Comparisons of Handling Practices of Culled Sheep Meat for Production of Mutton Curry

In most developing countries consumers purchase retail cuts from hot carcasses and prepare traditional meat products as per their convenience and requirements. In this study, effects of different post mortem handling practices on quality of meat curry from culled sheep meat have been studied. After slaughter, leg cuts were subjected to nine commonly prevalent handling conditions in India viz. deboning (boning out) and cooking within 2-3 h (1), deboning immediately and cooking after 5-6 h (2), deboning after 5-6 h and cooking (3), deboning immediately, storage at $4^{\circ}C$ for 24 h and cooking (4), chilling for 24 h at $4^{\circ}C$, deboning and cooking (5), deboning after 5-6 h, storage for 24 h at $4^{\circ}C$, and cooking (6), deboning after 5-6 h, storage for 48 h at 4??C and cooking (7), deboning after 5-6 h, freezing and cooking (8), deboning after 5-6 h, storage for 24 h at $4^{\circ}C$, freezing and cooking (9). Significant differences were observed in pH, water-holding capacity, cooking loss and shear force values. Sensory scores were significantly higher in conditions (1), (5) and (9), and significantly lower in conditions (4) and (6). From the results, it was concluded that, to have the best quality product, meat should be cooked either immediately after slaughter or should be deboned just before cooking. Storage of deboned meat at refrigerated temperature must be avoided.