Abstract

Biological tenderness differences between longissimus muscles from 3/8 and 5/8 Sahiwal (Bos indicus) x Hereford-Angus and from Hereford-Angus (Bos taurus) were evaluated. No significant breed cross effects were observed for carcass traits or rates of pH and temperature decline. Loin steaks from Hereford x Angus had lower (P<.05) shear-force values and higher (P<.05) taste panel tenderness scores at 1 and 14 d postmortem. No breed effects existed for muscle fiber sarcomere length, muscle fiber type, muscle collagen, cathepsin enzyme activity, or calcium-dependent protease-I and -II activity. However, calcium-dependent protease inhibitor activity at 24 hr postmortem was greater (P<.01) in Sahiwal-crosses than for Hereford-Angus. Less protein degradation, which causes tenderization during aging, occurred in Sahiwal-crosses by d 14 than in Hereford-Angus at d 1 postmortem. Therefore, mechanisms involving calcium-dependent protease and its inhibitor may be the principal factors causing tenderness differences between Bos indicus and Bos taurus breeds.

Keywords: Cattlemen's Day, 1990, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station contribution, no. 90-361-S, Report of progress (Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service), 592, Beef, Tenderness, Bos indicus, Calcium-dependent protease, Inhibitor

How to Cite:

Whipple, G., Koohmaraie, M., Crouse, J., Hunt, M. C., Klemm, R. & Dikeman, M. E., (1990) “Evaluation of attributes affecting tenderness differences between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle”, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports 1(1), 38-40. doi: https://doi.org/10.4148/2378-5977.2244