Chemical composition and cooking properties of beef forequarter muscles of Mexican cattle from different genotypes

Beef forequarter muscles biceps brachii (BRB), brachialis (BRA), complexus (COM), splenius (SPL), infraspinatus (INF), teres major (TER), rhomboideus (RHO), subscapularis (SUB), supraspinatus (SUP), triceps brachii long-head (TRB) and triceps brachii lateral-head (TRI) were obtained from Mexican beef carcasses originated from Bos indicus (Bi, n = 10) or Bos taurus (Bt, n = 10) young bulls. Muscles were analyzed for WBSF, cooking loss, and moisture and fat contents. INF had the lowest WBSF (37.23 N) and cooking loss (31.78%) of all. RHO exhibited the lowest moisture (72.62%) and highest fat content (5.23%) of all. Bi genotype exhibited higher WBSF (53.78, 48.69 N), higher cook loss (36.27, 34.32%), higher fat content (2.93, 2.35%), and lower moisture content (73.70, 75.07%) than Bt. Further research is needed to estimate the actual consumer acceptance of beef forequarter muscles and their marketing potential as individual cuts in the Mexican market.

► We studied 11 unaged muscles from Mexican Bos indicus and B. taurus young bulls.
► A strong variability in the chemical and cooking properties of muscles was observed.
► All muscles except infraspinatus were tough while rhomboideus was the fattiest one.
► Muscles from B. taurus were softer and had lower cooking loss than those of B. indicus.
► Further research on the effect of aging on the tenderness of muscles is needed.