Hot-boned meat is from the carcass before the chilling
process and may include pre-rigor meat, as well as meat
that has entered the onset of rigor. Hot processing, which
includes the whole spectrum of technological processes
from hot boning to processed meat, manufactured from
pre rigor meat, have been studied in detail (Claus & Sorheim,
2006). Hot processing of meat offers several economical
advantages which result from reduction of weight loss
during chilling (about 1.5%), reduction of drip loss during
storage of vacuum-packaged cuts by 0.1–0.6%, reduction in
cooler space by 50–55%, savings of refrigeration energy by
40–50%, quicker turnover of meat at plant, reducing capital
cost for buildings, higher final yield of products manufactured
from hot-boned meat, savings on labour by 20%
and savings on transport costs (Pisula & Tyburcy, 1996).
The major problems associated with hot processing of meat
are increased shape distortion of hot-boned cuts, need for
careful synchronizing of the slaughter, boning and processing
operations, requirements of higher standards of
hygiene and high investment costs for construction of purpose-built
existing plants, new equipment and training of
staff.