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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 November 2017
Tenderness can be considered as a function of three components: connective tissue content/composition, sarcomere length and proteolysis of the myofibrillar proteins (ageing) (Koohmaraie, 2002). Improvement of sarcomere length and proteolysis can be achieved through optimal processing (e.g. hanging and aging; Thompson, 2006). The main technique that improves the sarcomere length is tenderstretch hanging. This technique increases the tension of the hindlimb and loin muscles avoiding the contraction of the fibers at rigor (Bouton, 1973). In this experiment the aim was, under commercial conditions, to compare two methods of tenderstretch hanging and to examine the potential to improve the tenderness of lamb muscles.