Effect of suspension method on meat quality and ultra-structure of Chinese Yellow Cattle under 12–18 °C pre-rigor temperature controlled chilling

• Pelvic suspension with pre-rigor 12–18 °C chilling reduced WBSF after 1 day aging
• Pelvic suspension significantly extended myofibril I-bands and sarcomere length.
• Pelvic suspension is a valuable method for the Chinese beef industry to improve beef quality.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of suspension method under 12–18 °C pre-rigor temperature controlled chilling on quality traits and ultra-structure of Chinese Yellow Cattle M. Longissimus lumborum (LL). After slaughter, the right sides of carcasses were hung by the Achilles tendon (SA), while the left sides were hung from the pelvic bone (SP). Both sides went through the 12–18 °C pre-rigor muscle temperature controlled chilling. LL muscles were aged for 1, 7 or 14 days and then evaluated for quality traits and ultra-structure. SP had no significant effect on myofibril fragmentation index, but significantly decreased the purge loss during aging and the Warner–Bratzler shear force values after aging for 1 day. Electron microscopy and sarcomere length examination of LL showed that SP resulted in extended I-bands and sarcomere length. To conclude, applying SP under 12–18 °C pre-rigor temperature controlled chilling is a potential method for the Chinese beef industry to improve tenderness especially after 1 day of aging.