In the present research, the X-ray microtomography (lCT) technique was used to quantify intramuscular
fat content and to study fat distribution in different breeds and commercial meat joints.
Two different breeds, Podolian vs. Charolaise, chosen to exhibit variability in terms of visible structure
of fat, were used. High Pearson correlation coefficients (r = 0.92–0.99, P < 0.001) were found between fat
content, expressed as percentage object volume (POV) determined by lCT and fat content analysed by an
official method. Useful information was provided from quantitative three-dimensional parameters
describing the fat structure, such as the structure model index (SMI), the object structure/ volume ratio
(OSVR) and the structure separation (SS). Charolaise breed showed higher POV and SS (P < 0.01) values
than Podolian. X-ray microtomography allows a rapid estimation of intramuscular fat of meat and provides
a more accurate description of the fat microstructure and meat quality