Effects of muscle texture on ultrasonic measurements

In this study bovine muscle samples were analysed using an ultrasonic metho d to investigate the influence of compositional and textural characteristic s on ultrasonic measurements. The ultrasonic method was based on the measur ement of acoustic parameters (velocity, attenuation and backscattering inte nsity) which are closely related to physical properties of the propagating medium. An examination of physical parameters was proposed by two types of representations: a mean profile and a parametric image. Two muscle types, w hich differ in composition and structure were studied. On the same samples additional measurements, mechanical resistance and chemical composition, we re performed and used to show the influence of meat composition and texture on ultrasonic data. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.