Evaluation of citrus fiber as a natural alternative to sodium tripolyphosphate in marinated boneless broiler chicken breast and inside beef skirt (transversus abdominis).

Objective: This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of citrus fiber (CF) as a natural alternative to sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) in marinated broiler boneless chicken breast and inside beef skirt on overall retention rate, shear force, and consumer sensory attributes. Methods: Five different marinade formulations were targeted to include 0.9% salt, either 0.25% or 0.50% STPP or CF and water on a finished product basis. Water and salt only were considered the negative control (CON). Chicken breasts (n = 14) and inside beef skirt (n = 14) were randomly assigned to a treatment, raw weights recorded and then placed in a vacuum tumbler. Marinated weights were recorded, individually packed, and randomly assigned to either retail display for 10-day retention rate, shear force analysis, cook loss, or consumer sensory panel. Results: Pickup percentage, and overall retention was similar among treatments for chicken breast and inside beef skirt. Citrus fiber treatments resulted in higher cooking loss compared to the CON in chicken breast; though, CF050 resulted in similar cooking loss compared to STPP025 in inside beef skirt. No differences were found in sensory attributes for chicken breast, however, WBSF data showed CF025 was tougher than CF050, STPP050, and CON. Inside beef skirt with CF050 were least liked overall by the consumer panel. Conclusion: Citrus fiber included in marinades at a lower percentage rate can produce similar texture characteristics, and sensory properties compared with those marinated with sodium tripolyphosphate.

Cattle stress and pregnancy responses when imposing different restraint methods for conducting fixed time artificial insemination.

Physiological stress responses have been associated with lesser pregnancy rates in beef cattle. Alternative cattle restraint methods have been developed to reduce this negative effect. The objective was to determine if there was a difference in pregnancy rate as a result of fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) in Bos taurus females when using a breeding box compared with a squeeze chute for restraining cows when conducting FTAI. There were FTAI treatment regimens imposed on cows and heifers at two separate locations (Virginia Tech University, VT; and R.A. Brown Ranch, RAB) with the FTAI being conducted while animals were restrained in a squeeze chute (n = 169) or a breeding box (n = 162). There was imposing of a 7-day Co-Sync + CIDR pre-breeding treatment regimen. Females were randomly assigned to treatments just prior to breeding. Immediately following breeding, blood was collected using coccygeal venipuncture procedures for assessment of plasma cortisol concentration. Chute and exit scores (1-5) were determined at the time of FTAI. Pregnancy rate, cortisol, chute score, and exit score were analyzed. There was no difference in pregnancy rate between treatments (57 ± 26% and 69 ± 26 %, respectively P = 0.59).There were differences in chute (1.52 ± 0.05 and 1.27 ± 0.05, respectively P < 0.05) and exit (1.26 ± 0.04 and 1.08 ± 0.04, respectively P < 0.05) scores between the two treatment groups. Results from the present study are not conclusive in ascertaining effects of the two types of restraint during FTAI on reproductive efficiency.