This research aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and their relationship with sensory properties of cured porcine m. longissimus lumborum assisted by high‐intensity ultrasound (HIU, 37 kHz, 22 Wcm⁻²). An experiment was designed with three factors at two levels each: type of curing (immersion or ultrasound‐assisted ‐UA‐), immersion time (30 or 90 min), and steak thickness (1.27 or 2.54 cm). After treatment and 7 days of storage at 4°C, the percentage of salt, pH, CIE L* a* b* color, water holding capacity (WHC), and shear force were determined in the samples. A quantitative descriptive analysis was performed using eight trained panelists. The HIU significantly increased the percentage of NaCl (p < .0005) and decreased the color saturation of the meat (p < .05), but did not affect the luminosity, redness (a*), yellowness (b*), pH, WHC, or shear force (all p > .05). The thickness of the steak had significant effects on almost all of the evaluated variables. Samples with 1.27 cm thickness had lower shear force, higher WHC and salt percentage (p < .0001). In agreement with this, the sensory profiles showed that the 1.27 cm samples treated with HIU for 30 min were perceived as less tough (more tender) and juicier.

The expected population growth will increase global food consumption, particularly meat consumption, which is estimated to increase 14% by 2030. Hence, the efficient utilization of all the resources involved in meat production, predominantly feed additives in livestock, is important due to economic costs and the high environmental in terms of gas production and ammonia excretion. Efforts have been made to increase efficiency in livestock production and improve the absorption and utilization of nutrients. Nevertheless, advances in technology in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and food industries have barely been used by the livestock and poultry industry. The micro/nano encapsulation process has been used in animal nutrition to protect bioactive compounds or to control the release of feed additives into the animal gastrointestinal tract, avoiding rumen microbes attack, or monogastric digestion in swine and poultry, to be available in the small intestine. However, not all the encapsulation techniques are suitable for applications in animal feeding. For example, spray drying, emulsion and coacervation can be used to control the release of feed additives in ruminants. In this sense, micro encapsulation of different feed additives such as amino acids, fatty acids, and probiotics may face enormous challenges to help improve livestock and poultry nutrition. The objective of this review is to highlight and discuss the techniques, compounds, and key aspects involved in the encapsulation of feed additives and nutrients with potential applications in the livestock and poultry production

The objective of this exploratory study was to assess if microencapsulated arginine influences the physicochemical quality of beef. The study included three genetic groups: Angus, Hereford, and Angus × Hereford crossbreed. Two encapsulation systems were used with carnauba wax, at ratios of 3:1 and 2:1, carnauba wax:core (arginine), respectively. A control treatment was also included with no arginine addition. Encapsulated arginine with a 3:1 ratio increased redness by 19.66 at 28 d aged beef compared to the control and 2:1 ratio with values of 18.55 and 16.77, respectively (p = 0.01). Encapsulated arginine at a 3:1 ratio showed the lowest meat shear force values with 24.32 N at 28 d of ageing (p < 0.001). The Angus breed also had a low value of 24.02 N (p < 0.001). Finally, the highest values of intramuscular fat were observed with the inclusion of arginine in a 3:1 ratio. The fat value reached 2.12% with a 3:1 ratio (p = 0.002), while in the Angus breed it was 1.59%. The addition of carnauba wax-encapsulated arginine can improve meat quality. It enhances red color, tenderness, and marbling in bovine meat.