Applications of NMR spectroscopy in meat research

A variety of NMR measurement methods have been developed that have useful applications in assessment of the composition, quality and energy metabolism of muscle tissue. NMR imaging studies of live animals can be used to study muscle structure and to monitor the effects of, for example, feed additives on parameters such as the deposition of fat and protein during growth. NMR spectroscopic evaluation of carcasses can be used to determine the factors that affect muscle tissue characteristics post mortem and for meat quality control applications.