Marinade Nadai Bonin, Sauloda Luz e Silva, Lutz Bünger, Dave Ross, Gelson Luis Dias Feijó, Rodrigo da Costa Gomes, Francisco Palma Rennó, Miguel Henrique de Almeida Santana, Fernanda Marcondes de Rezende, Luis Carlos Vinhas Ítavo, Francisco José de Novais, Lucy Mery Antonia Surita, Mariana de Nadai Bonin, Marilia Williane Filgueira Pereira, José Bento Sterman Ferraz
Abstract
Visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS) was tested for its effectiveness in predicting intramuscular fat (IMF) and WBSF in Nellore steers. Beef samples from longissimus thoracis, aged for either 2 or 7 days, had their spectra collected for wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1395 nm. Partial least squares regression models were developed for each trait. Determination coefficients of calibration models for WBSF ranged from 0.17 to 0.53. Considering WBSF in samples aged for 2 days, Vis-NIR correctly classified 100% of tough samples (>45 N), but wrongly classified all tender samples (≤45 N) as tough. Determination coefficients of calibration models for IMF ranged from 0.12 to 0.14. Vis-NIRS is a useful tool for identifying tough beef, but it is less effective in predicting tender samples and IMF. Additional studies are necessary to generate more robust models for the prediction of intramuscular fat in intact meat samples of Nellore cattle.
