Objective on-line assessment of marbling: a brief review

Abstract

Visual assessment remains the preferred method for evaluation of marbling in abattoirs. However, visual assessments are compromised by the disadvantages inherent in most systems of subjective evaluation. To that end, several objective measurement technologies have been developed and evaluated for on-line measurement of marbling. Several of these technologies are reviewed in this paper. Of the current suite of technologies, video image analysis and the Danish bioelectrical impedance device offer the most promise in terms of measurement accuracy and suitability for on-line use.