Development of the Pectoralis major in broiler chickens and effects on the meat quality

• Grant number: 08/08854-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2009
• End date: April 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Production
• Principal Investigator: Ariel Antonio Mendes
• Grantee: Augusto Balog Neto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Currently the consumer market has opted to consuming broiler chicken in cuts which the breast is more valued than the excessively component ones of the carcass. This valuation of the breast has stimulated the geneticists to develop genotypes that not only present a bigger speed of growth as well as a bigger ratio of meat of breast in relation to the body weight. The strains broiler chickens are resulted of the success of the programs of selection for a fast growth and conformation, especially breast development. A time that if has consumed more processed products an important aspect to be considered is the technological quality of the meat. However, the selection pressure has provoked a bigger incidence of problems related to the quality of the meat of breast in broiler chickens. The observed anomaly most common is meat PSE (pale, soft and exudative), that this related to the speed and amplitude of acidification post mortem of the meat, and affect the sensorial and technological quality of this, representing considerable economic losses to the poultry industry. On the basis of these aspects, the general objective of this study is follow up the development of the pectoral muscle (Pectoralis major) of broiler chickens in four strains of growth fast and, to evaluate the performance and carcass yield; histological and biochemists modifications during the muscular growth and its effect on the technological quality of the meat. (AU)