NIRS PREDICTION FOR PROTEIN AND INTRAMUSCULAR FAT CONTENT OF RABBIT HIND LEG MEAT

The goal of this study was to develop calibration equations to predict the chemical composition of raw, homogenized rabbit meat by means of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). 44 Pannon White rabbits were housed in groups in three different pen types (16 anim./m2), and were fed the same diet. Another 45 animals were housed in cages (12 anim./m2) and fed by different feeding regimes. Rabbits were slaughtered at the bodyweight of 2.4-2.5 kg. Homogenized fresh and freeze-dried left total hind leg muscles were investigated by NIRS using a NIRSystem 6500 equipment with small ring cup sample holder. The ether extract and protein content of all samples were determined chemically. Samples 44 of housing experiment were applied in producing LOCAL calibration equations tested on the 45 samples from the separate feeding experiment. Coefficients of determination (R2) of the predictions were 0.89 and 0.99 for fat, 0.85 and 0.96 for protein in fresh and freeze-dried samples, respectively. Results are reassuring, because the equations were applicable, however the analyzed samples were from independent housing and feeding systems. Therefore the chemical compositions differed in the two datasets, i.e. 9.46%, and 11.79% for fat, 85.75% and 83.44% for protein content in calibration and prediction datasets, respectively. The average of NIRS predicted values for fat and protein was 11.36%, 83.88% or 11.54%, 83.45% when using fresh or freeze-dried samples, respectively

In Vivo Examination of Fat Deposition in Growing Rabbits Selected for High and Low Body Fat Content

Pannon White rabbits of average ± 1 S.D. live weight at 10 weeks and of average ± 1 S.D. daily weight gain between 6 and 10 weeks of age were chosen from the experimental stock of our university, and their fat content was determined with an EM-SCAN SA-3152 type small animal body composition analyser (by means of TOBEC method) at 10 weeks of age. Based on the fat content determined, the best and worst 16% of the does and the best and worst 8% of the bucks were chosen and mated with each other (fatty doe with fatty buck and lean doe with lean buck). Their offspring were examined by computer tomography (CT) weekly between 6 and 11 weeks of age. Cross-sectional images (scans) were taken from the scapular arch to the end of the femur on each animal. From this scans the amount of fat was determined and its ratio to the total amount of body was calculated in the scapular, perirenal and pelvic region. In the most cases it was established that the total body fat content and also fat content in the scapular, perirenal and pelvic regions are significantly higher in the offspring of fatty rabbits as in the offspring of non-fatty ones. In the group of non-fatty rabbits the scapular fat increased intensively from the age of 7 weeks. The perirenal fat content began to grow rapidly at 8 weeks in fatty group and at 10 weeks of age in the non-fatty rabbits. Based on the results of this experiment TOBEC method seems to be a useful thing for selecting rabbits based on their body fat content

APPLICABILITY OF THE TOBEC METHOD IN SELECTION OF HEN’S EGGS BASED ON THEIR COMPOSITION

Applicability of the TOBEC method (electrical conductivity) was tested for the in vivo determination of different egg components and for the separation of eggs with different composition. Altogether 300 hen’s eggs – originated from a 36 weeks old ROSS-308 hybrid parent stock – were measured by TOBEC, and the extreme and average 5-5% – based on the measured values – were chosen for chemical analysis. It was established that the albumen/yolk ratio and the dry matter, crude protein and crude fat content of the eggs are in medium correlation with the E-value/egg weight ratio (r=0.47, -0.58, -0.59 and -0.35 respectively). The albumen/yolk ratio, the dry matter and the crude protein content of the eggs, selected for high and low E-value/egg weight ratio, differed significantly at P<0.05 level. The difference between the average crude fat content of the eggs in the two extreme groups was significant at P<0.10 level

Predictability of fat-free mass and fat content in intact hen’s eggs using electrical conductivity

The effect of egg size and composition on the viability of the offspring has been tested in several former experiments, but the clarification of these correlations was mainly hindered by the lack of a reliable technique/equipment, capable of determining the egg composition in vivo. In the course of the present work electrical conductivity (the so-called TOBEC method) was applied for determining the fat-free mass and the fat content of intact eggs in vivo. Using hen&rsquo;s eggs in this trial it was established that for predicting the fat-free mass in hen&rsquo;s eggs, the weight of eggs seems to be a very good predictor (R2=0.99) and therefore the use of the TOBEC method is not necessary in this case. In prediction of the weight and ratio of fat, the common use of the E-value (total conductivity index) and weight of eggs in the regression models resulted in a medium accuracy of prediction (R2=0.48-0.49)

Milsits.indd

SUMMARY Pannon White rabbits of average ± 1 S.D. live weight at 10 weeks and of average ± 1 S.D. daily weight gain between 6 and 10 weeks of age were chosen from the experimental stock of our university, and their fat content was determined with an EM-SCAN SA-3152 type small animal body composition analyser (by means of TOBEC method) at 10 weeks of age. Based on the fat content determined, the best and worst 16% of the does and the best and worst 8% of the bucks were chosen and mated with each other (fatty doe with fatty buck and lean doe with lean buck). Their offspring were examined by computer tomography (CT) weekly between 6 and 11 weeks of age. Cross-sectional images (scans) were taken from the scapular arch to the end of the femur on each animal. From this scans the amount of fat was determined and its ratio to the total amount of body was calculated in the scapular, perirenal and pelvic region. In the most cases it was established that the total body fat content and also fat content in the scapular, perirenal and pelvic regions are significantly higher in the offspring of fatty rabbits as in the offspring of non-fatty ones. In the group of non-fatty rabbits the scapular fat increased intensively from the age of 7 weeks. The perirenal fat content began to grow rapidly at 8 weeks in fatty group and at 10 weeks of age in the non-fatty rabbits. Based on the results of this experiment TOBEC method seems to be a useful thing for selecting rabbits based on their body fat content

Cross-sectional imaging assisted selection for heart performance in pigs

A two-way selection procedure was performed on a Landrace pig line. First the cardiac output (CO) values (6.89 ± 1.27 L/min) were estimated by ECG-gated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify the heart performance of the boars (n = 30), then total body skeletal muscle volume (MVTB; 48.7 ± 5.17 dm3) was determined applying spiral computerised tomography (CT). The relative cardiac output value (RCO) was developed, expressing the relationship between CO and MVTB. Four superior [RCO value below 6.7 dm3 / (L *min−1)] and one minus variant [(8.97 dm3/ (L *min−1)] boars were taken into breeding. The best fifteen percentage of the first generation males (n = 30) was characterised according to their RCO values. Significant difference was found between the developed performance measure of the progenies of minus and plus variant boars [8.2 ± 0.65 and 5.63 ± 0.70 dm3/ (L * min−1), n = 7 and 23], respectively. Comparing the existing five progeny groups, all of the ‘HP+’ groups differed significantly from the ‘HP-’ one, where the largest heart performance contrast found was 3.2 dm3/ (L *min−1). Based upon the results, the selection is being continued on a larger population

In vivo studies on goose liver development by means of computer tomography

Commercial geese (Gray Landes) were examined by means of high-resolution spiral computer tomography in order to follow their liver development in vivo. Three ganders were scanned six times before, within and after a force-feeding period. 3D images of the liver were reconstructed from the 2D transverse slices with segmentation and rendering methods. The changes in the external surface, the volume of the liver and also the characteristic Hounsfield values were determined. The livers of another 70 ganders were examined by CT, then by direct chemical analysis (days 0, 13, 18, 19, 20 and 21 of force-feeding). To estimate the chemical composition of the tissue, prediction equations were developed based on the pixel frequency distributions. With partial least squares (PLS) regression, the ether extract and crude protein content could be estimated with R2 = 0.97 and R2 = 0.96 accuracy, respectively. Data analysis was complemented with serial blood serum measurements characteristic of liver steatosis. The method applied may be a unique possibility to study the real geometrical relations of liver development and also to describe the qualitative changes of tissue composition during the force-feeding period in vivo, with special regards to selection purposes.Études in vivo du développement du foie d’oie par tomographie. Le développement du foie des oies (Landaise grise) a été examiné « in vivo » par tomographie spirale à haute résolution (CT). Les coupes ont été préparées sur six jours différents, avant, pendant et après le gavage, sur trois jars. Les images en trois dimensions (3D) ont été reconstituées à partir des images en 2D, par l’ajustement selon la méthode d’ajustement par segments. La modification de la surface externe et du volume du foie ont été définies par les valeurs Hounsfield. Outre les foies des trois jars, 70 jars ont été encore examinés par la même méthode (CT), ensuite des analyses chimiques directes ont été réalisées aux jours 0, 13, 18, 19, 20 et 21 du gavage. La composition chimique du foie a été estimée par la création d’équations de régression en fonction de la division de fréquence des pixels. A l’aide d’équations des moindres carrés la teneur en graisse et en protéines du foie ont été prédites avec une bonne précision (R2 = 0,97 et 0,90, respectivement). L’analyse du développement de la stéatose hépatique a été complétée par la mesure des caractéristiques sanguines. La méthode de tomographie « in vivo » donne la possibilité unique de caractériser les corrélations géométriques réelles au cours du développement du foie et de décrire les modifications qualitatives dans la composition du tissu pendant l’engraissement par gavage. Cette méthode pourrait être utilisée en sélection

Analytical and bioluminescence-based non-invasive quality assessment of differentially grown strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch. ‘Asia’) during household refrigeration storage

Strawberry is a typical spring fruit, for which consumer demand is particularly high; however, information is scarce on the comparison of quality traits of strawberries of local and imported origin during household refrigeration storage. That is why we sought to answer the question of to what extent the quality of strawberries changes during 5 days of household refrigeration storage. The choice of methods was focused on fast and at the same time informative analytical methods: pH, total antioxidant capacity, and lipid oxidation. Furthermore, a non-invasive imaging technique: ultra-weak bioluminescence measurement was carried out along with the determination of fruit morphological (weight, height, width, and color) and analytical (antioxidant capacity and lipid oxidation) traits. The data indicate that the longer strawberries are cultivated in the same plantation, the smaller their fruit weight and the lower their fruit quality become.In addition, the results cast light on a controversial fact: despite the fact that the sample from the store had the finest appearance, as determined, its antioxidant capacity was the lowest for the duration of home refrigeration storage, indicating the lowest nutritional value.This was validated by the lipid oxidation levels, which were defined by the amount of malondialdehyde as well as by the rate of ultra-weak bioluminescence. The research underlines the exceptional value of local fruits over importand provides valuable information to customers, encouraging them to purchase strawberries from local farms in order to not only support the local economy but also to adopt a more health-conscious attitude. In addition, ultra-weak bioluminescence testing offers a non-invasive method for assessing fruit quality