Poultry meat and its production method

Abstract

To provide poultry meat that can reduce the effects of rigor mortis and a method for producing the same. [Solution] The bird meat is in a deflated state, and includes a skull with the brain present inside destroyed, and at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum complex with the spinal cord present inside destroyed. More preferably, the brain and at least a part of the spinal cord are destroyed. The meat production method involves destroying the brain present inside the skull, or destroying the spinal cord present inside at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum complex of the bird along the spinal column.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to poultry meat and methods for producing same. [Background technology]

[0002] Birds are slaughtered, butchered, and processed for meat production. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which, after slaughtering the bird, an electric current is passed through the bird, rendering it unconscious and causing its muscles to convulse, resulting in blood loss. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which, for humane slaughter, the cervical vertebrae of the bird are instantly dislocated, rendering it unconscious. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4540075 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2010 / 0105305 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, after slaughter, the muscles of birds contract and undergo rigor mortis, which reaches its peak about two hours after slaughter. After a few hours, the muscles undergo ripening and thawing, softening the meat before it can be eaten. Rigor mortis not only makes the meat tougher, but also reduces its water retention, significantly affecting the quality of the meat after thawing. Therefore, there is a demand for technology to reduce the effects of rigor mortis.

[0005] The present invention has been made to meet this demand, and has as its object to provide poultry meat that can reduce the effects of rigor mortis and a method for producing the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A first aspect for achieving this object is the meat of a bird, which has been defoliated and comprises at least one of a skull with the brain present therein destroyed, a thoracic vertebrae with the spinal cord present therein destroyed, and a sacrum complex.

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

[0008] In a third embodiment, in the first or second embodiment, the nerves extending from the spinal cord toward the tail are further destroyed.

[0009] A fourth embodiment is a method for producing meat by destroying the brain present inside the bird's skull.

[0010] In the fifth embodiment, after destroying the brain in the fourth embodiment, the spinal cord present inside the spinal column is destroyed along the spinal column.

[0011] A sixth embodiment is a method for producing meat, in which the spinal cord present within at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and the sacral complex of a bird is destroyed along the spinal column.

[0012] In a seventh embodiment, in the sixth embodiment, the carotid artery of the bird is cut and then the spinal cord is destroyed. [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 even after death. However, birds have at least one of the spinal cord and brain, which issues commands to contract skeletal muscles and are located within at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and sacral complexes near the muscles (breast meat, thigh meat, etc.), destroyed. This reduces the amount of ATP consumed by the spinal cord and brain in breast meat, thigh meat, etc., compared to the prior art of Patent Document 2, in which the cervical spinal cord is severed. This reduces the effects of rigor mortis, further preserving freshness and ensuring firmness of the meat, improving texture. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bird in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a bird in the second embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a bird in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0016] Bird 10 has a head 11, neck 12, body 13, and tail 14, and includes, in order from head 11 to tail 14, skull 15 and vertebral column 16. Vertebral column (spinal cord) 16 includes, in order from neck 12 to tail 14, cervical vertebrae 17, thoracic vertebrae 18, compound sacrum 19, and caudal vertebrae 20. Compound sacrum 19 includes, in order, the most recent thoracic vertebrae 18, the lumbar vertebrae, the sacral vertebrae, and the anterior part of the caudal vertebrae 20, which are fused together. When bird 10 is young, bone fusion has not progressed sufficiently, and so compound sacrum 19 also includes bones that are not fully fused.

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

[0018] The skull 15 protects the brain 41 (see Figure 3), and the cervical vertebrae 17, thoracic vertebrae 18, and sacral complex 19 protect the spinal cord 21. The medulla oblongata of the brain 41 is connected to the spinal cord 21. The medulla oblongata is part of the brain 41 and is a nerve essential for breathing and heartbeat. The brain 41 and spinal cord 21 issue commands to contract skeletal muscles, and these commands are transmitted to the muscles by motor nerves. Nerves 22, which extend from the spinal cord 21 toward the tail 14, are located inside the sacral complex 19. Nerves 22 are the pathways through which nerve signals travel to and from the legs.

[0019] Birds 10 include poultry and wild birds such as chickens, ostriches, guinea fowl, turkeys, pigeons, ducks (including mallards, ducks, and Aigamo ducks), quails, pheasants, etc. Examples of meat from birds 10 include thigh meat (biceps femoris), breast meat (superficial pectoral muscle), chicken fillet (deep pectoral muscle), and chicken wings, but there are no restrictions as long as it is for consumption.

[0020] Meat is produced through processes such as slaughtering, feather removal, and gutting (removal of organs) of birds10. Chefs or consumers can deboning and butchering slaughtered birds and separate them into thighs, breasts, chicken fillets, and wings, or meat producers can deboning and butcher the birds, separate the meat into parts, and then hand the meat over to chefs or consumers. The internal organs (liver, heart, etc.) that are separated from the meat can also be eaten.

[0021] To slaughter a bird 10, first, the carotid artery passing through the neck 12 of the bird 10 is cut. Of course, it is possible to drain blood from the carotid artery. When cutting the carotid artery, the cervical vertebrae 17 may also be cut to separate the head 11 from the body 13, or a part of the neck 12 may be left connected. Even when cutting the carotid artery and leaving a part of the neck 12 connected, the cervical vertebrae 17 are cut. The cervical vertebrae 17 may be cut at the same position as the carotid artery is cut, or may be cut at a position different from the position where the carotid artery is cut. In this embodiment, after cutting the carotid artery passing through the neck 12, the spinal column 16 is cut at an incision 23 made at the boundary between the cervical vertebrae 17 and the thoracic vertebrae 18 (a position different from the position where the carotid artery was cut), and the head 11 is separated from the body 13.

[0022] A wire (not shown) is inserted into the thoracic vertebrae 18 from the cut surface of the spinal column 16 exposed by the incision 23, and the spinal cord 21 inside the thoracic vertebrae 18 is mechanically destroyed. The wire has flexibility to bend along the spinal column 16 and mechanical strength to enter through the incision 23 and advance through the spinal column 16 to destroy the spinal cord 21. The wire can also be moved back and forth along the thoracic vertebrae 18 to destroy the spinal cord 21. It is desirable to destroy two or more, preferably three or more, and more preferably four or more spinal cords 21 in the thoracic vertebrae 18.

[0023] The spinal cord 21 continues to consume ATP after the death of the bird 10, but because the entire spinal cord 21 inside the thoracic vertebrae 18 of the bird 10 is destroyed, or a large portion of the spinal cord 21 inside the thoracic vertebrae 18 is destroyed, the consumption of ATP by the spinal cord 21 after the death of the bird 10 can be reduced. This can delay rigor mortis and reduce the effects of rigor mortis, which reduces water retention, for the superficial and deep pectoral muscles stored with the thoracic vertebrae 18 attached. Therefore, by storing the birds 10 in an appropriate state after slaughter, juicy and delicious meat (such as breast meat or chicken fillet) can be provided.

[0024] It is preferable to advance the wire along the thoracic vertebrae 18 and further destroy the spinal cord 21 inside the vertebral column 16 along the compound sacrum 19. This is because it is possible to reduce ATP consumption by the spinal cord 21 inside the compound sacrum 19 after the bird 10 dies. The wire may also be moved back and forth along the compound sacrum 19. This reduces the effect of rigor mortis, which reduces water retention, on the biceps femoris muscle that is preserved with the compound sacrum 19 attached.

[0025] It is preferable that the wire reach the nerve 22 extending from the spinal cord 21 to the tail 14 of the bird 10, destroying the nerve 22. This is because the nerve 22 is the pathway for nerve signals to travel to and from the legs, and destroying the nerve 22 reduces the breakdown of ATP caused by the extension and contraction of the legs. This further reduces the effects of rigor mortis.

[0026] A second embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 2. In the first embodiment, a method for destroying the spinal cord 21 inside the thoracic vertebrae 18, starting from the boundary between the cervical vertebrae 17 and the thoracic vertebrae 18, will be described. In the second embodiment, a method for producing meat from birds 30 will be described, in which the spinal cord 21 inside the sacrum complex 19 is first destroyed. In the second embodiment, the same parts as those described in the first embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and description of these same parts will be omitted.

[0027] 2 is a schematic diagram of a bird 30 in the second embodiment. To slaughter the bird 30, first, an incision 31 is made in the neck 12 of the bird 30 to cut 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 connected to the body 13 via the neck 12 with the incision 31 without cutting the cervical vertebrae 17.

[0028] Next, an incision 32 is made on the back of the bird 30 near the tail 14, and a wire is inserted from the incision 32 into the inside of the compound sacrum 19, destroying 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 the spinal cord 21 of two or more, preferably three or more, and more preferably four or more lumbar vertebrae. Because the spinal cord 21 inside the compound sacrum 19 is destroyed, the effects of rigor mortis, which reduces the water retention capacity of the biceps femoris muscle that is stored with the compound sacrum 19 attached, can be reduced.

[0029] It is preferable to advance the wire along the sacral complex 19 and further destroy the spinal cord 21 inside the spinal column 16 along the thoracic vertebrae 18. The wire may also be moved 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, which reduces the water retention of the superficial and deep pectoral muscles stored with the thoracic vertebrae 18 attached.

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

[0031] First, a pulling force is applied to the neck 12 of the bird 40 to stretch the neck 12. An example of a means for applying a pulling 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 pulling 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] birds 40 After stretching the neck 12 of the bird, a rigid body (not shown) such as a rod or tube that is harder than the skull 15 is stabbed into the head 11, and the rigid body penetrates the skull 15, mechanically destroying the medulla oblongata (part of the brain 41). The destruction of the medulla oblongata causes the bird 40 to die instantly. 40 This reduces the energy consumption during death, thereby reducing ATP consumption. Furthermore, the absence of commands from the brain 41 to contract skeletal muscles reduces ATP consumption after death.

[0033] By piercing the head 11 of the bird 40, a wound 42 is created in the bird 40, which runs from the surface of the head 11 to the medulla oblongata of the brain 41. Because 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 passes through the brain 41 to reach the spinal cord 21. Usually, the wire is inserted into the wound 42 after the rigid body inserted into the wound 42 is removed, but if the rigid body is a tube, the wire may be inserted through the tube while the rigid body (tube) remains inserted into the wound 42.

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

[0035] In the bird 40, the brain 41 and at least a part of the spinal cord 21 are destroyed, which reduces the consumption of ATP by the brain 41 and spinal cord 21 after death. In particular, in this embodiment, the spinal cord 21 in the cervical vertebrae 17, thoracic vertebrae 18, and sacral complex 19, and the brain 41 are destroyed, which further reduces the consumption of ATP.

[0036] After the spinal cord 21 of the bird 40 is destroyed, it is of course possible to exsanguinate the bird 40. The exsanguination may be performed through a wound 42 or by cutting the carotid artery. [Example]

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

[0038] (sample) Eight-week-old female Aigamo ducks (Cherry Valley breed) were slaughtered by supporting the base of the head, suspending the neck and torso, and using gravity to extend the neck, destroying the brain. The spinal cord was then destroyed along its entire length, and the carotid artery was severed to allow bleeding. After the feathers were removed, the carcass (with the bones attached) was stored at 1°C for three days after slaughter, and the superficial pectoral muscle was removed and used as the sample in Example 1.

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

[0040] A sample in Comparative Example 1 was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that 8-week-old female Aigamo ducks (Cherry Valley breed) kept in the same environment as in the Example were sacrificed by destroying the brain and preserving the spinal cord.

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

[0042] (K value measurement) Five grams of each sample was extracted with 5% perchloric acid, filtered, and the filtrate was neutralized with potassium hydroxide solution and diluted appropriately. The filtrate was quantitatively analyzed for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenylic acid (AMP), inosinic acid (IMP), inosine (HxR), and hypoxanthine (Hx) 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 were as follows: chromatograph: LC-40D (Shimadzu Corporation), detector: UV-visible spectrophotometer SPD-40 (Shimadzu Corporation), column: CAPCELL PAK ADME-HR φ4.6 mm × 250 mm (Osaka Soda Co., Ltd.), column temperature: 40°C, mobile phase: 0.05 mol / L phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), flow rate: 0.7 mL / min, measurement wavelength: 260 nm.

[0044] (Hardness measurement) Using a creep meter (RE2-33005C, Yamaden Corporation), 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 in the thickness direction of the sample at a rate of 1 mm / s. The maximum force (load) pushing back the plunger when the plunger penetrated 15 mm into the sample was measured. The load was measured 10 times, randomly changing the position at which the plunger was pressed against the sample. The samples were shaped along the muscle fiber direction to a size of 10 cm length, 5 cm width, and 3 cm thickness. The K value (%), inosinic acid (IMP) content (mg / 100 g), and load (N) averaged over 10 measurements for the samples in Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 are shown in Table 1.

[0045] [Table 1]

[0046] According to Table 1, as with the Comparative Example, the K value of the Examples also increased as the storage time of the carcass increased. However, the K value of the Examples was smaller than that of the Comparative Example. The Examples in which the spinal cord was destroyed had a smaller ratio of inosine and hypoxanthine to the total amount of ATP degradation products than the Comparative Example, making it clear that freshness is more easily maintained.

[0047] Inosinic acid (IMP), an umami component, is produced when ATP is broken down by enzymes in the muscle, via ADP and AMP. The amount of IMP in the Examples was greater than in the Comparative Examples. This is presumably due to the fact that the Examples are easier to maintain freshness and also reduce ATP consumption by the spinal cord. As the Examples contain more IMP, it is presumed that the meat tastes better than the Comparative Examples.

[0048] In general, the muscles of birds become stiffest and hardest about two hours after slaughter, after which the muscles soften due to thawing, and the hardness gradually decreases. In the Comparative Example, the load (hardness) tended to decrease as the storage time increased. On the other hand, in the Example, the hardness remained almost constant even with the storage time increased. Since the Example maintained its hardness, it is estimated that the texture, which is a physical measure of palatability, is better than the Comparative Example.

[0049] In the Examples, when samples with a K value of 57% or less were subjected to a plunger pressing to a depth of 15 mm at a speed of 1 mm / sec, the average of 10 measurements was 10.0 N or more. According to the Examples, it was clear that fresh samples with a K value of 57% or less had a load (hardness) of 10.0 N or more (especially 13.0 N or less), and therefore meat with a better texture than the Comparative Examples could be obtained.

[0050] The present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it can be easily inferred that various improvements and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0051] In the embodiment, the results of measuring the K value and hardness using the breast meat (superficial pectoral muscle) of aigamo duck were described, but this is just one example, and the method is not limited to the superficial pectoral muscle of ducks, including aigamo duck, wild duck, and mallard. Examples of parts other than the superficial pectoral muscle include thigh meat (biceps femoris), chicken fillet (deep pectoral muscle), and chicken wings. Examples of species other than duck include chicken, ostrich, guinea fowl, turkey, pigeon, quail, and pheasant.

[0052] In the embodiment, the load was measured when a plunger was pressed at a speed of 1 mm / sec onto a sample with a K value of 57% or less, and the average of 10 measurements was 10.0 N or more. This relationship is suitable for samples with a K value of 10% or more, particularly samples with a K value of 20% or more, even more preferably samples with a K value of 30% or more, and more preferably samples with a K value of 40% or more. This is because the muscle of birds approximately two hours after slaughter generally has a K value of less than 10% and is at its hardest due to rigor mortis, so meat from this time is removed.

[0053] In the first and second embodiments, the spinal cord 21 is destroyed from the trunk 13 of the bird 10, 30, but this is not necessarily limited to this. Although the muscles near the tail 14 are damaged, it is of course 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, the case where the brain 41 of the bird 40 is destroyed and then the spinal cord 21 is destroyed along the spinal column 16 has been described, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this. After the brain 41 of the bird 40 is destroyed, the carotid artery may be cut 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 incisions 23, 31 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) may be made in the bird 40 and then the spinal cord 21 may be destroyed along the spinal column 16 as in the first and second embodiments. Alternatively, after destroying the brain 41 of the bird 40, an incision may be made from near the tail 14 to reach the spinal cord 21, destroying the spinal cord 21 along the spinal column 16.

[0055] In the embodiment, the case where the spinal cord 21 is destroyed using a wire has been described, but this is not necessarily limited to this. Any tool that can destroy the spinal cord 21 can be used instead of the wire. Examples of other tools include a water gun and an air gun. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10,30,40 Birds 14 tails 15 skull 16 Spinal column 18 Thoracic vertebrae 19 Sacral complex 21 Spinal Cord 22 Nerves 41 Brain

Claims

1. Meat of birds that have been defoliated and that comprise a skull with the brain destroyed and cervical vertebrae with the spinal cord destroyed (excluding those in which the spinal cord inside the thoracic vertebrae is destroyed in addition to the spinal cord inside the cervical vertebrae).

2. Meat of a bird that has been defoliated and that has at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and the sacrum complex with the spinal cord inside destroyed (excluding those in which the spinal cord inside the cervical vertebrae is destroyed in addition to the spinal cord inside the thoracic vertebrae).

3. 3. The poultry meat according to claim 2, wherein the spinal cord present inside the thoracic vertebrae and the sacral complex is destroyed.

4. 4. The meat according to claim 1, wherein the nerves extending from the spinal cord to the tail are further destroyed.

5. A method for producing meat in which the brain present inside the skull of a bird is destroyed, and then the spinal cord present inside the vertebral column is destroyed along the vertebral column (excluding those that destroy the spinal cord present inside the cervical vertebrae and the spinal cord present inside the thoracic vertebrae).

6. A method for producing meat, which involves destroying the spinal cord present inside at least one of the thoracic vertebrae and the sacral complex of a bird along the spinal column (excluding methods which destroy the spinal cord present inside the cervical vertebrae in addition to the spinal cord present inside the thoracic vertebrae).

7. 7. The method for producing meat according to claim 6, wherein the spinal cord of the bird is destroyed after the carotid artery is cut.

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