Comparison of the thermal characteristics of connective tissue in loose structured and normal structured porcine M. semimembranosus

The aim of the present study was to characterise the thermal properties of connective tissue in loose structured porcine SM muscles in comparison to normal looking SM muscles and to see whether the meat quality traits were related to the properties of connective tissue. Samples from the muscles with loose structure and light colour were selected by visual assessment and normal looking SM muscles were used as a control (n = 25 loose structured + 25 control). The loose structured muscles had lower ultimate pH (pH_u) than the control muscles. The onset and peak temperatures of thermal shrinkage of intramuscular connective tissue (T_o and T_p, respectively) in loose structured muscles were similar to those of control muscles when the full set of data (25 loose structured + 25 control) were analysed. When the T_o and T_p data from muscles the exhibiting ten lowest and ten highest pH_u values were analysed, the low pH_u muscles (all classified as loose structured) had lower T_o and T_p than the high pH_u muscles (all classified as control) (p < 0.05). Drip loss of loose structured SM muscles (11.1%) was dramatically higher than that of control muscles (3.9%). Collagen content and collagen solubility were similar in loose structured and control muscles. It seemed that changes in the properties of intramuscular connective tissue were more easier found in porcine SM muscles with low pH_u than in SM muscles with high pH_u.     

Muscle fiber properties and thermal stability of intramuscular connective tissue in porcine M. semimembranosus

BACKGROUND: Strips can be easily peeled from raw destructured pork (M. semimembranosus, SM muscle) by hand but in normal meat these strips break. In general, destructured meat is pale in color. Porcine SM muscles have thick muscle fibers which could predispose them to destructuration. This study investigated whether the onset and peak temperatures of thermal shrinkage (T_o and T_p) of intramuscular connective tissue from SM muscles were associated with muscle fiber thickness, capillary density or extracellular space. We also investigated whether these muscle fiber properties of destructured muscles differed from those of normal muscles. RESULTS: The destructured and normal muscles were similar in muscle fiber cross‐sectional area, capillary density, extracellular space and sarcomere length. T_o correlated negatively with sarcomere length. The water content of differential scanning calorimetry samples consisting of intramuscular connective tissue was higher in destructured muscles than in normal muscles. CONCLUSION: Muscle fiber properties (muscle fiber cross‐sectional area and sarcomere length) and capillary density are similar in destructured and normal SM muscles. T_o and T_p of intramuscular connective tissue are similar in destructured and normal muscles. Muscle fiber properties show no association with the thermal shrinkage properties of intramuscular connective tissue. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Thermal properties of connective tissue in breast and leg muscles of chickens and turkeys

BACKGROUND: There is a need to characterise connective tissue of chicken and turkey as they can be involved in meat defects. This study focused on the content and thermal stability of intramuscular connective tissue. A comparison between breast and leg muscles and between 38‐day‐old chickens (Ross 502) and 110‐111‐day‐old turkeys (Nicholas 300) commercially produced in Finland was made. RESULTS: Collagen content of breast muscles was lower than that of leg muscles (approx. 2.4 mg g^?1 vs. 4.0 mg g^?1, respectively, P < 0.05), but collagen content was similar in chickens and turkeys. The percentage of soluble collagen in chicken muscles was higher than that in turkey muscles (P < 0.05). In chickens, more soluble collagen was found in leg muscles than in breast muscles (P < 0.05). Chicken breast muscles had higher onset temperature of thermal shrinkage (T_o) of intramuscular connective tissue than turkey breast muscles (P < 0.05). Chicken leg muscles had higher peak temperature of thermal shrinkage (T_p) of intramuscular connective tissue than turkey leg muscles (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Chickens and turkeys had similar collagen content and T_o and T_p despite the species, age and muscle difference. However, the higher collagen solubility in chickens than in turkeys indicated that collagen was less matured in chickens than in turkeys. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Influence of ultimate pH on biochemistry and quality of Longissimus lumborum steaks from Nellore bulls during ageing

Ultimate pH (pH_u) is an indicator that influences post-mortem meat quality. We studied physiological and biochemical changes of steaks obtained from Nellore bulls (Bos indicus) during post-mortem ageing. To this, Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscles were classified into three groups: Normal-pH_u (≤5.79), Intermediate-pH_u (5.80–6.29) and High-pH_u (≥6.30) groups, portioned into steaks, vacuum packaged and matured at 2 °C for 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. High-pH_u steaks exhibited impaired colour stability and were darker compared to the other groups. High- and Normal-pH_u steaks showed improved tenderness and myofibrillar fragmentation linked to proteolysis. Intermediate-pH_u steaks were associated with a lower meat tenderness and decreased collagen solubility. High-pH_u steaks retained a high pH during ageing and increased water-holding capacity. These findings provide evidence that highlight pH_u as a strategy for the classification of pH_u-dependent beef quality from Nellore bulls that can be adopted by the Brazilian meat industry.     

Relationship between rate of post mortem pH fall and ageing of Longissimus muscle in pietrain pigs

Twenty-six pietrain pigs exhibiting wide variability in pH₄₅ (pH value 45 min post mortem) values were used to assess the mechanical behaviour of cooked and raw Longissimus muscle at 24 h and 8 days post mortem. Rheological behaviour was studied in compression under strain conditions which allow specific determination of myofibrillar resistance. The muscles were divided into three groups on the basis of pH₄₅ values: (Severe pale, soft and exudative (PSE), pH₄₅ = 5.49 ± 0.03 (n = 9); PSE pH₄₅ = 5.78 ± 0.04 (n = 10); Normal, pH₄₅ = 6.35 ± 0.05 (n = 7). The three groups did not differ significantly for ultimate pH (pH_u = 5.57 ± 0.02 for the 26 muscles). A lower mechanical resistance of raw samples was found in the Normal group, regardless of the time post mortem. Although this difference was not significant, a significant relationship was found between this trait and pH₄₅ at both times post mortem (r = ?0.43, P < 0.05, at 24 h and r = ?0.44, P < 0.05, at 8 days post mortem). However, no significant effect of pH₄₅ was found on the mechanical resistance of cooked muscles. The relative decrease in myofibrillar strength after an 8-day ageing period was not affected by pH₄₅ but this was due to the fact that the three groups exhibited different starting points. Mechanical resistance of raw and cooked muscles at 24 h post mortem were significantly related to pH_u (r = ?0.55, P < 0.01, and r = ?0.49, P < 0.05, respectively). The present results show that after an 8-day ageing period, PSE muscles are not fully aged.     

Phospholipase A2 and antioxidant enzyme activities in normal and PSE pork

In order to reveal the relationship between phospholipase A₂ and antioxidant enzymes and drip loss in pork, the study was designed to examine the effects of phospholipase A₂ and antioxidant enzymes on the water-holding capacity of pork during postmortem chilling. Six PSE and RFN samples (longissimus muscle) were used to determine the activities of phospholipase A₂ (tPLA_2, cPLA₂ + sPLA₂ and iPLA₂), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and GSH-Px, and acid phospholipase. The results showed that pH_1 h and pH_24 h from PSE pork were lower (p < 0.01) than for normal pork (RFN), but the L* value at 1 h and 24 h postmortem, TBARS content, drip loss at 48 h and 96 h, cooking loss, tPLA₂ activity and iPLA₂ were higher (p < 0.01) than of normal pork. Correlation analysis indicated that drip loss at 48 h was negatively related to pH_1 h (p < 0.01) and pH_24 h (p < 0.01) but positively to T_1 h (p < 0.01) and the activities of total phospholipase A₂ (p < 0.05) and calcium-independent phospholipases A₂ (p < 0.01). The tPLA₂ and GSH-Px play important roles in drip loss.     

The effects of mixing,transport and duration of lairage on carcass characteristics in commercial bacon weight pigs

On arrival at the factory commercial crossbred pigs were subjected to various treatments: (i) penned in producer lots; (ii) mixed with pigs from another producer and (iii) mixed and subjected to an additional transport of 1-1.5h duration. Groups of pigs were killed on the day of arrival or after overnight lairage. Carcass parameters including pH₁ (pH 45 min post mortem) and pH_u (pH 20 h post mortem) values of the Longissimus dorsi (LD) and adductor muscles were taken post mortem. Mixing and transport had no statistically significant effect on any of the carcass parameters measured, although overnight lairage resulted in significant decreases in hot carcass weight, killing-out percentage and liver weight. The incidence of carcasses classified as pale soft and exudative [PSE (muscles with a pH₁ of 5.9 or less)] or dark firm dry [DFD (muscles with a pH_u of 6.2 or greater)] was high after both normal and overnight lairage. pH₁ and pH_u values of the LD and adductor muscles were not significantly affected by mixing or transport. Statistically significant differences in the incidence of DFD between treatment groups were observed. In general the incidence of DFD increased more after overnight lairage in pigs penned in producer lots, than in pigs penned in mixed producer lots.     

The expression of genes PKM2 and CAST in the muscle tissue of pigs differentiated by glycolytic potential and drip loss, with reference to the genetic group

The present studies aimed at an analysis of the expression level of genes PKM2 and CAST in Longissimus lumborum [LL] muscle tissue of pigs differing as regards the glycolytic potential [GP] and drip loss [DL] from the LL muscle, with reference to the genetic group. The studies covered a total of 65 pigs: 20 purebred Landrace [L], 22 crossbreeds of Landrace with the Yorkshire [L × Y] and 23 three-breed crosses (Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc [(L × Y) × D]. In the case of gene PKM2 one may observe in (L × Y) × D crossbreds, compared to L × Y crossbreds, an increased expression, closely related with the increase in dry matter content, including intramuscular fat, as well as a more favourable progress of glycolytic and energy metabolism during the early time post mortem (pH₄₅ and R₁). Compared with Landrace animals, the lower expression of the CAST gene observed in (L × Y) × D pigs is manifested by a marked improvement of meat quality (R₁ pH₄₅ pH₂₄, pH₄₈), arising from the rate of glycolytic and energy metabolism, typical for normal meat, that in effect results in its higher culinary and technological value.     

The protection of bovine skeletal myofibrils from proteolytic damage post mortem by small heat shock proteins

This study aimed to determine how small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) protect myofibrillar proteins from μ-calpain degradation during ageing. Immunoprecipitation experiments with M. longissimus dorsi (LD) from Angus heifers (n = 14) examined the interaction between αβ-crystallin, desmin, titin, HSP20, HSP27 and μ-calpain. Results showed that αβ-crystallin associated with desmin, titin, HSP20, HSP27 and μ-calpain. Exogenous αβ-crystallin reduced desmin and titin degradations in myofibrillar extracts and attenuated μ-calpain activity. In a second experiment, bull LD (n = 94) were aged at − 1.5 °C for up to 28 days post mortem. μ-Calpain autolysed faster in high ultimate pH (pH_u) meat (pH_u ≥ 6.2) and this was concomitant with the more rapid degradation of titin and filamin in this pH_u group. Desmin stability in intermediate pH_u meat (pH_u 5.8 to 6.19) may be due to the protection of myofibril-bound sHSPs combined with the competitive inhibition of μ-calpain by sHSPs.     

Variation in bull beef quality due to ultimate muscle pH is correlated to endopeptidase and small heat shock protein levels

This study set out to determine if ultimate pH (pH_u) affected the performance of intracellular small heat shock protein and endopeptidase dynamics in muscle during beef ageing. Longissimus dorsi muscles from 39 Angus or Limousin × Angus bulls were examined to see if pH_u achieved at 22 h post mortem (rigor) affected tenderness and water holding capacity of beef. Samples were segregated into three pH_u groups termed high (pH > 6.3), intermediate (5.7 < pH < 6.3) and low (pH < 5.7) pH_u beef. More than 30% of bull beef did not achieve acceptable tenderness at 8 days post mortem with this ageing regime. No significant differences in calpain or cathepsin enzyme levels due to meat pH were observed until after 22 h post mortem, but low pH_u beef had elevated caspase 3/7 activity soon after slaughter. At 22 h post mortem, greater levels of μ-calpain enzyme were found in the high and intermediate pH_u beef and cathepsin B levels were superior in the low pH_u beef after 2 days post mortem. Different rates of desmin and troponin T protein degradation were also observed in aged bull beef. Both proteins were degraded within 6 h post mortem for high pH_u beef, but took >3 days post mortem for intermediate pH_u beef. High levels of alpha β-crystallin (aβC) at 22 h post mortem coincided with delayed muscle protein degradation for low pH_u beef. Our results support the hypothesis that aβC shields myofibrils and buffers against endopeptidase degradation of beef structure during ageing.     

Effect of beef ultimate pH and large structural protein changes with aging on meat tenderness

This study investigated the effect of ultimate pH (pH_u) in beef on the degradation of large structural proteins during refrigerated storage using SDS-PAGE. M. longissimus dorsi from bull carcasses were selected and classified into three groups: low pH_u (≤ 5.79), intermediate pH_u (5.80–6.19) and high pH_u (≥ 6.2) muscles. Samples were then stored at − 1.5 °C for 1, 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Meat tenderness was measured at each aging time. Depending on meat pH_u, different protein patterns and degradation rates of structural proteins were found. Rapid changes of large structural proteins took place within 48 h post mortem. Besides titin and nebulin, degradation of filamin was clearly revealed. Two more large protein bands corresponding to myosin family members also exhibited fast decline with storage time. It suggested that the fast degradation of these proteins is a key factor in the improvement of meat tenderness.     

New insights on the characteristics of starch network

This study investigated the roles of granule-associated proteins (0.16% w/w d.b.) in mungbean starch (MBS, Vigna radiata (L) Wilczec) on the microstructural and thermo-mechanical properties of MBS gel and thermoplastic. Gelatinization at high water content (9–13% w/w) and intermediate water content (40–60% w/w) ranges generated microscopic multi-phase structure of swollen MBS granules, separated starch-rich phase and separated protein-rich phase. The presence of 50 mM calcium lactate plus 25 mM cysteine lowered the compressive stress of MBS gels at high water content range, increased T_o, T_p and T_e of MBS slurries at intermediate water contents, and lowered the storage modulus of the protein-rich phase in thermoplastic MBS at its T_g (P < 0.05). This study revealed the new insights on the significance of granule-associated proteins in the regulation of the envelope permeability, the leaching of starch and the thermo-mechanical characteristics of starch network over a wide range of water contents.     

The association between polymorphism of PKM2 gene and glycolytic potential and pork meat quality

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of PKM2 gene with glycolytic potential and meat quality traits in three groups of fatteners – Landrace, Landrace × Yorkshire and (Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc. The present study was conducted on 243 fatteners, free of RYR1^T gene, which 95 were of Landrace breed and the rest were the following crosses: 66 – Landrace × Yorkshire and 82 (Landrace × Yorkshire) × Duroc. It has been stated, that PKM2 gene (independently from the breed) was significantly associated with GP, lactate content, R₁ indicator, pH and drip loss. The presence of TT genotype may lead to increase of GP and lactate content and results in low pH₂₄ and pH₁₄₄ and bigger drip loss measured 96 and 144 h after the slaughter. Except for the landrace fatteners, the association of the PKM2 gene with the glycogen content has not been statistically confirmed. Statistically confirmed interaction shows, that the association of PKM2 gene with glycolytic potential and glycogen content concerns mainly the Landrace pigs. Moreover, a high (almost 89%) conformability of the genotype of PKM2 gene with the RN⁻ phenotype, can serve as an additional argument in favour of the thesis.     

Relationships Between Some Physicochemical Properties of Starches from Maize Cultivars Grown in East China

Granule size, amylose content, degree of crystallinity, thermal, pasting, and gel textural properties of starches separated from thirty seven maize cultivars grown in East China were studied with a laser particle size analyzer, spectrophotometer, X‐ray diffractometer, differential scanning calorimeter, Rapid Visco Analyser, and texture analyzer. Various correlations between the physicochemical properties were observed. The correlation coefficient between T_o and T_p, between T_o and T_c, and between T_p and T_c were 0.967, 0.879, and 0.941 (p<0.01), respectively. Amylose content was correlated negatively with T_c (r=‐0.640, p<0.01). Pasting temperature was positively correlated to T_p (r=0.738, p<0.01). Significantly positive correlations were observed between amylose content and final viscosity, between amylose content and setback (r=0.665 and 0.735, respectively, p<0.01) and between peak viscosity and breakdown (r=0.893, p<0.01). Trough viscosity was positively correlated to final viscosity and setback (r=0.851 and 0.704, respectively, p<0.01). Significant correlations existed between final viscosity and setback, and hardness (r=0.972 and 0.615, respectively, p<0.01). There was a significant interrelationship between setback and hardness (r=0.655, p<0.01).     

The effect of ageing on changes in myofibrillar protein in selected muscles in relation to the tenderness of meat obtained from cross‐breed heifers

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the ageing on changes in selected myofibrillar proteins and Warner–Bratzler shear force values in muscles from cross‐breed Charolaise × Holstein Friesian heifers. Triceps brachii (TB), infraspinatus (IS), vastus lateralis (VL), semimembranosus (SM), biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinous (ST) muscles after ageing were examined. A significant muscle effect was found in the case of basic chemical composition, Warner–Bratzler shear force values and cooking loss. The vastus lateralis characterised by the lowest intramuscular fat percentage (P ≤ 0.05). The highest connective tissue content was shown for infraspinatus. This muscle had the lowest Warner–Bratzler shear force values in every ageing time, regardless of the cooking method. Throughout the ageing process, selected myofibrillar proteins were altered in all examined muscles, but at varying rates. The SDS‐PAGE electrophoresis and Western blotting analysis showed that desmin and troponin‐T degradation affected both muscles and ageing effects (P ≤ 0.001).     

Thermo‐rheological and functional properties of gamma‐irradiated wholewheat flour

The effects of different doses (0, 0.5, 1, 2.5, 5 and 10 kGy) of gamma irradiation on the thermal, rheological and functional properties of the wholewheat flour were evaluated. Water and oil absorption capacity of the flour increased from 85.92% to 91.44% and 1.10 to 1.91 g g^?1 of flour, respectively, with increase in irradiation dose. The dough development time decreased with dose from 4.0 to 3.0 min. The transition temperatures (T_o, T_p and T_c) decreased as the dose increased; enthalpy of gelatinisation (?H) decreased from 5.18 to 4.27 J g^?1 with dose. The flow behaviour showed a shear‐thinning behaviour, and the hysteresis area decreased with dose. The structural recovery decreased with dose. FTIR did not show formation of any new chemical groups.     

A note on the discoloration of frozen porcine muscle,stored under fluorescent illumination,as influenced by an artificially induced high pH in the meat

The effect of an artificially induced high ultimate pH (pH_u, measured at 24 h post mortem), on metmyoglobin formation in frozen porcine muscles was investigated. The muscles were exposed to white fluorescent illumination whilst under storage at – 10°C. The results indicated that an artificially induced high pH was effective in retarding metmyoglobin formation in frozen muscles.     

Beef carcasses with larger eye muscle areas,lower ossification scores and improved nutrition have a lower incidence of dark cutting

This study evaluated the effect of eye muscle area (EMA), ossification, carcass weight, marbling and rib fat depth on the incidence of dark cutting (pH_u > 5.7) using routinely collected Meat Standards Australia (MSA) data. Data was obtained from 204,072 carcasses at a Western Australian processor between 2002 and 2008. Binomial data of pH_u compliance was analysed using a logit model in a Bayesian framework. Increasing eye muscle area from 40 to 80 cm², increased pH_u compliance by around 14% (P < 0.001) in carcasses less than 350 kg. As carcass weight increased from 150 kg to 220 kg, compliance increased by 13% (P < 0.001) and younger cattle with lower ossification were also 7% more compliant (P < 0.001). As rib fat depth increased from 0 to 20 mm, pH_u compliance increased by around 10% (P < 0.001) yet marbling had no effect on dark cutting. Increasing musculature and growth combined with good nutrition will minimise dark cutting beef in Australia.     

The effect of interaction between genotype CAST/RsaI (calpastatin) and MYOG/MspI (myogenin) on carcass and meat quality in pigs free of RYR1(T) allele

The purpose of the studies was to demonstrate to what degree genotypes of calpastatin (CAST/RsaI) and myogenin (MYOG) genes as well as the interaction between them may affect the carcass and meat quality of pigs. The investigations were conducted on 397 stress resistant pigs (free of RYR1^T allele). It was demonstrated that the favourable effect of the variants of CAST and MYOG genes on carcass quality traits depends on the cut. The gene variant favourably affecting the weight of ham simultaneously had a negative effect on the weight of the loin. It was also shown that the interaction between CAST and MYOG genotypes has a significant effect on backfat thickness. The effect of a given combination of CAST and MYOG genotypes on carcass traits is related to the weight of a substantial cut (ham, loin).Genotypes at loci CAST/RsaI and MYOG have a significant effect on the value of certain traits and parameters of meat quality and its technological value (genotype CAST on pH at 35 min and 2, 3, 24, 48, 96, 144 h post-mortem (pH₃₅, pH₂, pH₃, pH₂₄, pH₄₈, pH₉₆, pH₁₄₄, respectively), R₁ (IMP/ATP), electrical conductivity at 3 and 4 h post-mortem (EC₃, EC₄), technological yield of meat in curing and thermal processing (TY) and protein content in the muscle tissue, while genotype MYOG on pH₄₈, EC₃₅, EC₃, EC₂₄ and dry matter content).     

Effect of pre-slaughter handling on the quality and microbiology of venison from farmed young red deer

Young stags, castrates and hinds, raised on heathery hill pasture were subjected to three levels of stress prior to slaughter. They were either individually penned overnight and shot, confined in threes in a pen overnight and stunned by captive bolt or confined in threes in a wire fenced pen overnight and then agitated by an older deer for 2 h and finally stunned by captive bolt. Some 30% of the stag and castrate carcasses had high ultimate pH (pH_u≥6.0) and the venison from these exhibited typical dark cutting appearance. The pH_u of the hind carcasses was <5.5. Overall there was no significant difference in pH_u between stressed and unstressed groups, but the incidence of high pH_u was greatest in the severely stressed stags and castrates. Texture of roasted M. semimembranosus pH_u of <6.0 was slightly to moderately tender and the high pH_u venison was very tender. Stress level did not affect the microbiological condition of the freshly skinned carcasses or the total viable counts on joints during storage at 1°C.