Poultry meat and its production method

Abstract

This invention provides poultry meat that can reduce the effects of rigor mortis and a method for producing the same. [Solution] The bird meat is in a featherless state and comprises a skull with the brain inside destroyed, a thoracic vertebra and a compound sacrum with the spinal cord inside destroyed. More preferably, the brain and at least a portion of the spinal cord are destroyed. The method for producing the meat involves destroying the brain inside the skull, or destroying the spinal cord inside at least one of the bird's thoracic vertebra and compound sacrum along the vertebral column.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to avian meat and a method for producing the same.

Background Art

[0002] Meat is produced by slaughtering, dismembering and processing birds for meat. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which after cutting the carotid artery of a bird during slaughter, electricity is applied to the bird to cause the bird to lose consciousness, cause muscle spasms, and exsanguinate. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for instantly dislocating the cervical vertebrae of a bird to stun it for humane slaughter.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, avian muscles contract after slaughter and undergo rigor mortis, which reaches its maximum around 2 hours after slaughter; after several hours, the meat becomes tender through resolution of rigor accompanied by aging, and is then served for consumption. Rigor mortis not only makes meat tough, but also reduces the water-holding capacity of the meat, thus greatly affecting the meat quality after resolution of rigor. Therefore, there is a demand for techniques that reduce the influence of rigor mortis.

[0005] The present invention has been made to meet this demand, and an object thereof is to provide avian meat capable of reducing the influence of rigor mortis and a method for producing the same.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] A first embodiment for achieving this objective is the flesh of a bird, comprising at least one of a skull with a destroyed brain, a thoracic vertebra with a destroyed spinal cord, and a compound sacrum, and in a feathered state.

[0007] In the second embodiment, the brain and at least a portion of the spinal cord are destroyed in the first embodiment.

[0008] A third aspect is the first or second aspect, wherein the nerves extending from the spinal cord towards the tail are further destroyed.

[0009] The fourth aspect is a method for producing meat, which involves destroying the brain located inside the skull of a bird.

[0010] A fifth aspect involves destroying the spinal cord, which is located inside the spinal column, along the spinal column, after destroying the brain in the fourth aspect.

[0011] The sixth aspect is a method for producing meat, comprising destroying the spinal cord located within at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and the compound sacrum of a bird along the vertebral column.

[0012] A seventh aspect involves, in the sixth aspect, severing the carotid artery of a bird and then destroying the spinal cord. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] Birds consume adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to contract and relax their muscles, but the supply of ATP stops after death. The spinal cord, which issues commands to contract skeletal muscles, continues to consume ATP after death in birds. However, because birds have the spinal cord located inside at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and the complex sacrum, which are close to the muscles (such as breast and thigh meat), and at least one of the brains that issues commands to contract skeletal muscles, the amount of ATP consumed by the spinal cord and brain from the breast and thigh meat can be reduced compared to the prior art described in Patent Document 2, in which the spinal cord in the cervical vertebrae is severed. This reduces the effects of rigor mortis, makes it easier to maintain freshness, and ensures the firmness of the meat, thus improving the texture. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a bird in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a bird in the second embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of a bird in the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a bird 10 in the first embodiment. In Figure 1, the feathers are not shown, and the bird 10 is shown with its skeleton visible through the glass (the same applies to Figure 2).

[0016] Bird 10 comprises a head 11, neck 12, body 13, and tail 14, and includes, in order from the head 11 to the tail 14, a skull 15 and a vertebral column 16. The vertebral column (spinal cord) 16 includes, in order from the neck 12 to the tail 14, cervical vertebrae 17, thoracic vertebrae 18, compound sacrum 19, and caudal vertebrae 20. Compound sacrum 19 includes, in order, the posterior part of the thoracic vertebrae 18, the lumbar vertebrae, the sacral vertebrae, and the anterior part of the caudal vertebrae 20, which are fused together. If the bird 10 is young, bone fusion is not yet fully complete, so compound sacrum 19 may include parts that are not fully fused.

[0017] The skull 15 is located inside the head 11, and the cervical vertebrae 17 are located inside the neck 12. The thoracic vertebrae 18 and the compound sacrum 19 are located inside the torso 13, and the caudal vertebrae 20 are located inside the tail 14. The superficial pectoral muscles (breast meat) and deep pectoral muscles (tenderloin) are attached to the thoracic vertebrae 18 via the sternum, etc. The biceps femoris muscle (thigh meat) is attached to the compound sacrum 19 via the lumbar skeleton formed by the attachment of the hip bone.

[0018] The skull 15 protects the brain 41 (see FIG. 3), and the cervical vertebrae 17, thoracic vertebrae 18, and composite sacrum 19 protect the spinal cord 21. The medulla oblongata of the brain 41 is connected to the spinal cord 21. The medulla oblongata is a part of the brain 41 and is an indispensable nerve for respiration and heartbeat. The brain 41 and the spinal cord 21 issue commands to contract skeletal muscle, and the commands are transmitted to the muscle via motor nerves. The nerve 22 extending from the spinal cord 21 toward the tail 14 is disposed inside the composite sacrum 19. The nerve 22 is a passage for nerve signals traveling to and from the leg.

[0019] Examples of the bird 10 include poultry and wildfowl such as chicken, ostrich, guinea fowl, turkey, pigeon, duck (including mallard, domestic duck and muscovy duck), quail, and pheasant. Examples of the meat of the bird 10 include thigh meat (biceps femoris), breast meat (superficial pectoral muscle), chicken tender (deep pectoral muscle), and chicken wing, but there is no limitation as long as the meat is for human consumption.

[0020] Meat is produced through steps such as slaughtering the bird 10, defeathering, and evisceration (removal of internal organs). After slaughtering, a cook or a consumer may debone and dress the slaughtered bird to separate it into thigh meat, breast meat, chicken tender, chicken wings, etc., or a meat producer may debone and dress the bird to separate the meat into parts, and then provide the meat to the cook or consumer. Internal organs separated from the meat (such as the liver and heart) may also be used for food.

[0021] To slaughter the bird 10, first the carotid artery passing through the neck 12 of the bird 10 is cut. It is naturally possible to bleed the bird via the carotid artery. When cutting the carotid artery, the cervical vertebrae 17 may also be cut to separate the head 11 from the torso 13, or a portion of the neck 12 may be left connected. Even when the carotid artery is cut and a portion of the neck 12 is left connected, the cervical vertebrae 17 are cut. The cervical vertebrae 17 may be cut at the position where the carotid artery is cut, or the cervical vertebrae 17 may be cut at a position different from the position where the carotid artery is cut. In the present embodiment, after cutting the carotid artery passing through the neck 12, the spinal column 16 is cut at a wound 23 formed at the boundary between the cervical vertebrae 17 and the thoracic vertebrae 18 (a position different from the position where the carotid artery is cut), thereby separating the head 11 from the torso 13.

[0022] A wire (not shown) is inserted into the thoracic vertebrae 18 from the cut surface of the spinal column 16 exposed through the wound 23 to mechanically destroy the spinal cord 21 inside the thoracic vertebrae 18. The wire has flexibility that allows it to bend along the spinal column 16, and mechanical strength that enables it to enter through the wound 23, advance through the spinal column 16, and destroy the spinal cord 21. The spinal cord 21 can also be destroyed by reciprocating the wire along the thoracic vertebrae 18. It is desirable to destroy the spinal cord 21 in 2 or more, preferably 3 or more, more preferably 4 or more of the thoracic vertebrae 18.

[0023] The spinal cord 21 consumes ATP even after the death of the bird 10. Since the entire spinal cord 21 inside the thoracic vertebrae 18 is destroyed, or most parts of the spinal cord 21 inside the thoracic vertebrae 18 are destroyed in the present invention, ATP consumption by the spinal cord 21 after the death of the bird 10 can be reduced. This reduces the influence of rigor mortis that causes decreased water retention, such as delaying rigor mortis, for the superficial pectoral muscles and deep pectoral muscles stored with the thoracic vertebrae 18 attached. Therefore, by properly adjusting the storage conditions after slaughter, juicy and delicious meat of the bird 10 (such as breast meat and chicken tenderloin) can be provided.

[0024] It is preferable that the wire is advanced along the thoracic vertebrae 18, and further the spinal cord 21 inside the spinal column 16 is destroyed along the compound sacrum 19. This is because ATP consumption by the spinal cord 21 inside the compound sacrum 19 after the death of the bird 10 can be reduced. The wire may be reciprocated along the compound sacrum 19. This reduces the influence of rigor mortis that causes decreased water retention for the biceps femoris muscle stored with the compound sacrum 19 attached.

[0025] It is preferable that the nerve 22 is destroyed when the wire reaches the nerve 22 extending from the spinal cord 21 toward the tail 14 of the bird 10. This is because the nerve 22 is a pathway for nerve signals going to and from the leg, so the destruction of the nerve 22 can reduce ATP decomposition caused by expansion and contraction of the leg. This further reduces the influence of rigor mortis.

[0026] The second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. In the first embodiment, a method was described in which the spinal cord 21 inside the thoracic vertebra 18 was destroyed first, starting from the boundary between the cervical vertebra 17 and the thoracic vertebra 18. In the second embodiment, a method for producing meat from a bird 30 will be described in which the spinal cord 21 inside the composite sacrum 19 is destroyed first. In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as in the first embodiment, and the description of the same parts is omitted.

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a bird 30 in the second embodiment. To slaughter the bird 30, first a wound 31 is made in the neck 12 of the bird 30 to sever the carotid artery passing through the neck 12. At this time, the cervical vertebrae 17 may be cut to separate the head 11 from the body 13, or the head 11 may be left attached to the body 13 at the neck 12 with the wound 31 without cutting the cervical vertebrae 17.

[0028] Next, a wound 32 is made on the back of the bird 30 near the tail 14, and a wire is inserted through the wound 32 into the compound sacrum 19 to destroy the spinal cord 21 inside the compound sacrum 19 (particularly inside the lumbar vertebrae) with the wire. The wire may be moved back and forth along the compound sacrum 19. It is desirable to destroy two or more, preferably three or more, and more preferably four or more, spinal cords 21 in the lumbar vertebrae. Because the spinal cords 21 inside the compound sacrum 19 are destroyed, the effect of rigor mortis, which reduces water retention, on the biceps femoris muscle stored with the compound sacrum 19 attached can be reduced.

[0029] Preferably, the wire is advanced along the composite sacrum 19, and the spinal cord 21 inside the vertebral column 16 is further destroyed along the thoracic vertebrae 18. The wire may also be run back and forth along the thoracic vertebrae 18. The spinal cord 21 inside the cervical vertebrae 17 may also be further destroyed. This reduces the effects of rigor mortis on the superficial and deep pectoral muscles, which are stored with the thoracic vertebrae 18 attached, as it reduces their water retention.

[0030] A third embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 3. The first and second embodiments described the case in which the spinal cord 21 located inside at least one of the thoracic vertebrae 18 and the composite sacrum 19 is destroyed. The third embodiment describes a method for producing bird meat 40 in which the brain 41 located inside the skull 15 is destroyed. In the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for the same parts as described in the first embodiment, and the description of the same parts is omitted.

[0031] First, a tensile force is applied to the neck 12 of the bird 40 to stretch it. One example of a method for applying a tensile force to the neck 12 is to support the base of the head 11, suspend the neck 12 and body 13, and use gravity acting on the body 13 to stretch the neck 12 relative to the body 13. Alternatively, while the bird 40 is suspended or lying on a stand (not shown), a tensile force may be mechanically applied between the base of the head 11 and the body 13 to stretch the neck 12 relative to the body 13.

[0032] After extending the neck 12 of the bird 10, a rigid body (not shown), such as a rod or tube harder than the skull 15, is inserted into the head 11, penetrating the skull 15 and mechanically destroying the medulla oblongata (part of the brain 41) with the rigid body. The destruction of the medulla oblongata causes the bird 40 to die instantly. Instant death reduces the energy expenditure of the bird 10 as it dies, thus reducing ATP consumption. Furthermore, the commands from the brain 41 to contract the skeletal muscles are eliminated, further reducing ATP consumption after death.

[0033] When a rigid body pierces the head 11 of a bird 40, a wound 42 is created in the bird 40 that runs from the surface of the head 11 to the medulla oblongata of the brain 41. Since the spinal cord 21 is connected to the medulla oblongata (part of the brain 41), a wire (not shown) is inserted through the wound 42 and guided through the brain 41 to the spinal cord 21. Normally, the wire is inserted into the wound 42 after the rigid body that pierced it is removed, but if the rigid body is a tube, the wire may be inserted through the tube while the rigid body (tube) is still pierced in the wound 42.

[0034] If the neck 12 of the bird 40 is not sufficiently extended at this time, the wire may not be able to bend along the curve of the spine 16, and the wire may protrude from the curve of the spine 16. If the wire protrudes, it may damage the muscles around the spine 16, or it may not be able to destroy the spinal cord 21 beyond where the wire protrudes. Because the neck 12 of the bird 40 is extended, the spine 16 is extended, making it easier for the wire to advance along the spine 16, and increasing the length over which the spinal cord 21 is destroyed.

[0035] Since the bird 40 has its brain 41 and at least a portion of its spinal cord 21 destroyed, the consumption of ATP by the brain 41 and spinal cord 21 after death can be reduced. In particular, in this embodiment, since the spinal cord 21 in the cervical vertebrae 17, thoracic vertebrae 18 and complex sacrum 19, as well as the brain 41, are destroyed, ATP consumption can be further reduced.

[0036] After destroying the spinal cord 21 of the bird 40, it is certainly possible to drain the blood. Drainage can be performed through the wound 42, or by severing the carotid artery. [Examples]

[0037] The present invention will be described in more detail by reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0038] (sample) An 8-week-old female Aigamo (Cherry Valley breed) was supported at the base of its head, suspended by its neck and body, and slaughtered by destroying its brain while using gravity to stretch its neck. The spinal cord was then destroyed along its entire length, and the carotid artery was severed to drain the blood. After feather removal, the carcass (with bones still attached) was stored at 1°C for 3 days after slaughter, and the superficial pectoralis muscle was removed and used as the sample in Example 1.

[0039] The sample for Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the carcass was stored at 1°C for 10 days after slaughter.

[0040] Samples for Comparative Example 1 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the brains of 8-week-old female Aigamo (Cherry Valley breed) raised in the same environment as in Example were destroyed and the spinal cords were preserved.

[0041] The sample for Comparative Example 2 was obtained in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1, except that the carcass was stored at 1°C for 10 days after slaughter.

[0042] (Measurement of K value) 5g samples were taken from each sample, extracted with 5% perchloric acid, filtered, and the filtrate was neutralized with potassium hydroxide solution and diluted as appropriate. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenylic acid (AMP), inosinic acid (IMP), inosine (HxR), and hypoxanthine (Hx) contained in the filtrate were quantitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The K value (%) was calculated by substituting the results of the quantitative analysis into the formula K value (%) = (HxR + Hx) / (ATP + ADP + AMP + IMP + HxR + Hx).

[0043] The conditions for high-performance liquid chromatography are as follows: Chromatograph: LC-40D (Shimadzu Corporation), Detector: UV-Vis spectrophotometer SPD-40 (Shimadzu Corporation), Column: CAPCELL PAK ADME-HR φ4.6mm × 250mm (Osaka Soda Co., Ltd.), Column temperature: 40℃, Mobile phase: 0.05 mol / L phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), Flow rate: 0.7 mL / min, Measurement wavelength: 260 nm.

[0044] (Hardness measurement) A creep meter (RE2-33005C, Yamaden Co., Ltd.) was used, and a cylindrical plunger with a diameter of 5 mm was attached. The sample was placed on a sample stage at room temperature, and the plunger was pressed against the sample in the thickness direction at a speed of 1 mm / second. The maximum force (load) pushing back the plunger when it had penetrated 15 mm into the sample was measured. The position where the plunger was pressed against the sample was randomly changed, and the load was measured 10 times. The sample used was shaped to a size of 10 cm in length, 5 cm in width, and 3 cm in thickness, aligned with the direction of muscle fibers. Table 1 shows the average of 10 measurements of the K value (%), inosinic acid (IMP) amount (mg / 100g), and load (N) for the samples in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2.

[0045] [Table 1]

[0046] According to Table 1, similar to the comparative example, the K value in the examples also increased with increasing storage time of the carcasses. However, the K value in the examples was lower than that of the comparative example. It was revealed that the examples in which the spinal cord was destroyed had a lower ratio of inosine and hypoxanthine to the total amount of ATP degradation products compared to the comparative example, and thus were more likely to maintain freshness.

[0047] Inosinic acid (IMP), a component of umami, is produced when ATP is broken down by enzymes in muscle tissue, via ADP and AMP. The amount of IMP in the example was higher than in the comparative example. This is presumed to be because the example maintained freshness better and ATP consumption by the spinal cord was reduced. Because the example has a higher amount of IMP, it is presumed that the meat tastes better than the comparative example.

[0048] In general, the muscles of birds become stiff and hardest about two hours after slaughter, and then the hardness gradually decreases as the muscles soften due to de-rigorization. In the comparative example, the load (hardness) tended to decrease as the storage time increased. On the other hand, the hardness of the example remained almost constant even after prolonged storage. Since the example maintains its hardness, it is presumed to have a better texture, which is a physical aspect of deliciousness, compared to the comparative example.

[0049] In the example, when a plunger was pressed to a depth of 15 mm at a speed of 1 mm / second onto a sample with a K value of 57% or less, the average of 10 measured values ​​for the maximum load was 10.0 N or higher. According to the example, since the load (hardness) of a fresh sample with a K value of 57% or less is 10.0 N or higher (especially 13.0 N or lower), it became clear that meat with a better texture could be obtained compared to the comparative example.

[0050] Although the present invention has been described above based on embodiments, it can be easily inferred that the present invention is not limited in any way to the above embodiments, and that various improvements and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0051] In this embodiment, the results of measuring the K value and hardness using the breast meat (superficial pectoralis muscle) of a domestic duck were described, but this is just one example and is not limited to the superficial pectoralis muscle of ducks, including domestic ducks, mallards, and other types of ducks. Examples of other parts include thigh meat (biceps femoris muscle), tenderloin (deep pectoralis muscle), and wings. Examples of other species include chickens, ostriches, guinea fowl, turkeys, pigeons, quail, and pheasants.

[0052] In the embodiment, the load was measured when a plunger was pressed against a sample with a K value of 57% or less at a speed of 1 mm / second, and the case where the average of 10 measured values ​​was 10.0 N or more was described. This relationship is suitable for samples with a K value of 10% or more, especially samples with a K value of 20% or more, even more so for samples with a K value of 30% or more, and more preferably for samples with a K value of 40% or more. The reason is that the muscles of birds around 2 hours after slaughter generally have a K value of less than 10%, and are also hardest due to rigor mortis, so the meat at this time should be excluded.

[0053] In the first and second embodiments, the case of destroying the spinal cord 21 from the torso 13 of birds 10 and 30 was described, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. Muscles near the tail 14 are damaged, but it is certainly possible to destroy the spinal cord 21 by making an injury that reaches the spinal cord 21 from near the tail 14.

[0054] In the third embodiment, a case was described in which the brain 41 of the bird 40 is destroyed and then the spinal cord 21 is destroyed along the vertebral column 16, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. After destroying the brain 41 of the bird 40, the carotid artery may be severed to cause blood loss without destroying the spinal cord 21. Alternatively, after destroying the brain 41 of the bird 40, only the spinal cord 21 inside the cervical vertebrae 17 may be destroyed, or wounds 23, 31 (see Figures 1 and 2) may be made in the bird 40 and the spinal cord 21 may be destroyed along the vertebral column 16 as in the first and second embodiments. Or, after destroying the brain 41 of the bird 40, a wound may be made from near the tail 14 to reach the spinal cord 21 and then the spinal cord 21 may be destroyed along the vertebral column 16.

[0055] In the embodiment, the case in which the spinal cord 21 is destroyed using a wire was described, but this is not necessarily the only method. Any tool that can destroy the spinal cord 21 can be used in place of the wire. Other examples of tools include water guns and air cannons. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 10,30,40 Birds 14 tails 15 skull 16 Spinal column 18 Thoracic vertebrae 19. Compound sacrum 21 Spinal cord 22 nerves 41 Brain

Claims

1. The flesh of a featherless bird, comprising a skull with a destroyed brain, at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and compound sacrum with a destroyed spinal cord.

2. The meat according to claim 1, wherein the brain and at least a portion of the spinal cord are destroyed.

3. The meat according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nerves extending from the spinal cord toward the tail are further destroyed.

4. A method of producing meat that destroys the brain located inside the skull of birds.

5. A method for producing meat according to claim 4, wherein, after destroying the brain, the spinal cord located inside the spinal column is destroyed along the spinal column.

6. A method for producing meat in which the spinal cord, located within at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and compound sacrum of a bird, is destroyed along the vertebral column.

7. A method for producing meat according to claim 6, wherein the carotid artery of the bird is severed, and then the spinal cord is destroyed.

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