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SmartStretchTM

Benefits
The SmartStretchTM machine is able to potentially improve the meat quality of hot boned primals by stretching. This usage of the machine is seen as separate, optional and prior stage to the SmartShapeTM application for this same technology, with all SmartStretchTM machines also able to provide shaping functions. 

The SmartStretchTM machine is a compact unit that can be housed in most boning or meat preparation rooms. 

Benefits
In addition to the benefits solely related to SmartShapeTM, additional benefits of the SmartStretchTM technology include: 

  • Improving meat quality traits (meat tenderness, juiciness, etc) on pre-rigor meat
  • Quality enhancements due to reductions in purge loss and improvement in colour stability

For hot boning meat processors, advantages include:

  • Increased yield with potential labour and power savings if applied to hot-boning applications 
  • Increased profit from reduced aging time required to achieve acceptable eating quality (i.e. accelerated tenderisation) 
  • Enhanced meat quality (increased CMQ4 score) for some stretched hot-boned cuts compared to carcase hung excised cuts 
  • Increased profit from increasing the value of low value cuts 
  • Increased demand due to new products

A detailed cost/benefit analysis was undertaken by Greenleaf Enterprises in October 2008 so as to identify the theoretical costs and benefits of the SmartShapeTM/SmartStretchTM technology.

Availability and Costs
The capital cost of the commercial prototype SmartStretchTM unit is around AUD 80,000.

MLA is currently co-funding a limited number of commercial trials for the SmartShapeTM/SmartStretchTM technology, ahead of full commercialisation in 2011.

More Information
Stretching primals prior to rigor is a well established method of decreasing the amount of contraction by sarcomeres; therefore, improved eating quality is possible.  

MLA and Beef + Lamb New Zealand Limited (B+LNZ) have been funding research into technologies to stretch meat for some time now and there have been a series of prototype technologies developed.

While many processors and value adders have indicated that shaping hot or cold primals is the main application of this technology, improving meat quality of hot boned primals by stretching (SmartStretchTM) is also seen as a potentially useful application for the machine,

This application of the machine has been termed SmartStretchTM and is seen as separate but complementary to the SmartShapeTM application in terms of commercialisation. 

MLA and B+LNZ have completed extensive research trials on the optimum stretch required for various primals, so as to achieve the desired meat quality result. More information on the results of this research and  its commercial implications is available.

A final report realting to the above is titled 'Accelerated process of sheep/beef meat' and focusses on the use of SmartStretchTM/SmartShape™ technology.

Increase in tenderness using SmartStretchTM