High-intensity ultrasonication of rabbit carcases: a first glance into a small-scale model to improve meat quality traits

High-intensity ultrasound has been reported as a novel technology applied to improve tenderness in beef, pork, lamb and poultry. Its potential benefit has been studied mostly in individual muscles. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of high-intensity ultrasound (HIU, 24 kHz, 12 W/cm(2) for 15 min) on quality traits of whole rabbit carcases. Twenty rabbit carcases were longitudinally split into two sides along the vertebral column. One side of the carcase was kept as Control and the opposed was vacuum packed and ultrasonicated with a probe Hielscher (R) UP400St. After treatment and 7 d (2 degrees C) in vacuum packs, m. L. dorsi (LD), Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus were dissected from the carcases to evaluate water holding capacity (WHC), shear force, pH, and colour (L*, a* and b*). Promising results were observed in LD after ultrasonication. LD shear force was reduced (p < .05) from 13.04 to 11.18 N (control vs. sonicated, respectively). The colour was also modified (p < .05), increasing L* from 46.70 to 48.30 units and increasing b* from 4.70 to 6.10 units (control vs. sonicated, respectively). WHC, was reduced (p < .05) by HIU only in loin. The pH, and a* from LD were not modified by ultrasonication (p > .05). In conclusion, HIU applied to rabbit carcases positively influenced LD characteristics, but no changes were observed in leg muscles under this study conditions. The data suggest that the effect of the HIU treatment on the whole carcase may differ according to the muscles.