Electromagnetic scanning to estimate carcass lean content of Taiwan native broilers

To estimate lean content of Taiwan native broiler carcasses accurately, objectively and rapidly, electrical conductivity measurements of broiler carcasses and other relative factors (carcass weight, length and temperature) were used in multiple linear regression analysis for lean prediction. Forty native broiler carcasses, with average market weight 2477.5±465.5 g, were scanned through a 10 MHz electromagnetic field created by an electromagnetic scanner (SA-3203) to measure the total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC) index. After scanning, each broiler carcass was separated into wing, breast, leg and back. Each primal cut was dissected into lean, fat and bone. The weight, length, temperature and TOBEC index of broiler carcass were significantly correlated with lean weight of broiler carcass (P<0.001). Regression analysis for lean estimation with carcass weight, length, temperature and TOBEC index showed higher coefficient of determination (R2=0.968) and lower coefficient of variation (CV=4.178) with an equation using beheaded carcass weight, temperature and TOBEC index as variables.