A Simple Method for Following Postmortem ATP Depletion in Lamb Muscle

Relationship between adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) concentration and R-value, defined as the absorption ratio of the degradation derivatives inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP), inosine and hypoxanthine (E₂₅₀) to adenosine nucleotides (E₂₆₀), was studied in postmortem lamb Longissimus dorsi, until onset of rigor mortis, at different temperatures of muscle storage and lamb carcass weight. Results showed a high overall correlation coefficient (r =?0.960), nondependent of storage temperature or carcass weight. Thus, lamb postmortem ATP concentrations can be indirectly calculated through a simple, rapid, economic and reliable method such as R-value measurements.