Efeito do sexo e do período de jejum pré-abate no rendimento de carcaça de rãs-touro (Lithobates catesbeianus)

Abstract

During the slaughter and processing of bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) meat, contamination of the carcass may occur, compromising the safety of the final product and the health of consumers. The most important microbial agents for public health that can be detected in the carcass and cause foodborne illness outbreaks are Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and coagulase-positive staphylococci. Several resources have been used to avoid or reduce the presence of these bacteria in meat products of the most varied species of production animals, with the pre-slaughter fasting period being one of the variables used in the control of carcass contamination by intestinal pathogens. However, depending on the fasting period used, there may be damage to carcass yield, which is not interesting for the production chain. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sex and different fasting periods on bullfrog carcass yield. To carry out this study, 120 bullfrogs (60 females and 60 males) were divided into two fasting periods (24 and 48 hours), routinely used by the establishment. These animals were then weighed after bleeding and after evisceration to calculate carcass yield. In addition, the skin, head, liver and heart of all animals were also weighed. This work observed that the pre-slaughter fasting period had no effect on bullfrog carcass yield (P>0.05). There is a difference between male and female bullfrogs with regard to initial weight, final weight and carcass yield, with males presenting higher carcass yield when compared to females, even though they have lower initial and final weights (P<0.05). Furthermore, head, skin, heart and liver weights are not influenced by pre-slaughter fasting times of 24 and 48 hours (P>0.05). These results demonstrate that the implementation of a longer fasting, in addition to reducing carcass contamination, does not bring negative financial impacts to the bullfrog production chain.