Abstract
The HunterLab MiniScan (HunterLab) colorimeter is used in meat quality research worldwide for measuring meat color; however, the Nix Pro Color Sensor (Nix) could be a less expensive alternative that is easier to operate. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the two colorimeters to objectively evaluate fresh beef color. Longissimus thoracis muscle from one side of A maturity beef carcasses (n = 200) was evaluated using both the HunterLab (3 technical replicate scans) and Nix (3, 5, 7, and 9 technical replicate scans) colorimeters. The correlation between the HunterLab and Nix for L* (lightness), a* (redness), and b* (yellowness) values ranged between r = 0.80 to 0.85 and the Bland Altman Limits of Agreement analysis indicated good agreement between the Nix and HunterLab colorimeters for all the color parameters. These results indicated that the Nix colorimeter could be a viable alternative for HunterLab colorimeters.

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CS performed the data collection and wrote the MS, ER and JS helped with the data collection and manuscript editing, AM helped with the statistical analysis, IG and KB reviewed and edited the manuscript, and MN conceived the idea, supervised the work and edited the manuscript.
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Schelkopf, C.S., Rice, E.A., Swenson, J.K. et al. Nix Pro Color Sensor provides comparable color measurements to HunterLab colorimeter for fresh beef. J Food Sci Technol 58, 3661–3665 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-021-05077-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-021-05077-6