WO2009032276A1

WO2009032276A1 - Meat tenderness using beta-agonists

Info

Publication number: WO2009032276A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/010369
Authority: WO
Inventors: David R. Mckenna
Original assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
Priority date: 2007-09-07
Filing date: 2008-09-04
Publication date: 2009-03-12

Abstract

A method of improving meat tenderness is discussed. The method includes administering at least one form of beta-agonist to at least one animal for a first period of time. The method also includes discontinuing administering the at least one beta-agonist to the at least one animal. Further, the method includes feeding the at least one animal for a second period a diet without administering the at least one beta-agonist. The second period of time is more than 5 days and is sufficient to cause regression in muscle growth in the at least one animal.

Description

MEAT TENDERNESS USING BETA-AGONISTS

BACKGROUND

[0001] The invention generally relates to systems and methods for improving the tenderness of meats. This is accomplished through the use and feeding of beta-agonists to the animal and providing an appropriate schedule for providing the beta-agonists and for slaughtering or harvesting the animal.

[0002] Conventionally, beta-adrenergic agonists (often referred to as beta-agonists) are a class of chemical compounds that stimulates beta-receptors in the autonomic nervous system. This stimulation of beta-receptors has the effect of promoting growth in animals when the beta-agonists are fed to the animals. Conventionally, this increased growth effect has led to decreased meat tenderness when the animals are slaughtered.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for a system and/or method in which beta-agonists may be used to increase tenderness of animal meat. There is also a need for a system and/or method in which growth is promoted in the animal and tenderness quality of the harvested meat is increased.

[0004] The techniques herein below extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentioned needs.

SUMMARY

[0005] In accordance with one aspect is a method of improving meat tenderness. The method includes administering at least one form of beta-agonist to least one animal for a first period of time. The method also includes discontinuing administering the at least one beta-agonist to the at least one animal. Further, the method includes feeding the at least one animal for a second period a diet without administering the at least one beta- agonist, the second period of time the second period of time being more than 5 days and being sufficient to cause regression in muscle growth in the at least one animal. [0006] In accordance with another aspect is a system for producing meat. The system includes a meat bearing animal. The system also includes animal feed. Further, the system includes a beta-agonist feed additive. Further still, the system includes a schedule for feeding the animal in which the animal is fed a diet including the animal feed and the beta-agonist during a first period of time and then the beta-agonist is substantially removed from the diet and the animal feed is fed to the animal during a second period of time substantially without the beta-agonist. The second period of time is sufficient to cause regression in muscle growth in the animal.

[0007] Further, in accordance with an aspect is a product. The product includes meat that is at least partially from a slaughtered animal. The animal is raised with a beta-agonist enhanced diet during a first time period of time and is fed a diet with substantially no beta- agonist during a second period of time, the second period of time being sufficient to cause regression in muscle growth in the animal.

[0008] Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments by way of example only, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exemplary process diagram of a feeding method for an animal;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exemplary process diagram of a feeding method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 is an exemplary process diagram of a feeding method in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; and

[0013] FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a feeding schedule. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Beta-adrenergic agonists (beta-agonists) are a class of compounds that promote growth when administered to animals. Such animals may include but are not limited to all bovine, porcine, equine, caprine, and ovine animals or any other animal slaughtered for food production including poultry and fish. Bovine animals may include but are not limited to buffalo and all cattle including steers, heifers, cows, and bulls. Porcine animals include but are not limited to feeder pigs and breeder pigs including sows, gilts, barrows, and boars. Ovine animals include but are not limited to sheep including ewes, rams, wethers, and lambs. Generally, beta-agonists increase growth by down-regulating protein breakdown and up-regulating protein accretion. Moreover, beta-agonists convert fat stores into energy that can be used to support muscle growth, hence, they are commonly referred to as repartitioning agents because they indirectly convert fat into muscle.

[0015] Some beta-agonists have been tested in animal production systems, however, many of these compounds have been banned by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) or declared unsuitable for use. In the past few years, two beta-agonists have been approved for commercial use in animal production systems by the FDA; ractopamine hydrochloride (sold under the tradenames Optaflexx or Paylean, e.g. and available from Elanco of Greenfield, IN) and zilpaterol hydrochloride (sold under the tradename of Zilmax available from Invervet of Millsboro, DE). Although these are two such beta- agonists that may be suitable for use there are and likely will be others in the future which will also be suitable for use.

[0016] Conventionally, zilpaterol hydrochloride has been mixed with cattle feed to increase muscle growth. In one example, a 4.8% zilpaterol hydrochloride granulation was mixed in a concentration of 6.8 g per ton of feed. This feed and beta-agonist mixture was fed to the cattle from between 20 and 40 days. After the 20 to 40 days, an increase in weight of the animal was observed (as compared to a control group) along with an increase in the protein of the animal tissue.

[0017] Beta-agonists may be prepared as a dry powder or a granulate and added to the animal feed, such as by mixing. Also, other forms of the additive may also be appropriate. The additive can be pre-mixed into the feed according to any of the methods known to those skilled in the art, or may be mixed or blended into the feed at the time of feeding. [0018] Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain many alternative embodiments of additives and feeding schedules. Such alternative embodiments may include, but are not limited to, the active isomers of other drugs with beta-adrenergic agonistic properties, such as for example hexoprenaline, isoprenaline, riniterol, isoetharine, metaproterenol, reproterenol, cimaterol, procaterol, carbuterol, tulobuterol, pibuterol, mabuterol, bitolterol, clenbuterol, and bambuterol. Also included may be eutomers of beta-agonists that are under development, such as broxaterol, etanterol, imoxiterol, namiterol, picumeterol, RP 58802, RU 42173 and ZK 90055. Those skilled in the art will also realize that there are many pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms of these drugs, such as for example sulfate, fumarate, hydrobromide, dihydrochloride, methanesulphonate, hydroxynaphthoate, hydrochloride or where appropriate, one or other of the hydrate forms thereof.

[0019] Most of the benefits associated with beta-agonists are associated with production efficiency and animal growth, as such, any changes imparted to the quality of meat from animals fed beta-agonists are regarded as inconsequential secondary effects. However, there is current research and substantial historical research that indicates that animals fed beta-agonists yield tough meat products.

[0020] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a method of using beta-agonists to produce more tender meat is provided. Commercially available beta-agonists are conventionally (see FIG. 1) fed for the last 28 days of feeding (zilpaterol requires a 3 -day withdrawal period before animals can be slaughtered; others may require up to a 5-day withdrawal period). During this feeding period, animals undergo tremendous growth such that, in cattle, the ribeye area's increase may be on the order of 2 in² and carcass weights may increase on the order of 30 lbs. compared to animals not fed beta-agonists. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the beta- agonists' mode of action is used in a novel way, such that the desired end product is not only production efficiency and growth, but tender meat as well.

[0021] The present invention is particularly advantageous when used in large production facilities, such as in commercial feed lot environments. In an embodiment of the present invention, the methods as described herein are contemporaneously applied to herds of animals cared for at a single site in numbers of animals exceeding 20, 100 or 300 animals.

[0022] As depicted in FIG. 2, the feed with added beta-agonist is fed during a first feeding period (on the order of 20 to 40 days, although not limited thereto). This may be applicable to many varieties of animals, as described earlier. The feed may comprise any of a variety of animal feeds such as but not limited to grass, hay, grains, manufactured feeds, and anything that may be fed to an animal and eaten by or provided to the animal at least partially for nutritive purposes. In an exemplary embodiment, the beta-agonist is administered orally to the animal, preferably by direct addition to animal feed. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the beta-agonist is not added directly to an animal feed. For example, the beta-agonist may be administered in a variety of ways including but not limited to injection, transdermal application (such as by application of one or more transdermal patches), water dosimetry, etc.

[0023] The animals are then fed feed that is essentially free of beta-agonist for a second period of time, which is longer than 5 days, in order that the muscles which had been driven into a hyper growth phase, begin to regress according to homeostatic principles such that enzymes within the animal cause deterioration of the muscle. This regression promotes tenderness of the ultimate meat and/or meat product. The second period of time may be, but is not limited to, on the order of 10 days, 2 weeks, or more. For example, the second period may be greater than nine days. In one exemplary embodiment the second period may be between 10 and 15 days. In another exemplary embodiment the second period may between 16 and 28 days. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the second period may be greater than 28 days. The length of the second period may be determined empirically or through other means and may be dependent on the type of animal, size of animal, quality of harvested product, among other characteristics. The use of beta-agonists to promote meat tenderness is very contrary to their known conventional use of beta-agonists, which is to cause rapid muscle growth that generally promotes meat toughness. In an exemplary embodiment in which the beta- agonist is not added to the animal feed directly, the administration of the beta-agonist is simply discontinued during the second period.

[0024] If animals fed beta-agonists are not slaughtered within a short time period after the feeding regime is completed, then it is believed that the animals will undergo a "de- compensatory growth" phase. Essentially, this is the animals' physiological response to put its body condition back into normal proportion once the extraneous effector is out of its system. During "de-compensatory growth" animals will rapidly regress muscle growth, such that protein degradation will be up-regulated and protein accretion will be down-regulated (the opposite effect of beta-agonists). For this to occur, protein degradation enzymes must be present in higher concentrations, be more active/effective, or both. By slaughtering animals at a point where protein degradation is optimized with increased weight, high levels of protein degradation in the muscle may be achieved, resulting in more rapid aging, reduced tenderness variation, and greater ultimate tenderness. It should be noted that the optimal point to slaughter or harvest the animal may be based on any of a variety of factors and/or objectives. It may be desirable to optimize the point of discontinuation of administration of the beta-agonist by taking into account the economics of the process as well as the desirability of the resultant product.

[0025] The described method is counter-intuitive to conventional feeding practices because beta-agonists are fed to maximize production efficiency and growth, which provide economic benefits to the producer. In the described systems, methods, and products, it is expected that the muscle degradation phase will be used to improve tenderness in the harvested meat at least when compared to an animal that was dosed similarly with beta-agonist but was not allowed to enter the muscle degradation phase. In other words, in an embodiment of the present invention, the relative tenderness of the meat is evaluated by comparison to a control animal that has had a beta-agonist administered thereto, but has not had the beta-agonist removed from the administration protocol after the first time period prior to slaughter. In another embodiment, improved tenderness is achieved when compared with a similar animal that was never dosed with beta-agonist. Further, by waiting during the second period of time in which the animal receives substantially no beta-agonist or a very reduced dose of beta-agonist, aging enzymes within the animal may be activated which may in turn increase the rate of postmortem tenderization.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 3, a method of improving meat tenderness 300 is depicted. The method includes feeding at least one animal a diet that includes at least one form of beta-agonist for a first period of time (process 310). The time period may be varied depending on numerous factors including but not limited to the type of animal, the size of animal, the type of beta-agonists, economic optimality, etc. Also, the types of beta-agonists may be more than one and may be chosen from any of the types discussed earlier among others. The at least one beta-agonist is removed from the at least one animal's diet (process 320) after the first time period. The at least one animal is then fed for a second period of time a diet without the at least one beta-agonist (process 330). The second period of time should be sufficient to cause regression in muscle growth in the at least one animal. Preferably the second period of time will be optimized to achieve certain specified process goals. Once the second time period has elapsed, the at least one animal is then slaughtered. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment the meat may be aged for a third time period which will be varied. This third period may be on the order of 21 days, however virtually any time period can be applied.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 4, a schedule 400 may be an integral part of a system for producing meat that has a desired tenderness. The schedule may include but is not limited to including a first period in which feed and beta-agonists are fed to the animal 410. The schedule may also include a second period in which feed without the beta- agonists are fed to the animal 420. The schedule may also include the slaughtering of the animal 430 and optionally a third period in which meat is aged 440. Each part of the schedule may include details about each step. The schedule may be a single sheet, an electronic file, a set of instructions, a handbook, a group of known steps, or any other appropriate form.

[0028] It should be observed that the invention includes, but is not limited to a novel structural combination of conventional feeds, feed additives, and feeding methods, and not in the particular detailed configurations thereof. Accordingly, the structure, methods, functions, and types of conventional feeds, additives and methods have, for the most part, been illustrated in the drawings by readily understandable block representations and schematic diagrams, in order not to obscure the disclosure with details which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the description provided. Further, the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments depicted in the exemplary diagrams, but should be construed in accordance with the language in the claims.

[0029] While the detailed drawings, specific examples, and particular formulations given described exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described maybe employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. The feed, feed additives, periods of time shown and described may differ depending on the chosen performance characteristics and physical characteristics of the animals and animal products. The systems shown and described are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. Method steps provided may not be limited to the order in which they are listed but may be ordered any way as to carry out the inventive process without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangements of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method of improving meat tenderness, comprising: administering at least one form of beta-agonist to at least one animal for a first period of time; discontinuing administering the at least one beta-agonist to the at least one animal; and feeding the at least one animal for a second period a diet without administering the at least one beta-agonist, the second period of time being more than 5 days and being sufficient to cause regression in muscle growth in the at least one animal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one animal includes at least one of bovine animals, porcine animals, equine animals, caprine animals, ovine animals, poultry or fish.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the beta-agonist is administered as a feed additive.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the beta-agonist is administered by a method selected from injection, transdermal application and water dosimetry.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the first period of time is less than 32 days.

6. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the first period of time is less than 41 days.

7. The method of any of claims 1 -6, wherein the second period of time is more than 10 days.

8. The method of any of claims 1 -6, wherein the second period of time is more than 13 days.

9. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the beta-agonist is selected from the group consisting of ractopamine, zilpaterol hydrochloride, hexoprenaline, isoprenaline, riniterol, isoetharine, metaproterenol, reproterenol, cimaterol, procaterol, carbuterol, tulobuterol, pibuterol, mabuterol, bitolterol, clenbuterol, bambuterol, broxaterol, etanterol, imoxiterol, namiterol, picumeterol, RP 58802, RU 42173, ZK 90055 and the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate forms thereof.

10. A system for producing meat, comprising: a meat bearing animal; animal feed; a beta-agonist feed additive; and a schedule for feeding the animal in which the animal is fed a diet including the animal feed and the beta-agonist during a first period of time and then the beta-agonist is substantially removed from the diet and the animal feed is fed to the animal during a second period of time substantially without the beta-agonist, the second period of time being more than 5 days and being sufficient to cause regression in muscle growth in the animal.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the schedule includes slaughtering the animal after the second period of time.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the schedule includes slaughtering the animal after the second period of time and aging at least some of the meat from the slaughtered animal for less than 21 days.

13. The system of any of claims 10-12, wherein the first period of time is less than 32 days.

14. The system of any of claims 10-12, wherein the first period of time is less than 41 days.

15. The system any of claims 10-14, wherein the second period of time is more than 10 days.

16. The system of any of claims 10-14, wherein the second period of time is more than 13 days.

17. The system of any of claims 10-16, wherein the beta-agonist is selected from the group consisting of ractopamine, zilpaterol hydrochloride, hexoprenaline, isoprenaline, riniterol, isoetharine, metaproterenol, reproterenol, cimaterol, procaterol, carbuterol, tulobuterol, pibuterol, mabuterol, bitolterol, clenbuterol, bambuterol, broxaterol, etanterol, imoxiterol, namiterol, picumeterol, RP 58802, RU 42173, ZK 90055 and the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate forms thereof.

18. A product, comprising: meat at least partially from a slaughtered animal, the animal being fed with a beta-agonist enhanced diet during a first time period of time and being fed a diet with substantially no beta- agonist during a second subsequent period of time, the second period of time being more than 5 days and being sufficient to cause regression in muscle growth in the animal.

19. The product of claim 18, wherein the product includes beef.