Three main factors affect the quality and composition of meat in farm animals. Production conditions determine the composition of the meat, while marketing and postmortem periods have a major bearing on the visual appearance and ultimate eating experience for the consumer. It is often difficult to compare research results from different countries since meat quality is assessed by a wide variety of procedures. Quality and Grading of Carcasses of Meat Animals reviews the development of commercial grading or classification schemes on a world-wide basis, and it provides a broad outline of the most common subjective and objective procedures for the assessment of meat quality. The book provides reviews on: Ante- and post-mortem effects on meat quality Reducing fatness in meat animals Prediction of carcass composition and meat quality World carcass and grading systems Electronic identification of animals

This lively book examines recent trends in animal product consumption and diet; reviews industry efforts, policies, and programs aimed at improving the nutritional attributes of animal products; and offers suggestions for further research. In addition, the volume reviews dietary and health recommendations from major health organizations and notes specific target levels for nutrients.

The Science of Animal Growth and Meat Technology, Second Edition, combines fundamental science- based and applied, practical concepts relating to the prenatal and postnatal growth of cattle, sheep and pigs. It provides the necessary components to understand the production and growth of livestock for safe and quality meat products and presents an understanding of the principles of meat science and technology that is needed to understand the meat industry. Information on the slaughter process of animals, muscle structure and meat tenderness, meat quality, meat safety, and microbiology makes this a valuable self-study reference for students and professionals entering the field. - Describes principles in muscle metabolism, meat quality and meat safety using case studies - Discusses the microbial safety of meat products, primary pathogens of concern, and pathogen detection - Offers solutions on how to control bacterial growth to improve the safety and quality of meat - Presents a new chapter on packaging for meat and meat products that focuses on flexible film technology, packaging materials and equipment technology - Includes new information on inspection systems prior to slaughter, during slaughter, and the inspection of meat processing systems

"Livestock production systems will only be sustained in the long term if their products continue to meet the demand of consumers. The quality of ruminant carcasses, meat and meat products is of predominant importance in a competitive market where consumers tend to have a preconceived idea about the criteria that define meat quality such as flavour, tenderness, juiciness, smell, colour and texture. The carcass evaluation could be interesting as a precocious classification of the final quality of meat coming from each carcass. Today the quality characteristics of the meat must be different according to its utilisation (supermarket, butcher, catering, refectory, etc.) and so it is very important to choose very early the final destination of the carcass. Obviously, the carcass classification must correlate with meat quality characteristics required by final consumer. Other important factors that have to be taken into account in order to maintain a demand for ruminant meat are safety and traceability. This book reviews the historical and recent developments for carcass evaluation and grading for meat quality assessment in beef and sheep. It places special emphasis on new concepts and approaches to define carcass and meat quality and on the use of modern technologies for composition and quality evaluation. A range of technologies are presented such as ultrasounds and colour reflectance, X-ray computerised tomography, spectral and thermal imaging, image analysis and NIRS. The use of phenotypic markers such as the plasma hormones and genetic markers to predict carcass composition and meat quality are also presented."

This volume provides a comprehensive overview of goat keeping and farming. It includes twenty-two chapters that address such topics as breeding and selection, goat reproduction, production systems, the effects of goat farming on the environment, the use of goat byproducts, the economics of goat farming, and much more.

Meat is a global product, which is traded between regions, countries and continents. The onus is on producers, manufacturers, transporters and retailers to ensure that an ever-demanding consumer receives a top quality product that is free from contamination. With such a dynamic product and market place, new innovative ways to process, package and assess meat products are being developed. With ever increasing competition and tighter cost margins, industry has shown willingness to engage in seeking novel innovative ways of processing, packaging and assessing meat products while maintaining quality and safety attributes. This book provides a comprehensive overview on the application of novel processing techniques. It represents a standard reference book on novel processing, packaging and assessment methods of meat and meat products. It is part of the IFST Advances in Food Science book series.

Understanding of the scientific basis of quality attributes in meat is becoming more advanced, providing more effective approaches to the control of meat eating and technological quality. This important collection reviews essential knowledge of the mechanisms underlying quality characteristics and methods to improve meat sensory and nutritional quality.Part one analyses the scientific basis of meat quality attributes, such as texture and tenderness, colour, water-holding capacity and flavour development. Chapters on the nutritional quality of meat and meat sensory evaluation complete the section. Part two discusses significant insights into the biology of meat quality obtained from genomic and proteomic perspectives, with chapters focussing on different types of meat. Parts three and four then review production and processing strategies to optimise meat quality, considering aspects such as production practices and meat nutritional quality, dietary antioxidants and antimicrobials, carcass interventions, chilling and freezing and packaging. Methods of meat grading and quality analysis are also included.With its distinguished editors and international team of contributors, Improving the sensory and nutritional quality of fresh meat is a standard reference for those industrialists and academics interested in optimising meat quality. - Reviews methods to improve meat sensory and nutritional quality considering the effects of different production practices such as chilling, freezing and packaging - Analyses the scientific basis of meat quality attributes covering texture, tenderness, colour and water-holding capacity - Examines production and processing strategies to optimise meat quality, including the current state of development and future potential

Quality foods, such as traditional, EU certified, organic and health claimed are part of a growing trend towards added value in the agri-food sector. In these foods, elements of production, processing, marketing, agro-tourism and speciality stores are combined. Paramount above all is the link to the consumer, which requires a personal approach. At this point, one enters the field of food consumer science. This can be seen as a hybrid of two distinct sciences. On one hand, there is the 'hardware' component, i.e. the science of food. On the other hand, the 'software' component, related to the science of consumers' preferences and behaviour. In animal science, nearly all attention is given to the 'hardware' aspect. However, to build a successful business in quality food products, the 'software' aspect is essential. This publication devotes special attention to the consumer and gives insight into an area of knowledge still very much in development. It is intended to enhance understanding of the complex relationships in the route from products to consumers and offers practical solutions in this field. This publication includes review articles covering basic aspects of food consumer science and research trends in the field, and a series of country reports and articles on relevant studies related to the topic, with emphasis on Southern Europe.

PRINT/ONLINE PRICING OPTIONS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AT [email protected] Containing case studies that complement material presented in the text, the vast range of this definitive Encyclopediaencompasses animal physiology, animal growth and development, animal behavior, animal reproduction and breeding, alternative approaches to animal maintenance, meat science and muscle biology, farmed animal welfare and bioethics, and food safety. With contributions from top researchers in their discipline, the book addresses new research and advancements in this burgeoning field and provides quick and reader-friendly descriptions of technologies critical to professionals in animal and food science, food production and processing, livestock management, and nutrition.