THE USE OF ELECTRICAL STIMULATION IN MEAT PRODUCTION

The present chapter describes what is known about the effects of the use of electrical stimulation of carcasses of meat animals, including the effects on meat tenderness and meat sensorial characteristics. Electrical stimulation as a process involves passing an electric current through the carcass of freshly slaughtered animals. Electrical stimulation has been extensively used since the 1950s to hasten the onset of rigor mortis and to modify steps of the glycolytic pathway. Many studies conducted in the USA, in New Zealand, Australia and Europe have involved a variety of electrical stimulation methods on different types of meat animals. Data reported in many studies suggest that electrical stimulation, through hastening rigor changes, can significantly reduce in the carcasses of meat animals the phenomenon of cold shortening, one of the major cause of meat toughness. Although it is well established that electrical stimulation increases the rate of post mortem glycolysis, other biochemical and biophysical effects have been implicated with the use of this technology, including the possibility that electrical stimulation also results in physical disruption of muscle structure. Electrical stimulation can be considered as a part of the total meat production chain from slaughter to final sale, and has particular advantages for hot boning, where the shortening and toughening conditions that would occur for non stimulated muscles during chilling are avoided.