EFFECT OF AGE AND ANATOMICAL LOCATION ON COMPOSITION OF BOVINE BONE

Ash and calcium as measures of bone in meat and bone mixtures

Bone content of mechanically recovered meat is usually controlled by setting calcium limits, but these limits may allow more bone in some products because calcium content of fresh bone is variable. Studies involving deposition of energy, nutrients, and minerals are also dependent on ash or calcium to determine bone content of carcasses. However, ash and calcium, which is 37% of bone ash, varies by age of animal, presence or absence of tissues such as marrow or cartilage that are associated with bone, and state of bone hydration. Literature that reports ash content of bone and factors associated with its variability is the focus of this review. Based on the literature reviewed, a conversion factor of 4.5 for calcium percentage to fresh cortical bone percentage from round bones of cows, fed beef, lambs, pigs and hens is recommended. A conversion factor of calcium percentage to fresh bone percentage of 5.0 is recommended for all veal and broiler bones and for flat bones.

Neutron activation analysis of bulk and selected trace elements in bones using a low flux SLOWPOKE reactor

The mineral phase of bone is a reservoir for some biologically important ions and is the place where some toxic elements are also stored. For these reasons it is important to measure accurately and nondestructively the chemical content of bone, with respect to its main elements (Ca, P, Mg, Na) and its trace elements. We have analyzed different types of human bone by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), using a SLOWPOKE reactor. We have compared our results with inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICPES), and we have determined the limits of detection and sensitivity for the various elements, especially some biologically or toxicologically significant trace elements. Finally, we have given two examples of the use of INAA in following the penetration of an element (F) with time into bone and in characterizing nondestructively the mineral content of bone biopsies of a rare pathological condition (osteopetrosis).