A Case Study: Influence of Moon Phases on Weight Loss in Chilled Beef Carcasses

By Eben van Tonder, 26 Dec 2024

Background

In Nigeria, beef quarters are received at the processing plant typically 2 to 4 hours post-slaughter. Upon arrival, the quarters are sanitized through a washing process, weighed, and hung on a rail system in preparation for chilling. The carcasses are stored in a chiller maintained at +3°C for 12 hours, after which they are re-weighed to determine weight loss. This study investigates potential correlations between weight loss and moon phases, referencing anecdotal beliefs from Europe, India, China, and Africa, which suggest that lunar phases may influence water retention and release in biological systems.

Objective

The objective of this study is to analyze weight loss data for chilled beef carcasses to determine if there is any statistically significant correlation with moon phases, particularly focusing on ancient traditions that suggest the waxing moon retains moisture while the waning moon promotes water release.

Methods

  1. Data Collection: Beef quarters were weighed immediately upon arrival and again 12 hours after being placed in the +3°C chiller. The percentage weight loss was calculated for each batch.
  2. Moon Phase Assignment: Each date was assigned a moon phase (waxing, waning, full moon, or new moon) using an approximate lunar phase calculation.
  3. Outlier Removal: Data outliers were removed using the interquartile range (IQR) method to improve accuracy.
  4. Analysis: Statistical analyses, including ANOVA and descriptive statistics, were conducted to determine if weight loss varied significantly across moon phases. The results were contextualized within the framework of traditional beliefs from Europe, India, China, and Africa.

Results

  1. Descriptive Statistics:
    • Waxing Moon: Mean weight loss = 2.09%, Standard Deviation = 0.41%.
    • Waning Moon: Mean weight loss = 2.49%, Standard Deviation = 0.52%.
    • Full Moon: Mean weight loss = 2.32%, Standard Deviation = 0.31%.
    • New Moon: Mean weight loss = 2.23%, Standard Deviation = 0.40%.
  2. ANOVA Results:
    • After recalculating moon phases and excluding outliers, the ANOVA F-statistic was 1.63 with a p-value of 0.222. This indicates no statistically significant difference in weight loss between the moon phases.
  3. Observations:
    • Weight loss during the waning moon was slightly higher than during other phases, aligning with traditional beliefs that the waning moon promotes water release.
    • Weight loss during the waxing moon was the lowest, supporting the notion of moisture retention in this phase.

Discussion

The observed trends align with anecdotal traditions from various cultures:

  • Europe (Austria and Germany): Farmers historically believed that animals slaughtered during a waxing moon retained more water, while the waning moon promoted drying and water release. The slight increase in weight loss during the waning moon in this study reflects this belief.
  • China: Traditional Chinese practices often associate the waxing moon with vitality and retention, while the waning moon is seen as a period of decline and release. The data aligns with these observations, though the differences are not statistically significant.
  • India and Africa: Folklore in these regions similarly links the moon’s gravitational influence with water dynamics, including moisture retention and release in biological systems. The data trends support these ideas but require further investigation to establish causality.

Conclusion

This study found no statistically significant correlation between moon phases and weight loss in chilled beef carcasses. However, slight trends observed in the data align with traditional beliefs from various cultures:

  • The waning moon showed the highest mean weight loss, suggesting increased water release.
  • The waxing moon showed the lowest mean weight loss, indicating better moisture retention.

Recommendations

  1. Further Studies: Additional studies with larger datasets and extended timeframes are recommended to validate these observations.
  2. Environmental Factors: Future analyses should incorporate other factors such as humidity, temperature fluctuations, and carcass handling practices to isolate potential lunar effects.
  3. Cultural Integration: Insights from this study can be communicated to local farmers and processors, leveraging traditional beliefs to optimize slaughter and processing schedules.

Limitations

  • The study’s statistical power was limited by sample size and variability within the data.
  • Moon phase assignments were approximate and may benefit from more precise astronomical calculations.

Acknowledgements

This study appreciates the historical and cultural insights from Austrian, German, Chinese, Indian, and African traditions, providing a unique context for exploring biological dynamics in meat processing.

Prepared by: Eben van Tonder Date: 26.12.24