ABSTRACT. In order to evaluate how beef buyers in the State of Paraná, Brazil south value meat quality indicators, and attributes of credibility, 519 interviews were conducted in three cities with different sizes (Big - Curitiba, Medium - Campo Mourão and Small - Palotina). The interviews were applied after the meat was placed in the shopping cart and were composed of five questions, including question of spontaneous response: (i) factors that the buyer considers at the purchasing time; (ii) information which the buyer considers important to appear on the meat label; and three questions of stimulated response: (i) preference for meat preparation and exposure for sale, (ii) factors that the buyer considers when purchasing the meat, and (iii) preference for marbling (by photograph) according to the beef preparation. The results showed that beef buyers are more concerned with extrinsic meat quality indicators than the intrinsic ones, especially the meat presentation and hygiene of the sale point; have little knowledge about the factors that positively influence the eating experience of beef and do not cares about attributes of credibility, except for the meat expiration date. Beef buyers from medium (Campo Mourão) and small (Palotina) cities have a similar behavior, and differ from the buyers of a big (Curitiba) city among the attributes surveyed, in relation to the greater appreciation of inspection, tenderness and marbling, and less importance given to the expiration date. Beef buyers prefer meat cut by the butcher; however, this preference is higher in the small city.

ABSTRACT. Brazil is currently undergoing a process to establish new patterns of consumption habits and the implementation of a new concepts of meat quality. The process emphasizes the quality of information delivered to consumers, which is part of the new approach to meat quality and food safety. The objective of this article is to investigate the attributes considered important when buying beef, knowledge about the production process, labelling, cuts and characteristics of the animals. The study included 276 consumers in three Brazilian cities and their responses were examined in relation to the semi-structured form with fifteen spontaneous and stimulated questions. It was verified that the presentation of the product is regarded as the most important attribute at the time of purchase, they prefer to purchase meat in the butchers, and do not value the labelling of the product, which makes it difficult to identify and offer differentiated products or certificates. The frequency of consumption of beef increases with family income and the vast majority of consumers prefer low marbling meat regardless of the type of preparation. The consumer has little knowledge of more specialized cuts, since the product sold in the butchers has different cuts terminology.

RESUMO. Este estudo foi realizado para avaliar o desempenho animal, características de carcaça e qualidade da carne de novilhos Nelore terminados em pastagens e abatidos aos 36 meses de idade (n = 10) e machos não castrados Angus vs. Nelores abatidos aos 20 meses de idade (n = 10). O peso final, peso, características e conformação da carcaça e espessura de gordura de cobertura foram maiores (p < 0,001) para os novilhos Nelores do que para os mestiços Angus vs. Nelores. As perdas de água durante o resfriamento (24 horas, 4º C) foram menores (p < 0,05) para os novilhos Nelores do que para os mestiços Angus vs. Nelores. A percentagem de músculo na 6ª costela foi maior (p < 0,05) para os novilhos Nelores do que para os mestiços Angus vs. Nelores; enquanto que a percentagem de osso foi menor (p < 0,05) para os novilhos Nelores. Após 7 e 14 dias de maturação, o valor de L* da carne foi maior (p < 0,05) para os novilhos Nelores do que para os mestiços Angus vs. Nelores. O valor de L* foi similar (p > 0,05) ao longo da maturação para os mestiços Angus vs. Nelores; enquanto que o valor de L* da carne dos novilhos Nelores aumentou (p < 0,05). O grupo genético não teve efeito (p > 0,05) sobre o valor de a* (cor vermelha). Da mesma forma, o tempo de maturação não teve efeito (p > 0,05) para os animais dos dois grupos genéticos. O grupo genético não teve efeito (p > 0,05) sobre o valor de b* (cor amarela). Por outro lado, o tempo de maturação aumentou o valor de b* após o sétimo dia para os animais dos dois grupos genéticos. A perda por descongelamento e cocção foi menor (p < 0,05) para os novilhos Nelores após o sétimo dia de maturação. A carne dos mestiços Angus vs. Nelores foi mais macia (p < 0,05) em todos os tempos de maturação (1, 4, 7 e 14 dias) do que a carne dos novilhos Nelores. O grupo genético não teve efeito (p > 0,05) sobre a oxidação de lipídeos; no entanto, a oxidação de lipídeos aumentou após o sétimo dia. A carne dos novilhos Nelores continha maior percentagem de ácidos graxos saturados (AGS), menor percentagem de ácidos graxos não saturados (AGNS) e monoinsaturados (AGMI) e similar percentagem de ácidos graxos poli-insaturados (AGPI) do que a carne dos mestiços Angus vs. Nelores. A gordura intramuscular dos Nelores tinha melhor razão n-6:n-3 do que a carne dos mestiços Angus vs. Nelores (4,37 vs. 11,45, respectivamente. A maciez, aroma e aceitabilidade geral foram maiores (p < 0,001) para a carne dos novilhos Nelores, desconsiderando o tempo de maturação (1, 4, 7 e 14 dias).

ABSTRACT. This study evaluated animal performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality of 36-month old Nellore steers finished in pastures (n = 10) and 20-month old Angus vs. Nellore bulls finished in feedlot (n = 10). Final body weight, carcass weight, characteristics, conformation and fat thickness, were higher (p < 0.001) for the Nellore steers than for Angus vs. Nellore bulls. Water losses during chilling (24 hours, 4oC) were lower (p < 0.05) for Nellore steers than for the Angus vs. Nellore bulls. Muscle percentage on the 6th rib was higher (p < 0.05) for the Nellore steers than for Angus vs. Nellore bulls; while bone percentage was lower (p < 0.05) for Nellore steers. After 7 and 14 days of ageing, the L* meat value was higher for the Nellore steers than for the Angus vs. Nellore bulls; the L* meat value was similar (p > 0.05) throughout the ageing period for the Angus vs. Nellore bulls, but higher in meat from the Nellore steers (p < 0.05). Genetic group had no effect (p > 0.05) on meat a* value (redness). Likewise, ageing time had no effect on a* in both genetic groups, and genetic group had no effect (p > 0.05) on meat b* value (yellowness). On the other hand, b* was increased after day 7 of ageing for the bulls from the two genetic groups. Thawing and cooking losses were lower for Nellore steers after day 7 of aging (p < 0.05). The meat of the Angus vs. Nellore bulls was more tender (p < 0.05) at all ageing times studied (1, 4, 7 and 14 days) than the meat of the Nellore steers. Genetic group had no effect (p > 0.05) on lipid oxidation; however, lipid oxidation increased after day7. Meat from Nellore steers contained a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids (SFA), a lower percentage of unsaturated (UFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and a similar percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than the meat from Angus vs. Nellore bulls. Intramuscular fat from Nellore steers had a more favourable n-6:n-3 fatty acid ratio than that from Angus vs. Nellore bulls (4.37 vs. 11.45, respectively). Tenderness, flavour and overall acceptability were higher (p < 0.001) for meats of the Nellore steers, regardless of ageing time (1, 4, 7 and 14 days).