Tough aged meat presents greater expression of calpastatin, which presents postmortem protein profile and tenderization related to Nellore steer temperament

Abstract

Eighteen Nellore steers were classified as either excitable (high index) or calm (low index) temperament, and high or low WB Shear Force (SF) in Longissimus lumborum at 16 days postmortem, with a subset assigned to four groups: HTHS–high temperament and SF (n = 5); HTLS–high temperament and low SF (n = 4); LTHS–low temperament and high SF (n = 4); LTLS–low temperament and SF (n = 5). Only the second calpastatin peak was detected at 48 h in the all samples, and the calpastatin activity only differed (P < .05) between shear force groups. High WBSF groups had greater expression of CAST gene (P < .05) in the high and low temperament. Western blots showed a calpastatin fragmentation pattern very particular to each group with high molecular weight bands present in the HTHS. Temperament was not a determinant factor in postmortem proteolysis variation. However, greater WBSF aged meat from high temperament animals had greater calpastatin activity and less calpastatin fragments formed during the postmortem period analyzed.