Aldosterone and Pork Quality

Abstract

Three separate attempts were made to confirm the reported development of pale, soft, exudative (PSE) pork following aldosterone treatment, and to relate any resulting deterioration in quality to hormone-induced changes in the magnesium levels of the blood serum and musculature. Injection schedules included long-term daily administration, concentrated treatment a few hours prior to slaughter, and a single injection 90 min pre-slaughter. Concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium in serum and muscle were not affected significantly by aldosterone treatment. Post-mortem muscle glycolytic rate was not altered by the injections. PSE muscle was not induced by any of the aldosterone administration schedules. It was concluded that aldosterone injection in the pig does not cause the development of the PSE condition or promote any significant reduction in meat quality.