Possible Relationships Between Shear, Tensile, and Adhesion Properties of Meat and Meat Structure

Contributions to the structural strength of meat samples by the myofibrillar and connective tissue components were altered by varying the myofibrillar contraction state, muscle type and the cooking temperature. Shear, tensile and adhesion measurements were used to evaluate quantitatively changes in the properties of the samples. Detailed examination of shear and tensile force‐deformation curves suggested that the initial effect of shear, compression or tensile force was to produce a yield in the myofibrillar structure. After the initial yield, the applied force was probably resisted mainly by the connective tissue structure. Adhesion and tensile values showed changes which indicated a probable rearrangement of the collagen fibers in the connective tissue network as it adjusted to accommodate changes in the myofibrillar contraction state.