Tropical Beef: Is There an Axiomatic Basis to Define the Concept?

Summary

This systematic review consolidates evidence on meat quality and nutrient composition from cattle raised in tropical environments to establish an axiomatic basis for defining 'tropical beef' as a distinct concept. Although tropical production systems are diverse, they converge on indigenous and Bos indicus breeds under pasture feeding that produce characteristically lean and tough meat with macronutrient profiles broadly similar to temperate beef but with breed- and environment-dependent variation in fatty acid and mineral composition. The authors demonstrate that despite lean and tough characteristics, tropical beef holds cultural significance and food security relevance in the regions it serves.

Regional applicability

The findings have limited direct applicability to UK beef production, as UK systems predominantly use Bos taurus breeds in temperate climates with different pasture compositions and supplementary feeding regimes. However, the paper's methodological approach to characterising beef quality across diverse production systems may inform UK quality assurance frameworks and understanding of how environmental and breed factors influence nutrient profiles.

Key measures

Meat tenderness (shear force in Newtons), intramuscular fat percentage, moisture content, protein content, fatty acid profiles, mineral content, carcass yield, breed type, age at slaughter

Outcomes reported

The study systematically reviewed evidence on meat quality and nutrient composition from cattle raised in tropical regions to establish whether 'tropical beef' constitutes a scientifically defined category with distinct characteristics. It measured carcass yield, meat tenderness, intramuscular fat content, macronutrient and fatty acid profiles, and mineral composition across tropical production systems.

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