A Preliminary Comparison of Beef Carcases Stunned using DTS: Diathermic Syncope® or Captive Bolt in Terms of Selected Meat Quality Attributes and Plasma Biomarker Concentrations

A novel technology for inducing unconsciousness prior to slaughter has been developed (DTS). For commercial reasons meat quality attributes are important, and impacts on endocrine responses provide an indication of animal welfare. We compared endocrine, ultimate pH (after 1 10 weeks storage) cattle carcases processed using DTS with those penetrative captive bolt (CB). There were no significant differences between treatments in the change plasma cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone, β-endorphin catecholamines baseline immediately post-slaughter, terms at 24 h post slaughter. pH, shear force, TBARS or drip loss CB samples round loin week slaughter; was yellower quartering (MINOLTA b* P < 0.05). At 1, loins redder a*, 0.05) b*, 0.05), while rounds lighter L*, than CB. 10, there color treatments. Processing results changes that comparable