Divergent temperaments are associated with beef tenderness and the inhibitory activity of calpastatin

Ninety-six feedlot-finished Nellore steers were used to verify the relationship between temperament indicators and meat tenderization. Temperament index (TI), chute score (CS), and average of exit velocity (EV) with CS (AT) presented low positive correlations (P ≤ 0.05) with shear force, either at 2 or 16 days postmortem (WBSF-16). The rectal temperature was consistently correlated with temperament indicators (TI, CS, and AT) and WBSF-16. Two groups (n = 12) representing the most tender (39.2 ± 4.9 N) and most tough meat (94.1 ± 11.8 N), based on WBSF-16, were compared for temperament, and calpastatin activity (CASTa) was determined 48 h postmortem. The tender group presented lower EV, TI, and AT (P ≤ 0.05). The tender group exhibited lower (P ≤ 0.05) CASTa in the triceps brachii muscle, but there was no difference in CASTa in the longissimus lumborum muscle between WBSF groups. Meat tenderness and inhibitory activity of calpastatin may be associated with divergent temperament indices in zebu cattle.