Visible spectroscopy on carcass fat combined with chemometrics to distinguish pasture-fed, concentrate-fed and concentrate-finished pasture-fed lambs

Summary

This 2015 study demonstrated that visible spectroscopy combined with partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) can reliably distinguish lamb carcasses from three production systems: pasture-fed, concentrate-fed, and concentrate-finished pasture-fed. Using reflectance data across 400–700 nm wavelengths on perirenal fat, the method achieved 95.6–95.9% classification accuracy at slaughter and 24 hours post mortem. The approach offers potential for rapid, non-destructive differentiation of meat provenance or finishing regime based on fat spectral signatures, with carotenoid absorption declining exponentially as live weight gain increases during finishing.

Regional applicability

The methodology is geographically non-specific and could be applied to UK lamb production systems to verify lamb finishing regimes and meet consumer or retailer traceability requirements. However, the transferability depends on whether carotenoid deposition patterns and fat spectral signatures are consistent across UK forage types and finishing practices.

Key measures

Reflectance spectroscopy at 400–700 nm wavelengths; carotenoid light absorption index (450–510 nm); PLS-DA classification accuracy; perirenal and subcutaneous caudal fat samples

Outcomes reported

The study measured reflectance spectra of perirenal and subcutaneous caudal fat from lambs in three production systems at slaughter and 24 hours post mortem to evaluate classification accuracy. Visible spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis (PLS-DA) achieved 95.6–95.9% correct classification of lambs by finishing regime.

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