Authentication of animal fats using direct analysis in real time (DART) ionization-mass spectrometry and chemometric tools.

A combination of direct analysis in real time (DART) ionization coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) and chemometrics was used for animal fat (lard and beef tallow) authentication. This novel instrumentation was employed for rapid profiling of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and polar compounds present in fat samples and their mixtures. Additionally, fat isolated from pork, beef, and pork/beef admixtures was analyzed. Mass spectral records were processed by principal component analysis (PCA) and stepwise linear discriminant analysis (LDA). DART-TOFMS profiles of TAGs were found to be more suitable for the purpose of discrimination among the examined fat types as compared to profiles of polar compounds. The LDA model developed using TAG data enabled not only reliable classification of samples representing neat fats but also detection of admixed lard and tallow at adulteration levels of 5 and 10% (w/w), respectively. The presented approach was also successfully applied to minced meat prepared from pork and beef with comparable fat content. Using the DART-TOFMS TAG profiles of fat isolated from meat mixtures, detection of 10% pork added to beef and vice versa was possible.

The influence of ante-mortem treatment on relationship between pH and tenderness of beef.

Longissimus lumborum et thoracis muscles from 150 cattle comprising Czech Pied breed bulls and cows were used to investigate the relationship between pH value and beef tenderness as influenced by housing before slaughter and by the hanging mode of carcasses. The pH value was measured in the loin at the end of the slaughter-line (pH(0)) and after cooling of carcasses (pH(24),pH(48)). The texture of raw meat was measured 72h post-mortem by the Warner-Bratzler shear method; the shear force was related to pH. Curvilinear relationships with coefficients of correlation r=0.64 (P<0.05) for bulls individually housed and r=0.83 for bulls housed in groups between the shear force and the pH value 24h p.m. were found with maximal shear force (the most tough meat) in the range of pH(24) from 6.2 to 6.4. Lower correlations (r=0.72 and r=0.54) between pH(24) and meat tenderness were found in the case of cows individually housed and housed in groups, respectively. No significant relationships were found between texture and pH measured at the end of the slaughter-line (r=0.59 for bulls and r=0.65 for cows) and 48h post-mortem (r=0.64 for bulls and r=0.50 for cows). The mode of housing of cattle before slaughter influenced the properties of beef significantly. Meat of bulls housed in groups before slaughter was less tender (the shear force was higher) than meat of bulls individually housed. It could be explained by higher depletion of glycogen before slaughter and thus insufficient pH decline. Generally, the meat of cows was more tender than of bulls irrespective of housing. No significant differences were found between the left and right halves of carcasses. Thus the mode of hanging had no influence on beef tenderness.

Colour changes after carcasses decontamination by steam and lactic acid.

The surface decontamination of meat by steaming and by lactic acid prolongs its shelf life. Possible changes of colour were evaluated by reflectance spectrophotometry and video image analysis (VIA). Reflectance spectra were measured using a D(65) source and CIELab values L(∗), a(∗) and b(∗) were calculated together with ratios of the different myoglobin forms (red, oxy, met). The same samples were evaluated by video image analysis (software LUCIA). Steaming and spraying with lactic acid increased slightly the lightness (L(∗)) of the meat surface. Coordinate a(∗) (redness) decreased slightly after the decontamination treatment. This was confirmed by VIA; brightness increased and red-ratio r decreased. Both methods, i.e. reflectance spectrophotometry and VIA, reflect the colour changes in a similar way. The main advantage of reflectance spectrophotometry was its higher sensitivity and the possibility of direct calculation of the ratio of the haem pigment forms. However, video image analysis allows analysing of different particles in the image and this method is therefore a suitable tool for monitoring the changes of the surface appearance.