Short communication: Using infrared ocular thermography as a tool to predict meat quality from lean cattle breeds prior to slaughter: Exploratory trial
- Resource Type
- article
- Authors
- Alberto Horcada; Manuel Juárez; Mercedes Valera; Ester Bartolomé
- Source
- Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol 17, Iss 4, Pp e06SC01-e06SC01 (2020)
- Subject
- eye temperature
spanish native cattle breeds
beef quality
stress
water holding capacity
colour parameters, ph
Agriculture
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 2171-9292
9174-1548
Aim of study: To assess the potential of using infrared ocular thermography (IROT) as a tool to predict beef quality at the slaughterhouse. Area of study: The study was carried out in the Salteras’s slaughterhouse (Seville, Spain). Material and methods: Ocular temperature images were captured from 175 lean young bulls prior to slaughter. Carcasses were classified into three groups according to weight: ˂250 kg, 250-310 kg and ˃310 kg. IROT was measured just before slaughter and pH was measured 24 h later. Colour parameters (CIELAB space) were evaluated 48 h post-slaughter. Water holding capacity was evaluated at seven days after slaughter. Main results: IROT mean values were higher in heavier bulls (p