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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #130811
Title: BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR MEAT QUALITY ENHANCEMENT

Author
item Solomon, Morse
item Pursel, Vernon
item Mitchell, Alva

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/24/2002
Publication Date: 5/20/2002
Citation: SOLOMON, M.B., PURSEL, V.G., MITCHELL, A.D. BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR MEAT QUALITY ENHANCEMENT. IN: RESEARCH ADVANCES IN THE QUALITY OF MEAT AND MEAT PRODUCTS. TOLDRA, F. EDITOR. KERALA, INDIA: RESEARCH SIGNPOST. 2002. p. 17-31.

Interpretive Summary: Biotechnology is the implementation of biological sciences for the improvement of technology. Use of science for the improvement of muscle foods has involved natural selection of dominant traits, selection of preferred traits by crossbreeding, the use of endogenous and exogenous growth factors and ultimately gene manipulation to produce desirable changes in meat/carcass quality and yield. Until recently, improvements in the quality of meat products that reached the market place were largely the result of postharvest practices. Extensive postharvest efforts have been implemented to improve or to control the tenderness, flavor and juiciness. Tenderness, flavor, and juiciness are the sensory attributes that make meat products palatable. A wide range of biotechnology strategies for altering the balance between lean and adipose tissue growth and deposition in meat-producing animals are available. These include genetic selection and management (production) strategies. More recently, the confirmation of the growth-promoting and nutrient repartitioning agents have given rise to a technological revolution for altering growth and development in meat- producing animals.

Technical Abstract: Potential for the manipulation of growth and composition of farm animals has never been greater than at present due to the wide array of strategies for altering the balance between lean and fat. Discoveries of repartitioning effects of somatotropin (growth hormone), select B- adrenergic agonists, as well as the variety of growth-promoting agents, and dgene manipulation techniques (transgenic animals) and most recently cloning, offer a wide range of strategies. Although progress is being made, much more needs to be accomplished. Eating quality and food safety must not be compromised as meat animals are designed and developed using these biotechnological approaches.