Abstract：In light of indefinite marbling characteristics in China＇s beef grading systems, a mathematical method was presented to characterize beef marbling based on geometric, distribution and shape parameters. Using chosen characteristic parameters playing an important role in beef marbling grading, the standard beef marbling images from the United States, Japan and China were studied to find the emphasis point of each country＇s beef marbling standard. The chosen characteristic parameters were correlated to eliminate the highly correlated features from the original ones. Principal component analysis was used for linear combination of the affecting parameters of beef marbling and the appropriate principal components were selected for establish- ing a marbling grading prediction model.
2011, Vol. 25 
