UTS2R gene polymorphisms are associated with fatty acid composition in Japanese beef cattle

Fatty acid composition of beef adipose tissue is one of its important traits because a high proportion of monounsaturated fatty acid is related to favorable beef flavor and tenderness. In this study, we searched polymorphisms in full length coding DNA sequence of urotensin 2 recepter and investigated the effects on fatty acid composition (C14:0, C14:1, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2, monounsaturated fatty acid, saturated fatty acid). Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) were identified by sequence comparison among eight animals, including five Japanese Black and three Holstein cattle. One of these SNP (c.866C>T) was predicted to cause amino acid substitutions (P289L) and the other seven synonymous SNP, including c.267C>T, were presumed to be in linkage disequilibrium. Therefore we selected two SNP (c.267C>T and c.866C>T) for further analysis. We investigated associations between these genotypes and fatty acid composition in three Japanese Black populations (n = 560, 245 and 287) and a Holstein population (n = 202). Tukey‐Kramer's honestly significant difference test revealed that CC genotype in c.267C>T indicated lower C14:0 and higher C18:1 than the other genotypes in Japanese Black cattle and CC genotype in c.866C>T showed lower C16:1 than CT genotype in Holstein cattle (P < 0.05). These results suggested that these genotypes would contribute to production of high‐grade meat as selection markers in beef cattle.     

Comparison of feeding systems: feed cost,palatability and environmental impact among hay‐fattened beef,consistent grass‐only‐fed beef and conventional marbled beef in Wagyu (Japanese Black cattle)

The objective of this article is to compare feed cost, palatability and environmental impacts among feeding systems of high concentrate (HC), high hay (HH) and grass‐only‐fed (Gof) groups. Feed cost was the sum of costs paid for feed intake times the price of feed per kilogram. Palatability was measured by a panel taste test using HH and Gof beef and analyzed for differences. Environmental impacts were calculated based on 1 kg of Japanese beef yield of CO₂ equivalents (eq) and animal end weights at each feeding stage. Results showed that the HH and Gof feeding systems could significantly reduce feed costs by approximately 60% and 78%, respectively, from the HC. In the panel taste test, 50% and 47.50% of panelists indicated that HH beef was ‘extremely delicious’ and ‘acceptable,’ respectively, while 15% indicated that Gof beef was ‘extremely delicious’; 62.50% indicated that Gof beef was ‘acceptable.’ Environmental impacts of each feeding system in terms of CO₂ equivalents (eq) were 9.32, 6.10 and 2.04 tonnes of eq for the HC, HH and Gof, respectively. The HH was an economical system that produced moderate impacts on the environment and had impressive taste.     

Genetic relationships between meat quality traits and fatty acid composition in Japanese black cattle

Genetic parameters were estimated to investigate the relationships between meat quality traits and fatty acid composition from 11 855 Japanese Black cattle. The meat quality traits included beef marbling score (BMS), beef color score, firmness of beef (FIR), texture of beef (TEX) and beef fat color score (BFS). The data on fatty acid composition included oleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) contents, the ratio of MUFA to saturated fatty acids (MUS) and the ratio of elongation. The heritability estimates for meat quality traits ranged from moderate (0.30) to high (0.72). The strong genetic correlations between them were useful for simultaneous genetic improvement. In addition, high heritability estimates of fatty acid composition, ranging from 0.60 to 0.63, indicated that they could also be improved genetically. The genetic correlations of fatty acid composition with BMS, FIR and TEX were weak and negative. In contrast, positive and stronger genetic correlations were found between BFS and fatty acid composition, in particular, related to the level of unsaturation (0.77 and 0.79 for MUFA and MUS, respectively). This implies that improving the level of unsaturation makes fat darker (more yellow) and thus requires balancing with BFS.     

A genetic analysis of meat compositions in Japanese Black cattle: Genetic parameters and sex influence

Meat composition in beef is related to eating quality and food functionality. Genetic parameters for several meat compositions including free amino acid, peptide and sugar, however, remain poorly described. In this study, we estimated genetic parameters for 51 meat components, including free amino acids, peptides, sugars and fatty acid compositions, and two carcase traits in 1,354 heifers and 1,797 steers of Japanese Black cattle. Heritability estimates were generally equivalent to or moderately greater than those in previous studies of this breed. Genetic correlations between free amino acids, peptides and sugars and carcase traits were often negative, suggesting a trade‐off between traits. Using two‐trait animal models that treat records from the two sexes as different traits, we estimated sex‐specific heritabilities and cross‐sex genetic correlations which indicate the sex differences in genetic architecture. In these analyses, 12 traits showed significant heritability differences between sexes and cross‐sex genetic correlations occasionally deviated from unity. These results could be used to inform future breeding schemes and investigations of the genetic architecture of meat compositions in beef.     

Beef customer satisfaction: factors affecting consumer evaluations of calcium chloride-injected top sirloin steaks when given instructions for preparation

The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether instructions can help consumers properly prepare top sirloin steaks and to evaluate the use of calcium chloride injection to decrease the sensitivity of top sirloin steaks to degree of doneness, thereby improving customer satisfaction ratings. An in-home study evaluated top sirloin steaks (gluteus medius) as influenced by calcium chloride injection (injected vs. noninjected), consumer segment (beef loyalists = heavy consumers of beef, budget rotators = cost-driven and split meat consumption between beef and chicken, and variety rotators = higher incomes and education and split meat consumption among beef, poultry, and other foods), degree of doneness, cooking method, and instructions (given vs. not given). Consumers evaluated overall like, tenderness, juiciness, flavor like, and flavor amount using 10-point scales. Beef loyalists consistently rated steaks higher for overall like, juiciness, and flavor when instructions were provided (P < 0.05) and rated top sirloin steaks higher for overall like and tenderness when given instructions for grilling (P < 0.05). Budget rotators and variety rotators rated steaks differently among cooking methods (P < 0.05). Correlation and stepwise regression analyses indicated that flavor like was the most highly correlated with overall like, followed by tenderness, flavor amount, and juiciness. Calcium chloride injection had no effect on consumers' likes or dislikes or on tenderness (P < 0.05). For top sirloin steaks, it was likely that preparation played a major role in consumer satisfaction, and beef loyalists benefited the most from providing cooking instructions.     

Estimates of genetic parameters for chemical traits of meat quality in Japanese black cattle

Genetic parameters for 54 carcass and chemical traits, such as general composition (moisture, crude fat and crude protein), fatty acid composition and water‐soluble compounds (free amino acids, peptides, nucleotides and sugars) of 587 commercial Japanese Black cattle were assessed. Heritability estimates for carcass traits and general composition ranged between 0.19–0.28, whereas those for fatty acid composition ranged between 0.11–0.85. Most heritability estimates for water‐soluble compounds were lower than 0.30; these traits were affected by aging period. Moderate heritability was observed for glutamine, alanine, taurine, anserine, inosine 5′‐monophosphate (IMP), inosine and myo‐inositol. In particular, heritability estimates were the highest (0.66) for taurine. Traits with moderate heritability were unaffected by aging period, with the exception of IMP, which was affected by aging period but exhibited moderate heritability (0.47). Although phenotypic correlations of water‐soluble compounds with carcass weight (CW), beef marbling standard (BMS) and monounsaturated fatty acid were generally low, genetic correlations between these traits were low to high. At the genetic level, most of the water‐soluble compounds were positively correlated with monounsaturated fatty acid but negatively correlated with CW and BMS. Thus, our results indicate that genetic variance and correlations could exist and be captured for some of the water‐soluble compounds.     

Effects of zilpaterol hydrochloride on retail yields of subprimals from beef and calf-fed Holstein steers

Retail cutting tests were conducted on subprimals from cattle fed zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH) to determine if the improved carcass composition and red meat yield resulting from ZH feeding would translate into increased retail yields of ready-to-cook products. As part of a 3-phase study, selection of carcasses from Holstein steers was done once (fall 2008), followed by the collection of carcasses from beef-type steers on 2 separate occasions (beef study I: summer 2009; beef study II: spring 2010). Each of the 3 groups of steers was assigned previously to 1 of 2 treatments, treated (fed 8.3 mg/kg of ZH for 20 d) or control (not fed ZH). All steers were slaughtered and carcasses were fabricated in commercial beef-processing establishments. Only those carcasses grading USDA Choice or higher were used. Five subprimals were used for both the calf-fed Holstein study (n = 546 subprimals) and beef study I (n = 576 subprimals): beef chuck, chuck roll; beef chuck, shoulder clod; beef round, sirloin tip (knuckle), peeled; beef round, top round; and beef round, outside round (flat). Seven subprimals were used in beef study II (n = 138 subprimals): beef chuck, chuck roll; beef round, sirloin tip (knuckle), peeled; beef round, top round; beef round, eye of round; beef loin, strip loin, boneless; beef loin, top sirloin butt, boneless; and beef loin, tenderloin. A simulated retail market environment was created, and 3 retail meat merchandisers prepared retail cuts from each subprimal so salable yields and processing times could be obtained. Differences in salable yields were found for the calf-fed Holstein steer chuck rolls (96.54% for ZH vs. 95.71% for control; P = 0.0045) and calf-fed Holstein steer top rounds (91.30% for ZH vs. 90.18% for control; P = 0.0469). However, other than heavier subprimals and an increased number of retail cuts obtained, total salable yields measured on a percentage basis and processing times were mostly unaffected by ZH. Cutability advantages of feeding ZH are achieved primarily in the carcass-to-subprimal conversion rather than in the subprimal-to-retail conversion.     

Identification and utilization of genes associated with beef qualities

The fatty acid composition of adipose tissue in beef has been recognized as an important trait because of its relationship with beef quality, including favorable beef flavor and tenderness. Over the last decade, we have tried to identify the genes responsible for the fatty acid composition in cattle, and have found the following. (i) Genetic polymorphism of stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD) is one of the responsible genes associated with fatty acid composition. The average effects of gene substitution of the SCD type A gene on the monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) percentage and the melting point of intramuscular fat were approximately +1.0% and ?1.0°C, respectively. (ii) Intron polymorphism of sterol regulatory element binding protein–1 (SREBP‐1) also affected MUFA. (iii) No effect of SCD or SREBP‐1 genotypes on any representative carcass traits of Japanese Black in the field population was observed. (iv) Additional genetic markers adipocytes fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) and liver X receptor α also affected the fatty acid composition. (v) SCD and FABP4 significantly affected fatty acid composition in Holstein steers. These findings will bring new insight into the fat‐related carcass traits of beef cattle and will thus contribute to the beef industry.     

Availability, brands, labelling and salmonella contamination of raw pet food in the minneapolis/st. Paul area

The purpose of the study was to characterize the commercially available raw meat pet food diets in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area by (i) determining the number and types of available diets; (ii) assessing pet food stores and brand labels for the provision of precautionary statements regarding the risk of foodborne illness from raw meat; (ii) assessing the labels for Food and Drug Administration (FDA)/American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) required content and nutrient-related information; and (iv) culturing purchased diets for the presence of Salmonella. Sixty raw meat diets were purchased, representing 11 different brands from eight different stores. Diets were readily available in the form of raw-frozen, dehydrated or freeze-dried varieties from different protein sources, such as lamb, beef, chicken or duck. All stores promoted raw meat diets; however, none provided foodborne illness warnings. Brands varied greatly in their precautionary statements; none of the diets underwent feeding trials; and nutritional adequacy substantiation was through formulation only. The first five ingredients tended to consist of meat, organ meat (by-products), vegetables, grains and ground bones. Currently, it is required that pet foods have an AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement and provide a guaranteed analysis table. Three brands did not meet these FDA requirements. Thirty-one (51.7%) of the 60 raw meat diets underwent some degree of processing including dehydration, freeze-drying or high-pressure pasteurization. Four of the 60 raw diets (7%) tested positive for Salmonella. Analysis of raw meat pet food labels indicated a lack of foodborne illness warnings. Based on these findings, we recommend that warning statements similar to those required by the United States Department of Agriculture and placed on labels of raw meat intended for human consumption be provided on the labels of raw meat pet food diets.     

Micronutrients affecting adipogenesis in beef cattle

Beef marbling is an important trait of meat quality and beef marbling influences the tenderness and flavor of beef, which contributes directly to the value of beef especially in the Japanese market. The lipid content of beef depends on the strain, sex, diet and fattening period of the animal. Japanese Black cattle (Wagyu) are well‐known for their ability to produce marbling beef and this is a popular strain in Japan. The development of beef marbling was closely associated with an increase in the number of adipocytes, that is, adipocyte differentiation in the skeletal muscle. This review article describes our experiment and related reports on micronutrients, especially vitamins and minerals, affecting adipogenesis in beef cattle. We pursue the possibility that manipulating the level of dietary micronutrients may become a new technique to promote beef marbling.     

Analysis of preference for domestic grass‐fed beef in Japanese youths

A questionnaire based on sensory evaluation of completely domestic grass‐fed beef was carried out on 157 Japanese undergraduate students aged between 18 and 22 years in Kitasato University. The sensory evaluation sheet consisted of 10 questions concerning preference for domestic grass‐fed beef, and three demographic/lifestyle questions. Using principal component analysis and cluster analysis, the respondents were divided into four groups (G1–G4). G1 accepted almost all properties. G2 accepted most properties but disliked chewiness. G3 accepted juiciness and flavor but disliked the color and texture of the meat. G4 tended to dislike almost all properties. According to chi‐square test, most G2‐people statistically liked other commercial beef and G4‐people had neutral and negative impressions. G1‐ or G3‐people did not have any significant tendency as regards beef preference. These results indicate that most of the young respondents who preferred domestic grass‐fed beef could not accept its texture, and some respondents could accept its juiciness and flavor. It is also suggested that a part of the people who like commercial beef do not prefer chewiness of grass‐fed beef. Such information will aid grass‐fed beef cattle breeders, producers and packers to improve the quality of beef and its evaluation.     

不同部位西门塔尔牛肉理化品质分析及烤制加工适宜性的研究

[目的]研究不同部位西门塔尔牛肉原料肉的理化品质,评价烤制加工后的食用品质和感官品质。[方法]选取体重为550 kg左右的西门塔尔肉牛10头,屠宰分割后取不同部位牛肉（里脊、外脊、前腿、后腿、眼肉、米龙）。4 ℃排酸72 h后,采用常规方法测定不同部位牛肉的蛋白质含量、脂肪含量、水分含量、pH值以及色泽指标,并对大理石花纹等级进行评分;220 ℃烤制10 min后,对不同部位牛肉进行剪切力和加工损失率测定,并对感官品质指标进行评价。[结果]不同部位牛肉的脂肪含量、大理石花纹评分、L^*值、a^*值、剪切力、色泽评分、嫩度评分、多汁性评分、香气评分和总体可接受性评分差异显著（P<0.05或P<0.01）,不同部位牛肉中的蛋白质含量、水分含量、pH值、b^*值、加工损失率、滋味评分差异不显著（P>0.05）。眼肉中脂肪含量最高（P<0.01）,前腿、后腿脂肪含量相同,均为最低（P<0.01）;眼肉、外脊的大理石花纹评分显著（P<0.01）高于其他部位;眼肉、外脊的L^*值显著（P<0.05）高于其他部位,里脊、后腿的L^*值显著（P<0.05）低于其他部位;外脊和眼肉的a^*值显著（P<0.01）低于其他部位;眼肉、外脊的剪切力显著（P<0.01）低于其他部位;眼肉的总体可接受性评分显著（P<0.05）高于其他部位,前腿、后腿和米龙的总体可接受性评分相同,均为最低（P<0.05）。[结论]外脊、眼肉的肌内脂肪含量高于其他部位,烤制后产品的嫩度、滋味及总体可接受性较好。眼肉和外脊是西门塔尔牛肉中最适宜加工烤制产品的部位。     

Genome‐wide association study for carcass traits,fatty acid composition,chemical composition,sugar, and the effects of related candidate genes in Japanese Black cattle

We performed a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) and candidate gene analysis to: (i) evaluate the effectiveness of the GWAS in our small population by performing GWAS for carcass weight (CW) and fatty acid composition; (ii) detect novel candidate regions affecting non‐CW carcass traits, chemical composition and sugar; and (iii) evaluate the association of the candidate genes previously detected in CW and fatty acid composition with other economically important traits. A total of 574 Japanese Black cattle and 40 657 Single nucleotide polymorphisms were used. In addition, candidate gene analyses were performed to evaluate the association of three CW‐related genes and two fatty acid‐related genes with carcass traits, fatty acid composition, chemical composition and sugar. The significant regions with the candidate genes were detected for CW and fatty acid composition, and these results showed that a significant region would be detectable despite the small sample size. The novel candidate regions were detected on BTA23 for crude protein and on BTA19 for fructose. CW‐related genes associated with the rib‐eye area and fatty acid composition were identified, and fatty acid‐related genes had no relationship with other traits. Moreover, the favorable allele of CW‐related genes had an unfavorable effect on fatty acid composition.     

内蒙古三河牛牛肉挥发性风味物质分析

旨探寻内蒙古三河牛牛肉风味特征物质,分析不同部位生牛肉中挥发性风味物质种类和含量,以期探索牛肉挥发性风味物质在牛肉中的作用机理。采集呼伦贝尔农垦集团三河牛牛肉16个部位共计48份样品,采用固相微萃取技术联合气相质谱分析仪（SPME-GC-MS）对三河牛牛肉中挥发性风味物质进行分析研究,挥发性组分通过与NIST20谱库及正构烷烃标准物质进行比对进行定性分析,且正反匹配度均大于800（最大值为1000）的鉴定结果予以确认,通过峰面积归一化法计算各组分的相对含量。结果表明,16个部位中挥发性风味化合物检测出7大类共159种主要挥发性风味物质,其中醛类化合物32种,醇类化合物21种,酸类化合物16种,烃类化合物37种,酯类化合物33种,酮类化合物10种和杂环类化合物11种。三河牛肉质氨基酸含量高、风味口感都非常好,是生产肉制品的高端原料。     

Technical note: Sampling methodology for relating sarcomere length,collagen concentration,and the extent of postmortem proteolysis to beef and pork longissimus tenderness

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sampling methodology on the relationship between longissimus tenderness and measures of biochemical meat traits. Sampling methodology included measurements of sarcomere length, collagen concentration, and postmortem desmin proteolysis on raw samples and measurements of these same traits on the same cooked meat used for shear force measurement. Twenty crossbred steers and 20 crossbred barrows were used for these studies. The beef longissimus thoracis were vacuum-packaged, stored at 2 degrees C until 14 d postmortem, then frozen and stored at -30 degrees C. The pork longissimus thoracis et lumborum were vacuum-packaged, stored at 2 degrees C until 7 d postmortem, then frozen and stored at -30 degrees C. Trained sensory panel tenderness rating ranged from 3.1 to 7.6 for beef and 4.1 to 7.4 for pork. The coefficient of variation was lower for sarcomere length than for all other traits. Simple correlation coefficients between measurements on raw and cooked samples were 0.58 (beef) and 0.11 (pork) for sarcomere length, 0.66 (beef) and 0.59 (pork) for collagen, and 0.74 (beef) and 0.76 (pork) for desmin degradation. Simple correlation coefficients between biochemical traits and measures of tenderness (Warner-Bratzler shear force and trained sensory tenderness rating) were higher or not different for cooked compared to raw samples. Correlation coefficients between biochemical traits and tenderness rating were 0.38 (raw) and 0.22 (cooked) for sarcomere length, -0.12 (raw) and -0.45 (cooked) for collagen, and 0.48 (raw) and 0.80 (cooked) for desmin degradation in beef longissimus and 0.14 (raw) and 0.15 (cooked) for sarcomere length, -0.38 (raw) and -0.33 (cooked) for collagen, and 0.53 (raw) and 0.67 (cooked) for desmin degradation in pork longissimus. The coefficients of determination for explaining variation in tenderness rating using sarcomere length, collagen concentration, and desmin degradation for raw and cooked samples were 0.43 and 0.73 (beef) and 0.48 and 0.57 (pork), respectively. This study indicates that measurements of biochemical traits on the same cooked meat as used for shear force determination account for more of the variation in measures of tenderness than biochemical measurements made on a separate raw sample.     

Analysis of Intramuscular Fatty Acids Composition of Black Angus Beef Raised in Ujinmqin Grassland

Intramuscular fatty acids content and composition of Australian imported Black Angus beef raised in Ujinmqin grassland were analysised in this experiment to provide basic data for future breeding,crossbreeding,and meat quality evaluation.Target samples were taken of tenderloin,nates,shoulder clod,ribloin,highrib,brisket and topside from seven Black Angus beef which were Australian imported and raised in Ujinmqin grassland,with mean weights of (500±38)kg.The high efficient fatty acids extraction method and gas chromatograph (GC) were used to determine the content and composition of intramuscular fatty acids.Then the resuls were compared with FAO/WHO recommended values.The results showed that,the SFA content in target samples of Black Angus beef followed from high to low as:tenderloin,highrib,ribloin,shoulder clod,brisket,nates,topside.Moreover,majorities of intramuscular fatty acids composition were palmitic acid and stearic acid.The most highest content in MUFA was oleic acid;large amount of linoleic acid and linolenic acid were found in PUFA;The highest ratio of P/S and M/S were shown in nates,and the ratio of n-3/n-6 was 0.85.It was concluded that the meat of Australian imported Black Angus beef raised in Ujinmqin grassland had good flavor and high nutritive value.     

乌珠穆沁草原饲养黑安格斯肉牛肌内脂肪酸组成的分析研究

试验旨在分析研究乌珠穆沁草原饲养澳大利亚黑安格斯肉牛肌内脂肪酸含量和组成,为今后该品种的饲养改良、杂交繁育及肉品质的提高提供科学的基础数据.试验采集7头体重为(500±38)kg澳大利亚黑安格斯肉牛的里脊、臀肉、肩肉、眼肉、上脑、胸肉和米龙等不同部位肉样,采用简单高效脂肪酸提取方法,用气相色谱仪测定脂肪酸组成与含量,并与FAO/WHO推荐值比较,进行脂肪酸营养价值分析.结果表明黑安格斯肉牛不同部位牛肉中饱和脂肪酸(SFA)含量由多到少顺序为里脊、上脑、眼肉、肩肉、胸肉、臀肉及米龙,皆以棕榈酸和硬脂酸含量为主;单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)中油酸含量最高;检出的多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)多为亚油酸和亚麻酸;臀肉P/S和M/S最高,n-3/n-6 PUFAs比值达到0.85,接近FAO/WHO推荐值.以上结果表明乌珠穆沁草原饲养的黑安格斯肉牛的肉质风味良好,有较高的营养价值.     

The g.841G>C SNP of FASN gene is associated with fatty acid composition in beef cattle

The objective of the current study is to evaluate the association between fatty acid composition and fatty acid synthase gene polymorphisms as responsible mutations. For this purpose, we selected seven previously reported single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FASN gene, including one within promoter region (g.841G>C) and six non‐synonymous SNPs (g.8805C>T, g.13126C>T, g.15532A>C, g.16024A>G, g.16039C>T, g.17924A>G), and genotyped them in Japanese Black cattle. Genotyping results revealed that g.8805 C>T and g.17924 A>G were monomorphic loci. Genome‐wide association analysis including the other five SNPs revealed that only g.841G>C showed significant associations with the percentages of C14:0, C14:1, C16:1 and C18:1 at 5% genome‐wide significance level. In order to further evaluate the effect, we genotyped g.841G>C using additional three populations, including two Japanese Black populations and a Holstein cattle population. g.16024A>G was also genotyped and included in the analysis because it has been reported to be associated with fatty acid composition in Japanese Black cattle. In the result of analysis of variance, g.841G>C showed stronger effects on fatty acid percentage than those of g.16024A>G in all populations. These results suggested that g.841G>C would be a responsible mutation for fatty acid composition and contribute to production of high‐grade beef as a selection marker in beef cattle.