Influence of the housing system on meat quality of double muscled Piemontese young bulls

The effect of the housing system on qualitative characteristics of longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), semitendinosus (St) and supraspinatus (Ss) muscles was studied in cattle of hypertrophied Piemontese breed. Thirty young bulls, fifteen tie-stalled and fifteen housed in pens (5 m2/head of space allowance), were fed the same diet and were slaughtered at about 17 months of age and 560 kg live weight. Chemical analyses (pH24, chemical composition, haem iron and hydroxyproline contents, collagen heat solubility) and physical analyses (colour, water holding capacity, Warner Bratzler shear test) were performed on the three muscles, whilst sensory analysis was carried out on LTL muscle by a trained panel. Housing in pens increased hydroxyproline content and collagen solubility (P<0.01), decreased lightness of the three muscles (P=0.05) and influenced the other meat characteristics in a muscle-dependent manner. The loose housing system increased pH24 of LTL (P<0.05), water content of LTL and St (P<0.01), iron content of LTL and Ss (P<0.05), redness and yellowness of Ss (P<0.01), whilst decreasing protein content and yellowness of LTL and St (P<0.01). No significant differences for organoleptic quality due to housing system were observed. On the whole, even if significant, the differences in chemical and physical properties of the meat due to housing system were limited. Therefore, in comparison with the tie-stall housing, the housing in pens might promote the ethical quality of the meat product, being more respectful of animal freedom of movement, without worsening the meat quality.