Influence of pre-slaughter resting time on shelf life and ammonia level of young bull meat during the storage

The aim of present study was to evaluate the impact of pre-slaughter resting time of Simmental fattened bulls (n=40, age 14 to 24 months, m=250-350 kg) on shelf life and ammonia level of obtained meat. Animals were transported 140 km to local slaughterhouse, within two groups. First one included farm raised animals slaughtered immediately after arrival, while the second group consisted of extensively raised animals rested 36 hours prior to slaughter. The content of ammonia was measured at 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th day of cold storage (2– 4 o ; C) in m. longissimus dorsi and m. gracilis. Initial ammonia level as well as ammonia levels measured during the storage in both muscles were higher in group of animals slaughtered immediately after arrival comparing to group of animals rested 36 hours prior to slaughter (P<0.001). At the end of storage period, meat became rotten in both groups leading us to conclude that 36 hours of resting prior to slaughter is not long enough to sufficiently suppress negative influence of stress on shelf life of meat.