2. Materials and methods
Two experiments were conducted, with the first examining
the practice of wrapping half carcasses in polyethylene film and the
potential reduction in cooler shrink and the second evaluating the
impact of wrapping on the cooling characteristics and surfacemicrobial
status of half carcasses.
Both experiments were conducted in a slaughterhouse located
in Mato Grosso State, Brazil, under the supervision of the Federal
Inspection Service (SIF), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food
Supply (MAPA). The pre-slaughter management was performed in
accordance with animal welfare practices, and the slaughter process
followed the guidelines of the Regulation of Industrial and Sanitary
Inspection of Animal Products.