Meat quality attributes of night-cropped Impala (Aepyceros melampus)

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of using a heavy or a light calibre rifle for night cropping of impala (Aepyceros melampus) on meat quality (pH, colour, cooking and drip loss, tenderness). The effect of gender on these parameters was also tested. Eight male and eight female im pala were shot at night using either a heavy or a light calibre rifle. Sex and rifle calibre had an effect on some of the parameters tested An exponen tial function (y = a + b e((ct))) was fitted to the rate of pH decline with time. Constants for females were: a = 5.667 +/- 0.0142, b = 2.097 +/- 0.17 77 and c = -0.451 +/- 0.0541, and constants for males were: a = 5.792 + 0.0 142, b = 3.055 +/- 0.1777 and c = -0.711 +/- 0.0541. These constants differ ed (P < 0.05) between sexes. The impala showed a mean pH(45) Of 7.17 +/- 0. 0674 and a mean pH(f) of 5.70 +/- 0.068. Mean drip and cooking loses were 2 .55 +/- 0.300%, 23.98 +/- 0.367%, respectively, whilst a mean shear value o f 3.65 +/- 0.293 kg / 1.27 cm diameter was also noted. The darker colour of venison was reflected in the CIELAB values of the M. longissimus thoracis (L* = 29.22 +/- 0.590, a* = 11.26 +/- 0.319, b* = 7.36 +/- 0.266). One of t he animals was stressed prior to and during killing, and showed attributes associated with ante-mortem stress: higher pH(f), lower drip loss and darke r meat. The results indicate that the present method of cropping ungulates does not have a negative effect on the meat quality parameters tested.