Early Postmortem Detection of Exudative Pork Meat Based on Nucleotide Content

The content of nucleotide metabolites in the muscle L. dorsi was analyzed for the detection of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) pork meats at just 2 h postmortem. PSE meat was characterized by significantly lower (p < 0.05) amounts of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and higher adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP), inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP), inosine (ino) and hypoxanthine (hyp) than normal meat. IMP and ino classified all the samples from both groups with statistical significance (p < 0.05). The K₀ value, R' value and IMP/ATP ratios were also useful indicators for full distinction of PSE meats. Thus, the assay of any of these nucleotide metabolites may allow a good detection of PSE meats at very short, only 2 h, postmortem time.     

Analysis of ATP and Its Breakdown Products in Beef by Reversed-Phase HPLC

Analytical conditions for the quantitative determination of adenosine 5′-triphosphate(ATP), adenosine 5′-diphosphate(ADP), inosine 5′-monophosphate(IMP), adenosine 5′-monophosphate(AMP), hypoxanthine(Hyp), xanthine(Xan), inosine(Ino) and adenosine(Ado) in meat extracts by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were examined. A commercial ODS column with a 5-μm particle diameter was used, and expeimental parameters affecting the separation were discussed. Peaks in chromatograms of meat extracts were identified by retention time, co-injection with standards, absorbance ratios and the enzymatic peak shift method. The procedure proposed was adaptable as an indication of freshness of meat.     

Post-mortem Degradation of Adenine Nucleotides in Muscle of the Lobster, Homarus americanus

SUMMARY— Thin-layer chromatography showed that postmortem degradation of adenine nucleotides in the tail muscle of lobster (Homarus americanus) followed the route: adeno-sine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) → adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) → adenosine S'monophosphate (AMP) → inosine 5'-mono-phosphate (IMP) + inosine (Ino) → hypoxanthine (Hx). KCI extracts (0.6M) also degraded ATP by this route. Such extracts contained a weak AMP-aminohydrolase activity that was activated by ATP, but no adenosine aminohydrolase could be detected. Neither of these aminohydrolases were found in extracts made with water or 0.0244 K-succinate.     

Storage of Yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) White and Dark Muscles in Ice: Changes in Content of Adenine Nucleotides and Related Compounds

Adenine nucleotides and their related compounds in white and dark muscles of yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata were measured and compared during ice storage. In white muscle, adenosine 5′-triphosphate was degraded rapidly to inosine 5′-monophosphate, which then underwent gradual build-up of inosine (HxR). In dark muscle, HxR accumulated very rapidly and the K value, a freshness index, thus increased at a greater initial rate than in the white muscle (62 vs 3%/day). Urate occurred in a small amount only in the white muscle stored for over 40 days (0.2 μmole/g), while little was found in the dark muscle during the entire storage period. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which existed in both the fresh white and dark muscles (0.8 vs 0.4 μmole/g), decreased rapidly in the early stage of storage.     

Extractive Components of the Adductor Muscle of Japanese Baking Scallop and Changes During Refrigerated Storage

The changes in concentration of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and related compounds were examined as well as free amino acids, organic acids, betaines, glycogen and glycolytic metabolites in the Japanese baking scallop (Pecten albicans) during storage at 0° and 5°C. High amounts of free amino acids and glycine betaine were found. Adenosine monophosphate, inosine and hypoxanthine accumulated during storage, but inosine monophosphate was not detected. Hypoxanthine concentration was considered more appropriate as a freshness index than K value. Taurine, glycine and arginine were the main free amino acids and accounted for 91% of the total immediately after death. D-lactate increased, but no substantial change of L-lactate was detected during storage.     

Concentration of Creatine Phosphate, Adenine Nucleotides and Their Derivatives in Electrically Stimulated and Nonstimulated Beef Muscle

The concentration of creatine phosphate (CP), adenosine tri-, di- and monophosphate (ATP, ADP and AMP, respectively), inosine monophosphate (IMP) and inosine in longissimus muscle removed from electrically stimulated (ES) and nonstimulated (NS) beef sides was enzymatically determined. After aging the carcass 7 days, steaks were removed for flavor evaluation. R values (absorbance ratios) were obtained from muscle samples removed over time from both sides. Data indicate more rapid catabolism of CP, ATP, and ADP in ES samples, with subsequent fluctuations in IMP and inosine concentration. At 12 and 24 hr post-stimulation, ES samples had more inosine; however, this difference did not exist after aging. Flavor differences were not observed after the 7-day aging period. R values parallel the degradation of adenine nucleotides and indicate rapid onset of rigor mortis in ES muscle.     

POSTMORTEM CHANGES IN QUALITY INDICES OF ICE-STORED FLOUNDER (PARALICHTHYS PATAGONICUS)

The characteristics of flounder (Paralichthys patagonicus) were evaluated during a 12‐day period of storage in ice by monitoring the biochemical, microbiological and sensory parameters. The adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate and adenosine‐5′‐diphosphate were not detected, and the initial content of adenosine‐5′‐monophosphate (AMP) rapidly decreased to zero. Inosine‐5′‐monophosphate (IMP) but not adenosine (Ado) was present in muscle extracts. The AMP deaminase activity was found in the muscle. Conversely, the Ado deaminase activity was not detected. A 55% decrease in IMP concentration occurred during the first 2 days of storage. The inosine content was barely detectable (<0.1 μmol/g), probably because of the high nucleoside phosphorylase activity in the muscle. Hypoxanthine significantly (P < 0.01) increased up to the seventh day and then remained approximately constant. The muscle pH fluctuated between 6.6 and 7.0. The iced flounder was microbiologically acceptable for up to 7 days with aerobic plate counts reaching <10⁷ cfu/g. The sensory score, determined by the Quality Index Method, linearly increased (r² = 0.96) with the keeping time. All the parameters, including the K‐value, indicated that the shelf life of iced flounder was 7 days.     

包装方式和宰后不同时间包装对羊肉品质的影响

为探究包装方式和宰后不同时间包装对羊肉贮藏品质的影响,本研究对宰后1 h热分割羊肉和冷却成熟24 h后的分割羊肉分别进行热收缩包装、真空包装、贴体包装、50%（体积分数,下同）O2+50%CO2气调包装,测定其在（2±2）℃贮藏过程中pH值、色泽、贮藏损失率、蒸煮损失率、离心损失率、剪切力、挥发性气味的变化。结果表明：与宰后24 h包装相比,宰后1 h包装羊肉pH值在贮藏14 d时更高,但其贮藏期间色泽较好,色泽稳定性更高,贮藏损失率更低。从整体来看,3种真空处理（热收缩包装、真空包装、贴体包装）羊肉嫩度均优于气调包装羊肉,且宰后1 h包装时真空条件处理对羊肉嫩化效果最好,宰后24 h羊肉在贮藏前期气调包装对羊肉嫩化效果较好;而无论何时包装,热收缩包装和气调包装羊肉贮藏损失率均显著小于其他处理组（P<0.05）,在贮藏前期色泽及稳定性较好,但贮藏后期色泽稳定性下降明显,气调包装羊肉在14 d时已部分发绿,贮藏21 d时挥发性气味变化显著。综上,宰后1 h包装有利于提高羊肉贮藏期间色泽及持水力,改善真空处理羊肉嫩度,宰后24 h包装可提高50%O2+50%CO2气调包装羊肉贮藏前期...     

Development and application of a liquid chromatographic method for analysis of nucleotides and nucleosides in milk and infant formulas

A method for the simultaneous determination in milk of the 5′-mononucleotides adenosine 5′-monophosphate, cytidine 5′-monophosphate, guanosine 5′-monophosphate, inosine 5′-monophosphate and uridine 5′-monophosphate and their corresponding nucleosides is described. Following deproteinisation, the sample extract was analysed by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, whereby chromatographic separation was achieved using a polymer grafted silica C₁₈ column, gradient elution with a simple binary mobile phase and UV detection by photodiode array. Performance parameters included recoveries of 95.5–105.2% and precision evaluated as 3.42–6.38% relative standard deviation. The described technique has been applied to the analysis of bovine and human milk, a range of commercial bovine milk-based infant and follow-on formulas, a seasonal study of skim milk powders and an assessment of alkaline phosphatase influence on nucleotide retention.     

Adenosine Triphosphate Catabolites as Flavor Compounds and Freshness Indicators in Pacific Cod (Gadus macrocephalus) and Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma)

Postmortem formation of 5′-inosine monophosphate, inosine and hypoxanthine in Pacific cod and pollock fillets during chilled storage was monitored over a two week period. Accumulation of hypoxanthine in Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) fillets proceeded more slowly than has been reported for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) but similar to North Sea cod (Gadus callarias L.). For both both cod and pollock, hypoxanthine was negatively correlated with flavor and desirability (p < 0.01), while both inosine and 5′-inosine monophosphate were positively correlated with overall desirability (p < 0.01).     

Effects of meat quality and storage on the breakdown of adenosine triphosphate in muscle from swine

The quality of pork is dependent on animal genotype, pre-slaughter handling, processing, maturation, and storage. We investigated the pattern of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) breakdown as it related to these factors. Samples of the thoracis portion of the longissimus dorsi muscle were obtained from 19 randomly selected German Landrace-Pietrain crossbreed swine. Based on their 40 min post-mortem pH and electrical conductances, three groups were classified: (1) PSE meat, pH ≤ 5·6 and conductance >10 mS (n = 7); (2) intermediate quality, pH 5·6-6·0 and conductance between 4 and 10 mS (n = 5); and (3) normal quality, pH ≥ 6·0 and conductance < mS (n = 7). Hence, the animals investigated included those susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (porcine stress-syndrome). Twenty-four hours post mortem samples were evaluated for the following parameters: ATP metabolism, pH values, electrical conductance, meat colour, water binding capacity, shear force and general composition (i.e. total protein, fat, mineral and water contents). Muscle composition was the same in each group, but for the other parameters there were clear differences. Following different storage periods and conditions (1 or 5 days at 4°C and 27 days at -18°C), the degree of ATP metabolism as well as general meat quality (i.e. including sensory evaluation) were reassessed. Samples from the pre-selected groups became less discernible following prolonged storage. In all animals, the pattern of ATP breakdown was similar, the major metabolites including inosine monophosphate, hypoxanthine, adenosine monophosphate, and inosine. The degree of breakdown was dependent on the duration and temperature of storage, but not on animal type. The muscular samples for the intermediate and normal muscle groups, which were stored for 27 days at -18°C, were given the highest sensory evaluation scores. The simple HPLC measurement of ATP metabolism was considered as a useful means to assess appropriate storage.     

Effect of sire breed on physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of lamb meat

Physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of lamb meat were evaluated in crossbred ram lambs from Merino ewes and Oxford Down, Texel, Charollais, Suffolk and Merinolandschaf sires. The lambs were slaughtered at average age 119.2 days, live weight 34.6 kg and carcass weight 16.3 kg. Samples of M. longissimus lumborum et thoracis were used for measurements of pH values, electrical conductivity (EC), drip loss, contents of dry matter (DM), protein, intramuscular fat (IMF), ash, and hydroxyproline and for sensory analysis. The breed of sire significantly affected pH 24 and 48 h postmortem, EC 24 h postmortem, protein content and juiciness (P < 0.05). Significant negative correlations between pH₄₈ and DM (− 0.255) and pH₄₈ and IMF (− 0.258) were found (P < 0.05). A significant positive correlation between EC₄₈ and drip loss (0.366) was observed (P < 0.05). Progeny of Charollais sires had meat of better quality than the others; the highest content of protein and IMF, the lowest drip loss and the best juiciness and texture.     

Short‐term anoxia treatment maintains tissue energy levels and membrane integrity and inhibits browning of harvested litchi fruit

Pericarp browning is the main limitation to the postharvest storage, handling and marketing life of litchi fruit. Pre‐storage treatment with pure N₂ gas is potentially effective in reducing skin browning and maintaining eating quality of litchis. To better understand inhibition of pericarp browning by a short period of anoxia, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels, adenylate energy charge and membrane permeability were investigated. Litchi fruit were exposed to pure N₂ gas for 6 h and then kept in closed but vented containers for 6 days in the dark at 25 °C and 95–100% relative humidity. Changes in the mentioned fruit physiology and biochemistry parameters and in browning index were measured. ATP concentration and adenylate energy charge decreased rapidly and membrane permeability (relative leakage) increased gradually during storage. Fruit exposed to N₂ gas exhibited higher concentrations of ATP, ADP and AMP and adenylate energy charge levels, and lower levels of browning index and membrane permeability, compared to control (non‐N₂‐treated) fruit. Greater differences in ATP and ADP concentrations and adenylate energy charge levels of pericarp tissues between N₂‐treated and control fruit were more manifest after 4 and 6 days of storage, in association with significant differences at the 5% level in the pericarp browning index. It is suggested that pre‐storage anoxia treatment maintains membrane integrity of pericarp tissues, with high ATP and ADP concentrations and high adenylate energy charge levels. Thus, the loss of cellular compartmentalization (mixing of enzymes and substrates) that leads to enzymatic browning of litchi fruit pericarp is delayed. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Post-slaughter changes in ATP metabolites,reducing and phosphorylated sugars in chicken meat

The formation of ATP breakdown products in chicken M. pectoralis major post-slaughter is reported. The concentrations of metabolites were followed in chicken breast throughout the carcass processing post-slaughter and during chilled storage. The concentration of glucose remains similar throughout the period whilst that of glucose-6-phosphate decreases linearly. Glucose and glucose-6-phosphate concentrations were inversely related to the pHu of the breast meat throughout chilled storage. Rapid post-mortem glycolysis and high pHu values suggest the occurrence of stress at and pre-slaughter. Whilst ATP, ADP and AMP were rapidly broken down, the concentration of IMP rose rapidly and remained high. Concentrations of inosine, ribose and hypoxanthine increased gradually post-slaughter but an initial increase in ribose phosphate was not sustained. Most of the potential ribose present in chicken meat, believed to be important for flavor formation, remains bound in the form of inosine and IMP. There is evidence that additional breakdown pathways for ribose and ribose-5-phosphate may deplete the concentrations of these precursors.     

ATP Metabolites During Aging of Exudative and Nonexudative Pork Meats

ABSTRACT: The content of nucleotide metabolites in the muscle L.dorsi from 9 exudative and 9 acceptable quality pork carcasses was determined during 7 d of aging in order to establish a period postmortem for detecting exudative meats. Hypoxanthine and inosine levels in exudative meats were different (p < 0.05) from those of normal meats up to 3 days of aging, while 5'-inosine monophosphate (IMP) and 5'-adenosine triphosphate (ATP) contents only differed during the 1st 4 and 6 h postmortem, respectively. The IMP/ATP ratio was only different (p < 0.05) at 2 h. Thus, 2 h postmortem is proposed as the optimal sampling time for the detection of exudative pork meats.     

Changes in apoptosis factors and activation of caspase-3 in tilapia muscle during storage

The activation of the apoptosis pathway in tilapia muscle during postmortem storage was studied. Changes in caspase-3 activity, ATP content, cytochrome c levels, and ratio of Bcl-2/Bax levels of tilapia muscle were observed during postmortem storage at 20°C. Caspase-3 activity was found to be significantly increased at first, followed by a decrease (P < 0.05); the highest caspase-3 activity was observed at 1 h. The ATP content decreased significantly (P < 0.05), and almost exhausted after 10 h storage. The cytochrome c level in the cytosol showed a significant increase after 5 h of storage (P < 0.05), while the mitochondrial cytochrome c levels showed a decrease. The Bcl-2/Bax ratio was stable from 0–5 h, followed by a rapid decreased at 10–20 h and a significant increased after 20 h (P < 0.05), suggesting that the apoptosis process occurred until 20 h of postmortem storage. Thus, we concluded that the availability of ATP and the increase in cytosolic cytochrome c levels are essential for the activation of caspase-3, and that the former partly limits caspase-3 activity.     

Establishment of a Freshness-Evaluating Standard for Chilled Yellow Chicken Meat

There is still no uniform criterion to evaluate the freshness of chilled yellow chicken meat in China. Here, we combined traditional methods, which were sensory evaluation, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and inosine monophosphate (IMP) contents with a novel technology, electronic nose analysis, to determine the freshness of chilled yellow chicken meat. The contents of ATP and IMP in meat were detected by portable ATP detector and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. In the first 3 days post-slaughter (dps), sensory evaluation scores were greater than or equal to 4, which indicate freshness. Chicken meat was deteriorated at 6 dps. As chemical indicators, IMP content was higher than ATP content, and both gradually decreased, with fluctuations. The most significant differences appeared at 3–5 days, similar to sensory evaluation results. All indicators above were different between male and female, the same rule was available between breast and thigh. We were able to distinguish the storage time, different body regions, and odors of samples using electronic nose. In the first 3 dps, few changes were found in the G ₀/G eigenvalues for each sensor, which all reached a minimum at 4 dps. In conclusion, the traditional methods and novel technology are fit for evaluating freshness, and the electronic nose is recommended to evaluate the freshness of chicken meat owing to greater speed, ease, and accuracy. To summarize the results of the three tests, we rank meat at or before 3 dps stored at 4 °C as “fresh grade,” from 3 to 5 dps as “second fresh grade,” and 6 dps and later as “non-fresh grade.”     

宰后电刺激对新疆多浪羊肉品质的影响

以新疆地方品种多浪羊为研究对象,探讨电刺激对其宰后羊肉品质的影响。结果表明：电刺激显著加快多浪羊宰后肌肉pH值的下降速率（P＜0.05）,显著降低多浪羊肉贮藏损失和宰后1?d的蒸煮损失率（P＜0.05）;电刺激组肌原纤维小片化指数显著高于对照组（0?s）（P＜0.05）,宰后1?d多浪羊肉剪切力显著低于对照组（P＜0.05）。电刺激可以显著降低宰后3?d羊肉的L*值和b*值（P＜0.05）;电刺激能够显著加快宰后初期（14?h内）肌肉无氧糖酵解速率,糖原、三磷酸腺苷和二磷酸腺苷降解速率以及乳酸、一磷酸腺苷和肌苷酸生成速率（P＜0.05）。综合分析3?个不同电刺激时间处理组（30、60、90?s）,其中电刺激60?s对多浪羊肉品质改善效果最佳,可以将电压70?V、频率50?Hz、60?s的电刺激处理作为新疆多浪羊宰后电刺激的参数推广应用。     

FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS ON THE ULTRA-RAPID CHILLING OF LAMB CARCASSES

Commercial chilling methods of lamb have taken account of the possibility of cold-shortening and so rapid chilling rates, in the absence of electrical stimulation, have not been used. The effects of three chilling regimens (conventional, intermediate and ultra-rapid) on lamb carcasses were investigated. Lamb loins from carcasses chilled under ultra-rapid conditions (-20C and 1.5 m/s for 3.5H) were as tender as those from carcasses that were chilled under intermediate (-2C) and conventional conditions (4C). Loins were as tender at 24 h as they were at 5 days of storage. Weight losses in the carcasses were significantly reduced as a result of using ultra-rapid chilling compared to conventional chilling (0.57% as opposed to 1.48%). The change in pH of carcass loins in all chilling regimens, from 1h postmortem to 4h, was from about 6.5 to 6.0. This rapid glycolysis is discussed in relation to the tenderness of the meat that was produced by all of the chilling regimens. The ultra-rapid chilling regimen has commercial potential because it produces tender meat with very low evaporative weight losses.