Use of multiparametric magnetic resonance microscopy for discrimination among different processing protocols and anatomical positions of Slovenian dry-cured hams

A novel multiparametric magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) approach was applied to the Slovenian Kraški pršut dry-cured ham samples in order to evaluate its potential for discrimination among biceps femoris and semimembranosus muscle from two hams, differing in processing (salting duration) and thus in water and salt content. The approach is based on apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) mapping as well as on longitudinal (T1) and transversal (T2) nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation time mapping. Three-dimensional maps were acquired and analyzed by one dimensional (1D) ADC, T1, and T2 distributions as well as by paired two-dimensional ADC-T1, ADC-T2 and T1-T2 distributions. The discriminating potential of the applied MRM approach was confirmed by differences among both 1D and 2D distributions of different ham samples. In addition, distribution peak positions highly correlated with the conventionally determined moisture content.