Meat processing - Protein, Slaughter, Preservation

meat processing

Table of Contents

Introduction
Conversion of muscle to meat
- Muscle structure and function
  - Skeletal muscle structure
  - Skeletal muscle contraction
- Postmortem muscle
  - pH changes
  - Protein changes
Properties of meat
- Chemistry and nutrient composition
  - Protein
  - Fat
  - Vitamins and minerals
  - Cholesterol
  - Carbohydrates
  - Water
- Colour
  - Myoglobin content
  - Oxidation state of iron
- Tenderness
  - Meat grain
  - Connective tissue
  - Fat
- Postmortem quality problems
  - DFD meat
  - PSE meat
  - Cold shortening
  - Heat ring
Livestock slaughter procedures
- Preslaughter handling
- Stunning
- Slaughtering
  - Hogs
  - Cattle, calves, and sheep
- By-products
Meat inspection
- Antemortem and postmortem inspection
- Reinspection during processing
- Sanitation
- Facilities and equipment
- Labels and standards
- Compliance
- Pathology and epidemiology
- Residue monitoring and evaluation
Meat grading
Retail meat cutting
- Pork fabrication
- Beef fabrication
- Lamb fabrication
- Veal fabrication
Meat cookery
- Colour changes
- Structural changes
Meat microbiology, safety, and storage
- Food-borne microorganisms
  - Food-spoilage microorganisms
  - Food-poisoning microorganisms
  - Prevention of microbial contamination
- Preservation and storage
  - Cold storage
  - Freezing
  - Vacuum packaging
  - Canning
  - Drying
  - Fermentation
  - Irradiation
  - Curing and smoking

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Meat is an excellent source of protein. As is explained above, these proteins carry out specific functions in living muscle tissue and in the conversion of muscle to meat. They include actin and myosin (myofibrillar proteins), glycolytic enzymes and myoglobin (sarcoplasmic proteins), and collagen (connective tissue proteins). Because the proteins found in meat provide all nine essential amino acids to the diet, meat is considered a complete source of protein. Fats, in the form of triglycerides, accumulate in the fat cells found in and around the muscles of the animal. Fat deposits that surround the muscles are called adipose tissue, ...(100 of 6858 words)

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