Bioelectrical impedance analysis for the prediction of saleable products in buffalo.

Many studies defined the buffalo aptitude for meat production, and nutritional characteristics of buffalo meat were appreciated. Various techniques and procedures for estimating body composition of live animals have been used under specific conditions and different species. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) technology, previously developed for humans because of its accuracy and simplicity, has been applied conveniently in many animal species but in buffalo. The objective of this study was to develop prediction equations of saleable cuts from buffaloes carcass. Twenty buffaloes were fed ad libitum with a concentrate feed and vitamin-mineral integration, for 14 months. Seven days before slaughtering, the animals were weighted and somatic and BIA measurements (Rs, Xc) were collected. Carcasses were kept at 4° C for seven days and then measured for BIA, carcass half weight, yield grade, longissimus muscle area, and fat mass. The best subset regression procedure was used to select a group of likely models including BIA and measurements in live buffalo. Then the adjusted R2 selection and residual analysis were used as criteria to select the independent variables in the models and individuate optimum values of frequency (500 - 1000 khz). Our study suggests that BIA can be used conveniently to predict the yield of saleable cuts.