Application of small angle X-ray scattering synchrotron technology for measuring ovine meat quality

J M Hoban; D L Hopkins; N Kirby; D Collins; F R Dunshea; M G Kerr; K Bailes; J J Cottrell; B W B Holman; W Brown; E N Ponnampalam

doi:10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.03.005

Application of small angle X-ray scattering synchrotron technology for measuring ovine meat quality

Meat Sci. 2016 Jul:117:122-9. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.03.005. Epub 2016 Mar 5.

Authors

J M Hoban¹, D L Hopkins², N Kirby³, D Collins⁴, F R Dunshea⁵, M G Kerr⁶, K Bailes⁷, J J Cottrell⁵, B W B Holman², W Brown⁶, E N Ponnampalam⁸

Affiliations

¹ NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development, PO Box 129, Cowra, NSW 2794, Australia. Electronic address: jordan.hoban@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
² NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development, PO Box 129, Cowra, NSW 2794, Australia.
³ Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
⁴ NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Private Bag 4008, Narellan, NSW 2567, Australia.
⁵ Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
⁶ Agriculture Research, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & Resources, 475 Mickleham Road, Attwood, VIC 3049, Australia.
⁷ NSW Department of Primary Industries, Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Pine Gully Rd, PMB, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
⁸ Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; Agriculture Research, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & Resources, 475 Mickleham Road, Attwood, VIC 3049, Australia.

PMID: 26971308
DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2016.03.005

Abstract

A small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) synchrotron was used to evaluate 100 ovine m. longissimus lumborum, representing lamb (n=50) and sheep (n=50). The diffraction of X-rays gives information on muscle myofibril structure and fat content. The linear relationships between SAXS measures with measures such as, shear force, intramuscular fat content (IMF) and collagen content/solubility, were investigated. A relationship was found between the d-spacing of the actin/myosin fibril spacing (SAX1 and SAX2) and the cross sectional area of the rhombohedral unit cell (Cell area) and shear force after 1 and 5day ageing. There was a positive relationship between IMF and a SAXS Fat area measure. There was a muscle site effect on SAX1, SAX2 and Cell area, with the cranial site having a larger distance between myofibrils. The potential of SAXS as a powerful research tool to determine not only the structural components of ovine tenderness, but also the fat content related to IMF is evident.

Keywords: Intramuscular fat content; Lamb; Meat quality; Particle size analysis; Sarcomere length; Shear force; X-ray diffraction.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adipose Tissue
Animals
Food Analysis / instrumentation*
Food Analysis / methods
Food Quality
Meat / standards*
Sheep
Synchrotrons / instrumentation*
X-Ray Diffraction / instrumentation*
X-Ray Diffraction / methods