Isolation of bovine intramuscular connective tissue

This report presents a simple and rapid method for separating intramuscular connective tissue (IMCT) from bovine muscles. After lyophilization, muscle samples are blended and fibrous connective tissue is isolated from pulverized muscle protein by sieving. This method requires little expense in time and equipment, is easy to handle and therefore, is well suited to large sample output. The isolation of IMCT is necessary for further studies on intramuscular collagen. Recoveries and collagen enrichment of this method have been tested using several bovine muscles varying in collagen content.