The effect of high supplement levels of Vitamin D_3 on instrumental colour and drip loss of beta agonist treated beef

摘要

Twenty young steers received no beta agonist (C), while 5 groups of 20 animals each received the beta agonist, zilpaterol hydrochloride (Z), with 4 of these groups also vitamin D at the following levels (IU/animal /day) and durations before slaughter: 7 million for 3 days (3D7M) or 6 days (6D7M), 7 million for 6 days with 7 days no supplementation (6D7M7N) and 1 million for 9 days (9D1M). Left carcass sides were electrically stimulated (ES) and right sides not (NES).M. longissimus lumborum (LD) were vacuum-aged for 14 days post mortem. Parameters included drip loss and instrumental colour measurements. In general, zilpaterol showed increased drip loss, lighter meat, and reduced redness. Vitamin D_3 supplementation could not consistently overcome these negative effects. All vitamin D_3 treatments reduced drip loss of stimulated aged steaks. Certain treatment combinations improved the colour measurements, probably due to reduced oxidation and the consequent improved cell membrane integrity.