CHEMICAL, COOKING AND TEXTURAL PROPERTIES OF SEMIMEMBRANOSUS, SEMITENDINOSUS AND BICEPS FEMORIS MUSCLES OF PORK

The chemical, cooking and physical properties of semimembranosus, semitendinosus and biceps femoris of ham were determined. Significant differences in fat content of muscle and force required to penetrate the ham samples from the three muscles were found. No significant differences among three muscles in other properties were noted. A statistically significant correlation (r=-0.54) existed between the fat content of muscle and force required to penetrate the ham sample. Expressible juice from the muscles was significantly related to the cook loss and yield of hams. The moisture content of hams was also negatively related to the expressible juice. The possible mechanisms for these correlations are related to the ability of porcine muscles to chemically bind moisture during the cooking processes.