion energy, if compared to the previous values in the food composition tables. Quantitative descriptive sensory analyses were performed by a trained panel on the M. longissimus lumborum (loin) from lambs of the same age. Aroma intensity, initial impression of juiciness, first bite, sustained impression of juiciness, muscle fibre and overall tenderness, amount of connective tissue (residue), overall flavour intensity and off-flavour intensity were measured, as well as cooking related measurements and resistance to shear. With the exception of juiciness, the results in this study showed that contrary to expected carcass fatness (in the same age over five fat classes), as portrayed in the South African Classification system, does not have a significant effect on the sensory qualities of M. longissimus lumborum (loin) from lambs of the same age. This investigation provides important scientific insight into the physical, nutrient and sensory quality of South African lamb. The results obtained show that subcutaneous carcass fat that increased significantly with an increase in fat class can be trimmed to represent leaner cuts to the discerning consumer. This study found unique values for South African lamb cuts, almost 40 % lower in fat content than the previously-believed-to-be-accurate values, as published by the Medical Research Council for health workers. Contrary to expected it was found in this study that increased fatness did not improve lamb tenderness as popularly believed in the United States. Therefore, the study justifies greater scope for further research into all these aspects, as it provides valuable information for the Red Meat Industry. / Thesis (PhD(Consumer Science))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Consumer Science / PhD / unrestricted

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o desempenho, características de carcaça e qualidade de carne de bovinos Nelore com diferentes potenciais genéticos para crescimento pós-desmama pela diferença esperada na progênie (DEP). Foram utilizados 147 machos não-castrados da raça Nelore, com peso corporal médio inicial de 412 ± 54kg e média de idade de 19 meses, provenientes de recria em sistema de pastejo contínuo. Os animais foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado e divididos dois tratamentos em função do potencial genético para crescimento: 1) alta taxa de crescimento (TC+) representada pela média de 11,50 kg e 2) baixa taxa de crescimento (TC-) representada pela média de -1,0 kg. Os animais foram confinados por um período de 100 dias, sendo os primeiros 21 dias de adaptação à dieta e as instalações. A dieta continha 73% de concentrado e 27% de volumoso (silagem de milho). No início do período experimental e a cada 28 dias todos os animais foram pesados e submetidos a avaliações de ultrassonografia. A ingestão de matéria seca foi avaliada diariamente, para ajuste da oferta e avaliação da eficiência alimentar. Ao fim do período de confinamento, todos animais foram abatidos, o peso de carcaça quente e a gordura pélvica, renal e inguinal foram pesados. Após 24 horas, foi avaliado o pH final e a meia carcaça esquerda foi seccionada entre a 12ª e 13ª costelas. As meias carcaças seguiram para desossa completa para análise de rendimentos dos cortes cárneos comerciais, em seguida amostras foram retiradas do contrafilé para posterior análise de cor, perdas de peso por cozimento, força de cisalhamento, comprimento de sarcômero e análise sensorial. Houve efeito da TC sobre o peso corporal final (P = 0,04), sendo que os animais de alta TC apresentaram maiores pesos. Não houve efeito da TC para AOL, EGS e espessura de gordura da picanha (Biceps femoris) avaliados pela ultrassonografia; no entanto, houve diferença significativa para o período de coleta das imagens (P < 0,05). Com relação ao rendimento dos cortes cárneos comerciais, animais de alta TC tiveram a ponta de peito (P = 0,01) e músculo traseiro (P = 0,07) mais pesados em relação aos animais de baixa TC. A DEP não influenciou a qualidade das características sensoriais da carne dos animais exceto para a cor, sendo que os valores de L* (P = 0,03) foram maiores para animais de baixa TC, no entanto, os maiores valores de a* (P = 0,06) foram expressados pelo grupo de alta TC. Além disso, para todas as variáveis de qualidade, houve efeito do tempo de maturação (P > 0,05). Em conclusão, o potencial genético para o crescimento pós-desmama não afetou a maioria das características, incluindo desempenho, produção de carne e qualidade no final do período de terminação. / The aim of this study was to evaluated the performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nellore young bulls with different genetics potentials for post-weaning growth for expected progeny differences (EPD\'s). A total of 147 Nellore bulls with average initial body weight (412 ± 54kg) and 19 months old, were distributed in a completely randomized design and divided into two groups according with growth rate: 1) high growth rate (GR+) represented by the mean of 11.50 kg and 2) low growth rate (GR-) represented by the average of -1.0 kg . The animals were in a feedlot system for a total 100 days, with the first 21 days of adaptation to the diet and facilities. The finishing diet was composed by 73 % concentrate and 27 % corn silage. At the beginning of the experimental period and every 28 days all animals were weighed and submitted to ultrasound evaluations. Dry matter intake was measured daily. At the end of the feedlot period, all animals were slaughtered and the hot carcass weigth and internal fat were recorded. After 24 hours, the final pH was evaluated and the left half carcass was sectioned between the 12 th and 13 th ribs. The half carcass was completely deboning to analyze the wholesale cuts. In addition, longissimus was sampled to analyze color, cooking loss, tenderness, sarcomere length and sensory property. There was an effect of GR on the final body weight (P = 0.04), where the group of animals with high EPD presented higher weights. There was no effect of GR for longissimus muscle area (LMA), fat thickness (FAT) and rump fat (Biceps femoris) evaluated by ultrasonography; however, there was a significant difference for the collection period (P > 0.05). Regarding the wholesale cuts, animals of higher GR had the heavier (P = 0.01) and hind muscle (P = 0.07) weights than the animals of lower GR. The GR did not influence the quality sensory characteristics of the meat of the animals except for the color, and the values of L* (P = 0.03) were higher for animals with low GR, however, the highest values of a* (P = 0.06) were expressed by the high GR group. In addition, for all quality variables, there was an effect of maturation time (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the potential genetic for growth measured post-weaning did not affect most traits, including performance, meat production and quality at the end of finishing period.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o desempenho, características de carcaça e qualidade de carne de bovinos Nelore com diferentes potenciais genéticos para crescimento pós-desmama pela diferença esperada na progênie (DEP). Foram utilizados 147 machos não-castrados da raça Nelore, com peso corporal médio inicial de 412 ± 54kg e média de idade de 19 meses, provenientes de recria em sistema de pastejo contínuo. Os animais foram distribuídos em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado e divididos dois tratamentos em função do potencial genético para crescimento: 1) alta taxa de crescimento (TC+) representada pela média de 11,50 kg e 2) baixa taxa de crescimento (TC-) representada pela média de -1,0 kg. Os animais foram confinados por um período de 100 dias, sendo os primeiros 21 dias de adaptação à dieta e as instalações. A dieta continha 73% de concentrado e 27% de volumoso (silagem de milho). No início do período experimental e a cada 28 dias todos os animais foram pesados e submetidos a avaliações de ultrassonografia. A ingestão de matéria seca foi avaliada diariamente, para ajuste da oferta e avaliação da eficiência alimentar. Ao fim do período de confinamento, todos animais foram abatidos, o peso de carcaça quente e a gordura pélvica, renal e inguinal foram pesados. Após 24 horas, foi avaliado o pH final e a meia carcaça esquerda foi seccionada entre a 12ª e 13ª costelas. As meias carcaças seguiram para desossa completa para análise de rendimentos dos cortes cárneos comerciais, em seguida amostras foram retiradas do contrafilé para posterior análise de cor, perdas de peso por cozimento, força de cisalhamento, comprimento de sarcômero e análise sensorial. Houve efeito da TC sobre o peso corporal final (P = 0,04), sendo que os animais de alta TC apresentaram maiores pesos. Não houve efeito da TC para AOL, EGS e espessura de gordura da picanha (Biceps femoris) avaliados pela ultrassonografia; no entanto, houve diferença significativa para o período de coleta das imagens (P < 0,05). Com relação ao rendimento dos cortes cárneos comerciais, animais de alta TC tiveram a ponta de peito (P = 0,01) e músculo traseiro (P = 0,07) mais pesados em relação aos animais de baixa TC. A DEP não influenciou a qualidade das características sensoriais da carne dos animais exceto para a cor, sendo que os valores de L* (P = 0,03) foram maiores para animais de baixa TC, no entanto, os maiores valores de a* (P = 0,06) foram expressados pelo grupo de alta TC. Além disso, para todas as variáveis de qualidade, houve efeito do tempo de maturação (P > 0,05). Em conclusão, o potencial genético para o crescimento pós-desmama não afetou a maioria das características, incluindo desempenho, produção de carne e qualidade no final do período de terminação. / The aim of this study was to evaluated the performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of Nellore young bulls with different genetics potentials for post-weaning growth for expected progeny differences (EPD\'s). A total of 147 Nellore bulls with average initial body weight (412 ± 54kg) and 19 months old, were distributed in a completely randomized design and divided into two groups according with growth rate: 1) high growth rate (GR+) represented by the mean of 11.50 kg and 2) low growth rate (GR-) represented by the average of -1.0 kg . The animals were in a feedlot system for a total 100 days, with the first 21 days of adaptation to the diet and facilities. The finishing diet was composed by 73 % concentrate and 27 % corn silage. At the beginning of the experimental period and every 28 days all animals were weighed and submitted to ultrasound evaluations. Dry matter intake was measured daily. At the end of the feedlot period, all animals were slaughtered and the hot carcass weigth and internal fat were recorded. After 24 hours, the final pH was evaluated and the left half carcass was sectioned between the 12 th and 13 th ribs. The half carcass was completely deboning to analyze the wholesale cuts. In addition, longissimus was sampled to analyze color, cooking loss, tenderness, sarcomere length and sensory property. There was an effect of GR on the final body weight (P = 0.04), where the group of animals with high EPD presented higher weights. There was no effect of GR for longissimus muscle area (LMA), fat thickness (FAT) and rump fat (Biceps femoris) evaluated by ultrasonography; however, there was a significant difference for the collection period (P > 0.05). Regarding the wholesale cuts, animals of higher GR had the heavier (P = 0.01) and hind muscle (P = 0.07) weights than the animals of lower GR. The GR did not influence the quality sensory characteristics of the meat of the animals except for the color, and the values of L* (P = 0.03) were higher for animals with low GR, however, the highest values of a* (P = 0.06) were expressed by the high GR group. In addition, for all quality variables, there was an effect of maturation time (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the potential genetic for growth measured post-weaning did not affect most traits, including performance, meat production and quality at the end of finishing period.