• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.30 no.6 s.113
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• pp.340-346
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• 2005

Major quality features of the beef carcass in most countries including Korea are size, marbling state of the lean tissue, color of the fat and lean tissue, and thickness of back fat of the 13th rib. To evaluate the beef quality, extracting loin parts from the sectional image of the 13th beef rib is crucial and is the first step. However, because of the inhomogeneous distribution and fuzzy pattern of the fat and lean tissues on the beef cut, it is difficult to extract automatically the proper contour of the lean tissue. In this paper, a prototype mobile beef quality measurement system, which can be implemented practically at the beef processing site was developed. The developed system was composed of the hand held image acquisition unit and mobile processing unit mounted with touch-pad screen. Algorithms to extract the boundary of the lean tissue and a proper tool to evaluate the marbling status have been developed using color image processing. The boundary extraction algorithm showed successful results for the beef cuts with simple and moderate patterns of the lean tissue and fat. However, it had some difficulty in eliminating complex pattern of the extraneous tissues adhered to the lean tissue in the boundary extraction. The developed algorithms were implemented to the prototype mobile processing unit.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.924-937
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the meat metabolite profiles related to differences in beef quality attributes (i.e., high-marbled and low-marbled groups) using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The beef of different marbling scores showed significant differences in water content and fat content. High-marbled meat had mainly higher taste compounds than low-marbled meat. Metabolite analysis showed differences between two marbling groups based on partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). Metabolites identified by PLS-DA, such as N,N-dimethylglycine, creatine, lactate, carnosine, carnitine, sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, betaine, glycine, glucose, alanine, tryptophan, methionine, taurine, tyrosine, could be directly linked to marbling groups. Metabolites from variable importance in projection plots were identified and estimated high sensitivity as candidate markers for beef quality attributes. These potential markers were involved in beef taste-related pathways including carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism. Among these metabolites, carnosine, creatine, glucose, and lactate had significantly higher in high-marbled meat compared to low-marbled meat (p<0.05). Therefore, these results will provide an important understanding of the roles of taste-related metabolites in beef quality attributes. Our findings suggest that metabolomics analysis of taste compounds and meat quality may be a powerful method for the discovery of novel biomarkers underlying the quality of beef products.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.661-669
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• 2011

By direct sequencing of 12 STS marker, we identified 10 polymorphic SNPs. As a result of genotype frequency analysis between 10 polymorphic SNPs and extreme population (n=20) for marbling score in Hanwoo (n=233), there was over 40 percent of frequency difference of HWSNP_1-1 and HWSNP_9-4 SNP. HWSNP_1-1 SNP was significantly associated with marbling score in large-scale population (n=233). Therefore we suggested that HWSNP_1-1 SNP can be useful as a positional candidate for beef quality for marker-assisted selection in Hanwoo.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.375-383
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of sex, environmental factors, and feeding system on the carcass traits of Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle). Data were collected from 7,866 heads slaughtered in Chungnam province during one-year period. Using the collected carcass traits data which greatly influence a Hanwoo's carcass grade, the effects of sex class, slaughter season, and feeding system were estimated. Backfat thickness of steers was significantly higher than that of bulls (p < 0.05). Marbling score was also the highest in steers when compared with cows and bulls (p < 0.05). Live weight and carcass weight were significantly higher in winter than in summer (p < 0.05). However, backfat thickness was significantly lower in summer than in other seasons (p < 0.05). Marbling score was higher in spring and fall than in summer and winter (p < 0.05). In terms of feeding systems, TMR (Total mixed ration) and TMF (Total mixed fermentation feed) fed groups showed the highest carcass grade (p < 0.05). However, the group fed TMR and formula feed at the final fattening period showed the lowest performance (p < 0.05) and it is assumed that some stress was associated to the feed change. The results reconfirm that castration may be recommended in order to improve meat quality and marbling scores in bulls. There was no consistent trend of seasonal effects of slaughter on carcass traits although some traits were significantly affected. Regarding the feeding system, either TMR or TMF can be supplied to achieve high feed efficiency and good carcass characteristics in Hanwoo.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.529-534
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• 2009

Marbling score (MS) is the major trait that affects carcass quality in beef cattle. In this study, we investigated the association between genetic polymorphisms of the adipose differentiation-related protein gene (ADFP) and carcass traits in Korean cattle (also known as Hanwoo). Using direct DNA sequencing in 24 unrelated Korean cattle, 25 novel polymorphisms were identified within all exons and their flanking regions of ADFP, including the promoter region (1.5 kb). Among them, 21 polymorphic sites were selected for genotyping in the beef cattle (n = 425). Statistical analyses revealed that one promoter polymorphism (c.-56-18A > G) was associated with MS (P = 0.009). The 'A' allele of c.-56-18A > G exerted a lowering effect on MS, e.g., the lowest MS was found in 'A/A' (MS = 2.09 ${\pm}$ 1.23), intermediate in 'A/G' (MS = 2.11 ${\pm}$ 1.31), and the highest in 'G/G' (MS = 2.47 ${\pm}$ 1.47). Our findings suggest that these polymorphisms in ADFP might be important genetic factors involved in carcass quality in beef cattle.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.461-469
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to analyze the contribution of carcass traits (backfat thickness, eye muscle area, carcass weight and marbling score) and the season at slaughter to the price (auction and market) using squared semi-partial correlation. The season at slaughter (summer expressed as season_2, autumn as season_3, and winter as season_4) were added into the estimation as dummy variables, and spring was set as a default variable. In this study, the carcass grades of 22,298 Hanwoo steers slaughtered from 2012 to 2017 were used to performmultiple regression analysis. The rankings of the contribution of the carcass traits and the seasons at slaughter to the auction prices were in the order of marbling score (68.63%), season_4 (11.88%), backfat thickness (10.45%), eye muscle area (6.11%), season_3 (2.19%), season_2 (0.45%) and carcass weight (0.28%). (R-square of the regression = 0.4101). The rankings of the contribution to the total prices were in the order of carcass weight (51.74%), marbling score (32.12%), season_4 (6.04%), backfat thickness (5.54%), eye muscle area (3.22%), season_3 (1.14%), and season_2 (0.19%). (R-Square of the regression = 0.6486). As a result, season_3 and season_4 had a negative effect on the auction price and total price. Because of seasonal event such as Korean Thanksgiving Day and Korean New Year's Day on season_3 and season_4, much supply was needed to meet the high demand. Thus, the seasonal effect at slaughter could be another factor to be cosideredin when considering of slaughter or breeding.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.388-401
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of the total digestible nutrients (TDN) level of commercial concentrates on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat composition of late fattening Hanwoo steers. A total of 28 steers were randomly assigned to one of four dietary groups; T1 (73.30% TDN), T2 (74.50% TDN), T3 (76.40% TDN), and T4 (77.10% TDN). Average daily gain (ADG) was slightly but not significantly higher in the T2 than in the other treatments. Dry matter intake (DMI) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were higher in the T2 than in the other treatments; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Carcass back fat thickness was thicker in the T4 and marbling score was higher in the T2 than in the other treatments; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The TDN level of concentrates had no effect on the physicochemical characteristics and fatty acid composition of the longissimus muscle. The finding of this study indicate that less than 74% or greater than 75% TDN in the commercial concentrate did not contribute to improve ADG, FCR, marbling score; therefore, in the present study, the recommendable TDN level in the commercial concentrate for late fattening period was 74% to 75% in terms of growth performance and marbling score of Hanwoo steer.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.387-396
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• 2021

This study was conducted to provide basic data for efficient Hanwoo beef production by conducting a comparison of growth performance, blood metabolites, testosterone, and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo according to complete and hemi-castration. Twelve Hanwoo calves were allotted to two treatment groups as follows: CC = complete-castration and HC = hemi-castration method of removing only one testicle. At the end of the test, the body weight was 66 kg higher in HC than in CC, and the average daily gain increased by 12.6% (p < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio was significantly improved in HC compared to CC (p < 0.05). Serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in CC than HC in both the growing and fattening periods (p < 0.05), and serum testosterone concentrations before castration were similar between HC and CC, but steadily increasing in HC after castration. Back fat thickness and marbling score were significantly higher in CC than HC in the entire period (p < 0.01). In the results of this study, hemi-castration can improve body weight gain and feed conversion ratio due to the influence of male hormones compared to complete castration, but it is considered that there will be difficulties in producing high-quality meat with a high marbling score.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.531-539
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• 2023

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of quality grade (QG), and back-fat thickness on the carcass traits and meat quality properties of Hanwoo steers. Fifty carcasses were sorted into two QG (QG 1+ and 1) and three back-fat thickness (<10 mm, 10 to 19 mm and ≥19 mm) groups. After investigating the carcass traits (rib eye, back-fat thickness, weight, color, yield index, maturity, marbling score, and texture), the longissimus lumborum muscles from the carcass groups were collected and analyzed for meat quality (pH, color, cooking loss, and moisture), texture profiles [Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and tensile tests], and fatty acid. Results showed that marbling score (p<0.001), moisture (p<0.05) and tensile tests values (p<0.05) had a significant differences between QG1+ and QG1. No differences in pH, color traits, cooking loss and WBSF values occurred between the QG groups. Regarding the back-fat thickness effect, we observed that the carcass weight, yield index (p<0.001), yield grade (p<0.001) and marbling score (p<0.05) had a significant differences among the back-fat thickness groups. Regarding the meat quality, moisture content and WBSF values (p<0.01) among the back-fat thickness groups. The back-fat thickness did not affect the pH, color, cooking loss and tensile tests. The QG and back-fat thickness did not affect the fatty acids contents (p>0.05). It may be concluded that the carcass traits and meat quality were significantly affected the QG and back-fat thickness.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.913-918
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• 2005

The development of marbling in cattle is closely associated with an increase in adipocyte size and number within muscle. The adipose precursor cells have the capacity to differentiate into adipocytes within the muscle during the formation of marbling. In this studies, we established the cell culture system for differentiation of intramuscular preadipocyte isolated from the sirloin of Hanwoo aged 12 months. The intramuscular preadipocyte cells exhibited a fibroblastic appearance and differentiated into adipocytes by treating confluent cells with differentiation medium containing insulin, dexamethasone, and troglitazone. When intramuscular preadipocyte cells were differentiated at 18 day, the triglyceride concentration was higher than control cells. Moreover, the thiazolidinedione treatment increased adipogenesis. RT-PCR analysis confirmed the significant expression of PPARγ mRNA during adipocyte differentiation. In conclution, our culture system used in this study allowed intramuscular preadipocyte cells to differentiated into adipocytes and intramuscular preadipocyte cells may be useful in the further study of differentiation mechanism of adipocytes in Hanwoo.