After the slaughter, a portion from the Longissimus thoracis
muscle between the 12th and 13th thoracic vertebrae
was immediately collected to determine total muscle calcium
concentration and meat colour [0 and 1 h post-mortem
(pm)]. At 24 h pm, the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle
was removed between the 12th thoracic and 5th lumbar
vertebrae and cut into nine steaks (2.54 cm in thickness),
which were vacuum packaged into 3 packages (3 steaks/
package)