GLYCOLYTIC POTENTIAL IN PORCINE LONGISSIMUS MUSCLE BEFORE AND AFTER TRANSPORT: AN IN VIVO STUDY

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to study the effect of transport on the glycolytic potential (GP, very close to glycogen content) measured in vivo of porcine Longissimus muscle. Four groups of 9 (Landrace × Yorkshire) × Hampshire crossbred pigs, corresponding to 4 rearing pens, were transported unmixed for 2 h. Biopsy samplings were performed immediately before and after transport on each pig. GP did not vary significantly when compared before and after transport (–2.2%). As shown by postmortem pH and internal light scattering measurements, no tendency toward the PSE (pale, soft and exudative) or DFD (dark, firm and dry) conditions was observed. It was concluded that a relatively short transport time (2 h) without mixing unfamiliar animals, did not induce high stress, as shown by the stability of muscle glycogen stored in vivo and the lack of deviation in meat quality traits postmortem.