A RAPID METHOD FOR THE DETECTION OF PSE AND DFD PORCINE MUSCLES

ABSTRACT Results of tests made on 253 porcine muscles showed that 1 hr after death PSE and DFD muscles contain low levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and high levels of inosine monophosphate while in normal muscles high concentrations of ATP and low amounts of inosine monophosphate are observed. The deamination of the adenine moiety can be measured by the changes in the absorption ratio at 250 and 260 nm. This ratio (called R) amounts to 0.78–0.80 for pure adenine nucleotide solutions and to 1.68–1.70 for pure inosine monophosphate and inosine in aqueous solutions at neutral pH. Preparation of acidic extract of muscles containing the nucleotides and the measurement of the 250/260 nm ratio of absorbances is a fast procedure: 3–4 min after receiving the sample the R values can be calculated. Together with pH 1 the R value allows a very reliable differentiation of normal, PSE and DFD muscles.