EFFECT OF SLAUGHTER WEIGHT ON SENSORY MEAT QUALITY IN KIDS

摘要

Most of the local goat breeds are poorly studied and its quality is, most of the times, badly known. Bermeya is a native breed from the North of Spain (Asturias region) and it is reared as semi intensive and unweaned or in a traditional extensive production system in the mountains of this region. The aim of this study was to assess how sensory quality is affected by two slaughter weights associated to two production systems (light - milk fed vs. heavy- grass fed). Twenty two animals were used. Sensory analyses were performed both by a trained sensory panel and by 100 consumers. Samples were aged for 4 days at 4 °C in both analyses. The trained panel included 9 panellists, who assessed a total of 13 descriptors. The effect of slaughter weight was significant in several descriptors. Fat odour and fat flavour intensity were significantly influenced by slaughter live weight (p<0,05), with higher scores in animals slaughtered at a lighter weight. Tenderness and juiciness had higher values in light kids. As a consequence, heaver animals were found 11% more fibrous than light ones. Consumers showed greater general acceptability and tenderness acceptability in light kids, coincidentally with the preference expressed by the trained panel. We can conclude that, at these production systems and slaughter weights, heavier animals had lower quality and acceptability and that both products are different enough in their sensory characteristics to be commercialized with different labels.