P.PSH.1034 - Verification of grass-fed beef claims using spectroscopic technologies
Did you that Raman spectroscopy has been investigated to verify beef grass or grainfed production systems?
| Project start date: | 01 February 2018 |
| Project end date: | 13 July 2023 |
| Publication date: | 03 May 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | National, Cold wet, Dry, Mediterranean, Tropical warm season wet, Sub-tropical moist, Sub-tropical sub-humid, Temperate, Temperate sub-humid, Tropical Moist, Tropical wet |
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Summary
This project aimed to provide the beef industry with a scientific based verification method for grassfed and grainfed beef products, using Raman spectroscopy.
Given Raman spectroscopic hand-held devices are already commercially available, this project focused on the application of the technology, development of the method for verification and validation of the method over multiple seasons.
With accuracies over 80% found across models created in the preliminary phases and accuracies of up to 96% in validation models, this project has delivered spectroscopy methods that are ready for commercialisation.
Objectives
This project aimed to develop a scientific verification method for grassfed and grainfed beef products, using Raman spectroscopy.
Key findings
Validation of models demonstrated that 86% of carcases were correctly classified into production system of origin when both southern and northern cattle were combined into one model. While 96% of carcases from northern production systems were correctly classified when carcases were separated into northern and southern models, only 70% of southern carcases were correctly classified. Initial data indicates these reduced accuracies may be the result of similarities between omega fatty acids found in supplemented grassfed carcases and short-term grainfed.
Benefits to industry
This research provides the evidence required to underpin the use of Raman spectroscopy for objectively verifying grassfed beef to maintain market access while reducing the cost of auditing to the supply chain.
As Raman spectroscopy had sufficient sensitivity to classify carcases from grassfed, grass supplemented, short-term grainfed and long-term grainfed production systems in northern and southern production systems. This research also supports the use of Raman spectroscopy to verify brands which are often based on unique regions and feeding systems.
MLA action
MLA is supporting the research team to investigate commercialisation opportunities.
More information
| Project manager: | Richard Apps |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | Dept of Primary Industries NSW |
