IMPROVEMENT OF THE “TWO-POINT” METHOD FORMULA FORDETERMINING THE FLESHINESS OF PIG CARCASSES BASED ONOPTOELECTRONIC CHOIROMETER MEASUREMENTS

摘要

In the EU, the empirical relation used for determination of the fleshiness of pig carcasses based on measured thickness of fat and muscle tissue in predetermined measuring points is determined by prescribed procedure. The devices for measuring the thickness of fat and muscle tissue are mainly optoelectronic or ultrasound devices. In RH an optoelectronic device, ERO-1 has been developed according to the regulated technical and metrological demands valid in the EU. The ERO-1 device is calibrated and its length-measuring capability is traceable to RH’s national standard. The data gathered in measurements with ERO-1 devices (5 devices) over a period of two years have made possible the improvement of the “two-point” method formula. We have developed a new empirical relation for determining the percentage of the fleshiness of a pig carcass using the “two-point” method. The newly developed empirical relation provides better concordance with biological characteristics of pigs population and removes certain irregularities that were observed and related to the use of currently valid empirical relation employed with verified and validated method of “two-points”, used in EU and other countries.