Variations of early postmortem pH in carcasses of grass-fed steers and its relationship with glycolytic potential and meat quality traits

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the multivariate relationship between the glycolytic potential, and meat quality traits from grass-fed steers carcasses with variations in early postmortem pH. From a contemporary group of steers (n=70) from the same production unit and slaughtered under similar conditions, thirty carcasses (10/group) were selected based on pH values measured at 3h (pH3h): Low (< 6.2), Intermediate pH3h (6.2–6.5), and High (> 6.5). Carcasses segregated by pH3h groups were different (p < 0.05) in muscular glycogen (MCG), glucose (G+G6P) content, glycolytic potential (GP) and GPstrict (GP without lactate content). The interaction pH3h groups × sampling time was significant only for lactate content (LC) (p < 0.05). Quality traits, except redness, did not vary (p > 0.05) among pH3h groups. Color variables had a positive and moderate correlation with MGC, G+G6P, LC, and GP. Results does not allow to recommend early carcass segregation by very early pH (3h postmortem); however, important bivariate and multivariate relationships between G+G6P, lactate content and instrumental color parameters in LL muscle from grass-fed cattle were demonstrated.