Relationship between RN − genotype and drip loss in meat from Danish pigs

Abstract

The presence of the RN −-gene determined in 72 halothane negative Danish pigs, either by a direct genotyping or the glycolytic potential of the meat, in relation to drip loss, was investigated. The drip loss in the M. longissimus dorsi from RN-carriers ( n=26), as determined by genotyping was 9.9% compared to 8.6% in non-carriers ( n=46) ( P=0.07). When a glycolytic potential of >230 μmol lactate/g meat was used to differentiate between carriers and non carriers of the RN −-gene, the drip loss in carriers was 10.6% ( n=17) compared to 8.7% in non-carriers ( n=55) ( P<0.01). These results suggest that the presence of the RN −-gene in Danish slaughter pigs only partially explains the large variation in drip loss observed in Danish pork.