Mitochondrial activity and beef muscle color stability

LANARI M.C. & CASSENS R.G

JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE

Año: 1991 p. 1476 - 1479

0022-1147

, oxygen consumption rate (OCR), oxygen consumption rate/g meat (OCRM) and metmyoglobin reducing activity (MRA) of muscle mitochondria were determined for beef longissimus dorsi and gluteus medius muscles of Holstein and crossbred steers which differed in color stability. OCR and OCRM decreased but no significant changes were observed in MRA during postmortem storage time. Significant effects of muscle and breed type on OCR, OCRM, and MRA were observed. Muscles and breeds of lower color stability had the highest levels of OCR, OCRM, and MRA. Differences in OCR of muscle mitochondria may be a contributing factor in the effects of muscle and breed on the rate of discoloration