Using segmental bioimpedance analysis to estimate soft tissue and chemical composition of retail cuts and carcasses of lambs

This study evaluated the potential of segmental bioimpedance analysis (SBIA) to estimate the composition of retail cuts and their predictability to infer on the carcass composition in lambs. Leg, rib, shoulder, neck, and loin from thirty-one lamb carcasses were evaluated. A single-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer at 50 kHz was used to perform measurements. The models for estimating soft tissue showed the highest accuracy in the retail cuts. Lean and fat weight of the lamb cuts or of the carcasses were predicted with R² of calibration ranging from 86.6 to 99.1% and from 67.5 to 95.4%, respectively. Segmental bioimpedance analysis is an accurate technology to assess physical and chemical components in retail cuts of lamb. Despite that, shoulder was the most representative cut; all cuts evaluated through SBIA were valuable to estimate the components of the edible portion of lamb carcasses.