Automated Eating Quality Measurements on Lamb Carcases in a Processing Plant Using Unilateral NMR

Grading systems within the beef industry have created value along the entire product chain from the farm to the consumer. Carcases in the meat industry are typically graded into separate value brackets. However, most data collected on carcases is either subjective, unreliable or not practical to be obtained in the processing line. One of the main drivers of value is intramuscular fat (IMF), also know as marbling in beef. NMR is a proven tool for measuring the fat and oil content in foods but the meat industry provides particular challenges such as large samples, fast cycle time > 10/min, a specific measurement location, limited foot-print for the equipment, harsh environment, food safe materials, automation due to lack of labour force, and integration into data systems. While fat in meat has been measured previously, we have developed the technology to meet many of the above processing plant challenges. A unilateral NMR magnet and RF coil were designed and fabricated inhouse and integrated into a carcase handling rig. The complete system was tested in a processing plant over four weeks. The system was capable of measuring intramuscular fat at the industry standard accuracy of ± 1% IMF. We were able to measure at a rate of 4.2 carcases per minute.