**5. Conclusions**

Research on tropical beef quality and composition is reported from a limited number of countries, a consequence of a lack of access to research funding, resources and infrastructure. Studies that are reported have often been based on a piecemeal approach, using limited numbers of animals and short durations. Regardless, consolidating the findings from these studies has allowed the demonstration of an axiomatic basis defining "tropical beef" as a concept.

Tropical beef is the meat obtained from cattle raised in tropical environments. The majority of the tropical cattle population remains largely uncharacterized, and production systems in the Tropics are diverse, but converge on the use of indigenous and *Bos indicus* breeds or *Bos indicus*-influenced crossbreeds under pasture feeding regimes. No one gender is used throughout tropical production systems, and while some systems allow cattle to be slaughtered at ≤2 years of age, generally, animals are ≥3 years at slaughter. These production systems generally produce lean, low-yielding carcasses and tough (>46 N), lean ( ≤3.6% IMF) meat, with a macronutrient composition otherwise similar to beef from animals raised elsewhere (72–74% moisture and 20–24% protein). Fatty acid profiles depend on the breed and production systems, while mineral content is influenced by the environment. Although lean and tough, tropical beef is highly acceptable to the consumers it serves and is culturally and traditionally relevant. In many countries, tropical cattle have important functions, ranging from the provision of food and income to socio-economic and cultural roles. Indeed, tropical cattle contribute to food security and income in developing regions, particularly for smallholder beef farmers for whom producing meat in a sustainable manner is an important challenge.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Acknowledgments:** The authors would like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Diana Sofia Andrade Chacon in the writing of this review.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflict of interest.
