Effect of maturity scores and number of extractions on the chemical properties of water extract from hanwoo shank bones

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of maturity scores [2 (bull), 2 (steer), 3-9 (cow)] and the number of extractions (up to 4 times) on the chemical properties of water extract from Hanwoo shank bones (arm, fore shank, round and hind shank). The turbidity, meat color (CIE L value), collagen, protein, caloric and chondroitin sulfate contents of samples were observed. The turbidity and lightness were higher for water extract of Hanwoo shank bones with a maturity score of 2 (bull and steer) than maturity scores of 3-9 (cow) (p<0.05). The turbidity and lightness of water extract from shank bones of all Hanwoo maturity scores significantly increased with the 1st and 2nd extractions, but significantly decreased with 3rd and 4th extractions (p<0.05). The collagen and protein contents were highest for water extract from Hanwoo shank bones of maturity score 2 (bull and steer) (p<0.05). The caloric and chondroitin sulfate contents were higher for water extract from Hanwoo shank bones of maturity score 2 (bull and steer) than maturity scores of 3-9 (cow) (p<0.05). As the number of extractions increased, the chondroitin sulfate content significantly decreased (p<0.05). Based on these results, differences correlating with maturity scores were found only with collagen and protein contents. Therefore, further studies should be considered to address whether different maturity scores affect the price of shank bones in the meat industry.