본 연구에서는 거세방법에 따른 한우의 안심살(M. psoas major), 꽃등심살(M. longissimus thoracis) 및 우둔살(M. semimembranous)의 육질특 성과 지방산 조성을 조사하였다. 공시시료는 송아지가 7개월령에 도달하면, 외과적 수술방법을 통해 한쪽 고환을 제거한 반거세 한우(half-castration; HC) 9두와 양쪽 모두 제거한 완전거세 한우(complete-castration; CC) 8두를 이용하였다. 거세된 송아지는 24-26개월까지 동일한 조건에서 사육한 후 도축하고 3개 부위(안심살, 꽃등심살, 우둔살)를 채취하여 육질 분석하였다. 거세방법에 따른 그룹 간 지방함량은 HC 그룹이 2.97~11.06%로 CC 그룹보다 낮은 함량을 나타내었으며, 수분함량은 HC 그룹이 65.39~70.90%로 CC 그룹보다 높은 함량을 나타내었다(p<0.05). 3개 근육의 pH는 5.47~5.54 범위였으며, pH와 보수력은 거세방법에 따른 유의적인 차이는 나타나지 않았다(p>0.05). 육색은 L*값과 a*값에서 HC가 CC보다 낮게 나타났다(p<0.05). 가열감량과 전단력은 HC 그룹의 꽃등심살이 CC 그룹보다 높은 값을 나타내었다(p<0.05). 지방산 조성은 palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, vaccenic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linoleneic acid와 PUFA, n6에서 HC와 CC 그룹 간 유의적 차이가 나타났다(p<0.05). 특히, 지방산 조성에서 HC 그룹과 CC 그룹 모두 oleic acid가 가장 높은 함량을 나타내었다(p<0.05). 따라서 거세 방법은 한우육의 근육 내 지방, 육색, 연도와 같은 이화학적 특성과 지방산 조성에 영향을 미칠 수 있다고 사료된다.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the quality characteristics of Korean Woori black pig (KWP) bellies and loins by different slaughter weight (SW) groups. The loin and belly samples collected from KWPs with different body weights (50, 75, 90, 105, and 120 kg) at 24 h post-mortem were used in the present investigation. The samples were analyzed for quality traits, fatty acid profiles, and volatile flavor compounds. Results showed that the fat content of the loin (8.64%) and belly samples (46.78%) was significantly higher in the 120 kg SW group compared to those of other SW groups (p<0.05). However, a lower protein content (12.20-12.67%) was found in the belly cuts of the heavier SW groups (105-120 kg) compared to those of the lighter SW groups (p<0.05). The lowest cooking loss (24.34%) was found in the loin cuts of the 120 kg SW group (p<0.05). Both the loin and belly cuts were observed to be redder in color with increasing SW (p<0.05). Higher oleic acid (C18:1, n9) and total monounsaturated fatty acid content and lower linolenic acid(C18:3, n3) and total polyunsaturated fatty acid content were observed in both cuts of the 120 kg SW group (p<0.05). Out of the flavor compounds identified, 11 and 17 compounds in the loin and belly, respectively, were associated with the SW. An increase in the SW resulted in increased concentrations of C18:1n9- and amino acid-derived flavor compounds. Overall, the meat samples of the heavier SW groups (120 kg) exhibited better quality and higher concentrations of volatile compounds associated with pleasant flavors. However, the meat of the 120 kg SW group also contained a much higher fat level (8.64 and 46.78% in the loin and belly, respectively) that may result in high trimming loss and hence a high rejection risk by consumers.