Association between functional candidate genes and organoleptic meat traits in intensively-fed beef

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the associations between the single nucleotide polymorphisms in CAPN1 , CAST , DGAT1 , FABP4 , LEP , RORC and SCD1 genes and the sensory meat quality in an intensively fed commercial population (Charolais, Limousin and Retinta breed). This work carried out analyses on a common Spanish population and evaluated the association between the markers and sensory traits. A total of 161 bulls were allocated to two different feedlots with two different finishing diets. Steaks aged for 7 and 21 days were assessed by both untrained and trained sensory panels. A significant association and allelic substitution effect were observed for markers UoG-CAST , LEP: g.73C > T and SCD1: g.878T > C on different descriptors evaluated by a consumer panel (tenderness and overall acceptability). There are no precedents of these kinds of association studies in a Spanish commercial population. The study suggested that CAST, LEP and SCD1 genes have a potential effect on the different measurements of sensory meat quality.