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Challenges in Applying Multimodal Imaging Technologies to Quantify In Vivo Glycogen and Intramuscular Fat in
Tharcilla I R C Alvarenga1, Peter McGilchrist2, Marianne D Keller3,4
1Armidale Livestock Industries Centre, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|March 13, 2025
Summary
Predicting meat quality and muscle fat in cattle pre-slaughter is challenging. While ultrasound is useful for predicting body composition and fat, new methods are needed for accurate muscle glycogen estimation.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Agricultural Technology
- Meat Science
Background:
- Accurate prediction of pre-slaughter meat quality traits, including dark, firm, dry meat and muscle fat, remains a practical challenge in the beef industry.
- Ultrasound technology offers a non-invasive, in vivo method for assessing body composition and has shown strong correlations with animal production traits, particularly for predicting intramuscular fat in cattle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges and explore alternative technologies for accurately estimating muscle glycogen levels in cattle.
- To identify methods that overcome the limitations of ultrasound in predicting glycogen due to variations in fat, muscle, and water composition.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing technologies and methodologies for predicting meat quality and body composition in farm animals.
- Evaluation of ultrasound technology's application and limitations in estimating muscle glycogen content.
- Exploration of alternative and complementary technologies such as hyperspectral imaging, microwave sensor technology, and digital infrared thermal imaging.
Main Results:
- Ultrasound technology is effective for predicting intramuscular fat but faces challenges in accurately estimating muscle glycogen due to compositional variability.
- Alternative methods like hyperspectral imaging, microwave sensor technology, and digital infrared thermal imaging demonstrate superior accuracy in assessing moisture and fat components.
- These alternative technologies offer potential solutions to improve the practicability and accuracy of estimating muscle glycogen levels in cattle.
Conclusions:
- While ultrasound is valuable for certain meat quality predictions, its application for muscle glycogen estimation in cattle is limited.
- Emerging technologies show promise for more accurate non-invasive assessment of muscle composition, including glycogen, fat, and moisture.
- Further research and integration of these advanced imaging and sensing technologies are recommended to enhance pre-slaughter meat quality evaluations in cattle.
