SmartStim™
Description
SmartStimTM (Generation Two) is a new development in the stimulation of carcases, further improving on the earlier Generation One stimulation systems installed in many processing plants.
SmartStimTM gathers information about each individual carcase by applying a series of carefully selected electrical pulses and measuring the carcase reaction through a load cell. This predicts some key attributes (pH, ultimate pH and tenderness) and the system can use this information to give each carcase the exact dose of stimulation required.
Benefits
The benefits of the SmartStimTM system include further improved eating quality, and the possibility of addressing some of the heat toughening issues found in some plants.
Availability
SmartStimTM is currently being trialled in plants across Australia and New Zealand. It is expected to be commercially available from 2010.
For more information on being involved in trialling of SmartStimTM or for purchasing the commercial unit please contact cis@mla.com.au.
More Information
Electrical stimulation is a process of applying special electrical waveforms to carcases to minimise the toughening effect on meat during subsequent refrigeration. Stimulation has been used in a relatively uncontrolled way in Australia since the 1980's, however, beginning in 2000, MLA developed more practical stimulation equipment (Generation One and now SmartStimTM) which could be retrofitted to existing processing plants relatively easily.
Existing Generation One equipment can be linked to SmartStimTM with the latter controlling the amount of stimulation provided by the Generation One equipment.
This new approach to stimulation made it possible to produce consistent and reliable stimulation effects (improved tenderness) across the diversified Australian meat processing environment for the first time.
The different effects of electrical stimulation during beef processing was a topic covered in a
Meat Industry Update.
The relationship between pH and dark meat was also covered.