Comparison of carcass and meat characteristics of Brahman grade cattle (Bos indicus) and crossbred water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine and compare the live traits, carcass yield and the physical, chemical, processing and sensory properties of meat from 20 Brahman grade cattle (crossbred cattle) and crossbred water buffalo (Philippine carabao × Murrah, Bulgarian or Indian) with an average age and weight of 29 months and 434 kg, respectively. The animals were fed a similar diet for 180 days before slaughter. A survey was performed to establish consumer meat preference between the two species. Live weights before slaughter of the two species were found to be different (P < 0.05) with the crossbred water buffalo showing higher bodyweight. However, the crossbred water buffalo had a lower (P < 0.05) dressing yield based on hot carcass weight and chilled carcass weight. The lower dressing yield of crossbred water buffalo can be attributed to its higher (P < 0.05) weights of edible and non‐edible slaughter by‐products. The chilled carcass yield of the forequarters and hindquarters from crossbred cattle and crossbred water buffalo were comparable when expressed as percent of live weight and chilled carcass weight. The estimated lean yield was higher in crossbred cattle than crossbred water buffalo. Crude protein, ash, fat, cholesterol, myofibrillar, sarcoplasmic and insoluble protein contents of the beef and carabao meat were all similar. Water holding capacity, pH, muscle fiber diameter, tenderness, firmness and marbling score in carabeef were all comparable to the beef. Redness was found to be higher (P < 0.05) in carabeef than the beef as measured with a color meter. The consumer meat preference survey showed that 55.9% selected the beef while 44.1% preferred carabeef. The color and amount of fat on the outside of the beef sample were primary in buyer selection.

Comparison of fattening performance in Brahman grade cattle (Bos indicus) and crossbred water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) fed on high roughage diet

“…In the present experiment, there was no significant gender effect in the results obtained with both species (the crossbred cattle and the crossbred water buffalo), hence the mean values shown in the tables are the mean of 10 animals and standard error of mean was as same as in the previous works (Lapitan et al . 2004a,b, 2007).…”

“…In previous study reported by Lapitan et al . (2004a, 2007) the crossbred water buffalo had a comparable production performance in terms of meat production, carcass and meat quality to the crossbred cattle under high grain‐based fattening rations.…”

“…However, there is little information available on performance in terms of meat production, carcass and meat quality of growing crossbred water buffalo in the Philippines. Our recent studies (Lapitan et al . 2004a, 2007) on the meat production, carcass and meat quality between Brahman grade cattle (crossbred cattle) and crossbred water buffalo at the same young age (18–24 months) and fed with high grain‐based fattening diets (corn silage, brewer's grain and concentrate mixture) in the Philippines found that the performance of crossbred cattle and crossbred water buffalo was comparable in terms of growth, carcass and meat quality.…”

“…The aim of this study was to compare the fattening performance between Brahman grade cattle and crossbred water buffaloes at same age (18–24 months) and fed with high roughage rations based on Napier grass or Para grass and a small amount of concentrate mixture that is locally available. Part of this work has been briefly described by Lapitan et al . (2004b).…”

Effects of plane of nutrition on slaughtering traits and meat characteristics in Murrah graded male buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calves in Nepal

“…Anderson (1975) illustrated that plane of nutrition did not affect muscle and fat yields up to 350 kg and 230 kg BW, respectively, in cattle. More fat (33.3%) and less lean and bone (55.5 and 11.3%) than the present study were found in heavier buffalo males with better planes of nutrition grown at 0.83 kg/day from 340 to 490 kg BW having been fed maize silage, brewers grain and concentrate in 5:3:2 at 3% of BW on a total DM basis (Lapitan et al . 2007).…”