Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Comparison of different criteria used to categorize technological quality of pork

Comparação de diferentes critérios utilizados para classificar a qualidade tecnológica da carne suína

ABSTRACT:

Pork may be classified into quality categories according to its color, texture and exudation, though no international consensus criterion has been reached yet. Thus, the aim of the present paper was to examine the relation between important meat quality traits, evaluating pork quality classification of a same data by different criteria proposed in the literature. In 60 pork loins (Longissimus thoracis muscle), initial pH (pH45min) and R-value were evaluated after 45min post mortem between the 9th and 10th ribs, and ultimate pH (pH24h), objective color and water-holding capacity were evaluated 24h post mortem in two 2.54cm thick steaks cut between the 9th and 11th ribs to be classified into PSE (pale, soft and exudative), RSE (reddish-pink, soft and exudative), RFN (reddish-pink, firm and non-exudative) or DFD (dark, firm and dry) quality. Frequency distributions of quality categories differed (P<0.001) among criteria, which resulted in large variations: 3 to 68% PSE; 0 to 73% RSE; 5 to 68% RFN; 0 to 22% DFD; and 0 to 33% unclassified samples. A same sample may be classified into different quality categories according to the criterion utilized, which results in large variations in frequency distributions and also in quality attributes. Therefore, the classification of pork quality depends on the adopted criterion, which indicated the need for international standardization, so that pork quality can be determined efficiently and effectively.

Key words:
PSE; DFD meat; color; exudation; pH

RESUMO:

A carne suína pode ser classificada em categorias de qualidade de acordo com sua cor, textura e exsudação, embora ainda não exista um critério internacional consensual. Desse modo, o objetivo do presente artigo foi verificar a relação entre importantes características de qualidade de carne, avaliando a classificação da qualidade da carne suína de um mesmo banco de dados por diferentes critérios propostos na literatura. Em 60 lombos (músculo Longissimus thoracis), pH inicial (pH45min) e Valor R, foram avaliados 45 minutos post mortem entre a 9a e a 10a costelas, e pH final (pH24h), cor objetiva e capacidade de retenção de água foram avaliados 24 horas post mortem, em dois bifes, com 2,54cm de espessura, cortados, entre a 9a e a 11a costelas, para serem classificados como PSE (pálida, flácida e exsudativa), RSE (vermelho-rosada, flácida e exsudativa), RFN (vermelho-rosada, firme e não-exsudativa) ou DFD (escura, firme e seca). As distribuições de frequência das categorias de qualidade diferiram (P<0,001) entre os critérios, resultando em grandes variações: 3 a 68% PSE; 0 a 73% RSE; 5 a 68% RFN; 0 a 22% DFD; e 0 a 33% de amostras não classificadas. Uma mesma amostra pode ser classificada em diferentes categorias de qualidade, de acordo com o critério utilizado, o que resulta em grandes variações nas distribuições de frequência e também nos atributos de qualidade. Portanto, a classificação da qualidade da carne suína é dependente do critério adotado, evidenciando a necessidade de uma padronização internacional para a identificação eficiente e eficaz da qualidade da carne suína.

Palavras-chave:
carne PSE e DFD; cor; exsudação; pH

INTRODUCTION:

Pork may be classified into different quality categories according to its color, texture and exudation. Top-quality meat has a reddish-pink color, firm texture and normal exudation (RFN), which is considered ideal for producers and consumers. Anomalous conditions may provide pale, soft and exudative (PSE), reddish-pink, soft and exudative (RSE) or dark, firm and dry (DFD) meat, which present bad appearance for consumers and are unsuitable for processing (WARNER et al., 1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
; RAMOS & GOMIDE, 2007RAMOS, E.M.; GOMIDE, L.A.M. Avaliação da qualidade de carnes: fundamentos e metodologias. Viçosa: UFV, 2007. 599p.; BARBUT et al., 2008BARBUT, S. et al. Progress in reducing the pale, soft and exudative (PSE) problem in pork and poultry meat. Meat Science, v.79, n.1, p.46-63, 2008. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2007.07.031>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2007.07.031.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2007...
). The PSE condition is one of the major problems faced by the meat industry, and because of its economic importance and high occurrence, this phenomenon has been studied for many years (WARRISS & BROWN, 1987WARRISS, P.D.; BROWN, S.N. The relationships between initial pH, reflectance and exudation in pig muscle. Meat Science , v.20, n.1, p.65-74, 1987. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(87)90051-9>. Accessed: nov. 04, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(87)90051-9.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(87)9...
; WARNER et al., 1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Muscle protein changes post mortem in relation to pork quality traits. Meat Science , v.45, n.3, p.339-352, 1997. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7>. Accessed: Nov. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)...
; WARNER et al., 1997WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
; HUFF-LONERGAN & LONERGAN, 2005HUFF-LONERGAN, E.; LONERGAN, S.M. Mechanisms of water-holding capacity of meat: The role of postmortem biochemical and structural changes. Meat Science , v.71, n.1, p.194-204, 2005. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2005.04.022>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2005.04.022.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2005...
; TAO & PENG, 2014TAO, F.; PENG, Y. A method for nondestructive prediction of pork meat quality and safety attributes by hyperspectral imaging technique. Journal of Food Engineering, v.126, n.0, p.98-106, 2014. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2013.11.006>. Accessed: Out. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.jfoodeng.2013.11.006.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfoodeng.201...
). Brazilian research studies have reported the incidence of 10.1% (SANTIAGO et al., 2012SANTIAGO, J.C. et al. Incidência da carne PSE (pale, soft, exsudative) em suínos em razão do tempo de descanso pré-abate e sexo. Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, v.64, p.1739-1746, 2012. ), 22.8% (MAGANHINI et al., 2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. ) and 46.4% (CULAU et al., 2002CULAU, P.O.V. et al. Effect of the Halothane Gene on the Quality of Pork. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, v.31, p.954-961, 2002.) of PSE in meat industries in the south of the country.

Although the pH at 45min post mortem (pH45min) can be used as an indicator of the PSE condition, its application is limited, because it did not allow for the prediction of all quality categories (RAMOS & GOMIDE, 2007RAMOS, E.M.; GOMIDE, L.A.M. Avaliação da qualidade de carnes: fundamentos e metodologias. Viçosa: UFV, 2007. 599p.). Besides, low correlations between pH45min and subjectively determined quality have been discouraging (SOMERS et al., 1985SOMERS, C. et al. Evaluation of some objective methods for measuring pork quality. Meat Science , v.15, n.2, p.63-76, 1985. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(85)90047-6>. Accessed: Out. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(85)90047-6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(85)9...
; JOO et al., 2000JOO, S.T. et al. Objectively predicting ultimate quality of post-rigor pork musculature: I. Initial comparison of techniques. Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Science s, v.13, n.1, p.68-76, 2000. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2000.68>. Accessed: Out. 04, 2015. doi: 10.5713/ajas.2000.68.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5713/ajas.2000.68...
). To classify the pork in different quality categories, several criteria have been proposed (HONIKEL & FISHER, 1977HONIKEL, K.O.; FISHER, C.A. A rapid method for the detection of PSE and DFD porcine muscles. Journal of Food Science, v.42, n.7, p.1633-1636, 1977. ; BENDALL & SWATLAND, 1988BENDALL, J.R.; SWATLAND, H.J. A review of the relationships of pH with physical aspects of pork quality. Meat Science , v.24, n.2, p.85-126, 1988. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi:10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)9...
; KAUFFMAN et al., 1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
; WARNER et al., 1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
; WARNER et al., 1997WARNER, R.D. et al. Muscle protein changes post mortem in relation to pork quality traits. Meat Science , v.45, n.3, p.339-352, 1997. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7>. Accessed: Nov. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)...
; MAGANHINI et al., 2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. ; FAUCITANO et al., 2010FAUCITANO, L. et al. Shelf life of pork from five different quality classes. Meat Science , v.84, n.3, p.466-469, 2010. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017>. Accessed: Out. 10, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009...
), but there is no international consensus on what criteria should be used.

The classification ability depends on the quality attributes utilized in the characterization of pork, which could explain the wide variation in the incidence of PSE reported in the literature. Many quality attributes have been utilized to classify pork, e.g.: only pH45min (BENDALL and SWATLAND, 1988BENDALL, J.R.; SWATLAND, H.J. A review of the relationships of pH with physical aspects of pork quality. Meat Science , v.24, n.2, p.85-126, 1988. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi:10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)9...
); pH45min and R-value (HONIKEL & FISHER, 1977HONIKEL, K.O.; FISHER, C.A. A rapid method for the detection of PSE and DFD porcine muscles. Journal of Food Science, v.42, n.7, p.1633-1636, 1977. ); only lightness (L *) (MAGANHINI et al., 2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. ); pH at 24h post mortem (pH24h), L * and water-holding capacity (WHC), measured by percentage drip loss (PDL) (WARNER et al., 1997WARNER, R.D. et al. Muscle protein changes post mortem in relation to pork quality traits. Meat Science , v.45, n.3, p.339-352, 1997. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7>. Accessed: Nov. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)...
) or filter-paper wetness (FPW) (FAUCITANO et al., 2010FAUCITANO, L. et al. Shelf life of pork from five different quality classes. Meat Science , v.84, n.3, p.466-469, 2010. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017>. Accessed: Out. 10, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009...
); only L * and PDL (KAUFFMAN et al., 1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
); and only L * and FPW (WARNER et al., 1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
). Therefore, the aim of the present paper was to examine the relation between important meat quality traits, evaluating the pork quality classification of a same data by different criteria proposed in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Samples from 60 pigs (commercial cross Large White x Landrace) weighing 105±10kg were obtained (from 11 to 21 March 2014) in an abattoir located in Lavras, MG, Brazil. After 45min post mortem, the initial pH (pH45min) and the R-value were determined in the Longissimus thoracis muscle between the 9th and 10th ribs. Carcasses were identified and kept refrigerated (1±1°C) for 24h, when two 2.5 cm thick steaks between the 9th and 11th ribs were removed, packed and transferred to the Laboratory of Meat and Meat Products (LabCarnes) at the Universidade Federal de Lavras for analysis of ultimate pH (pH24h), instrumental color (CIELAB) and water-holding capacity (WHC).

The pH45min and pH24h were measured 45min and 24h post mortem, respectively, by a portable pH meter HI99163 (Hanna Instruments) using a probe with stainless steel blade. The R-value was measured 45min post mortem, in triplicate, according to the methodology described by HONIKEL & FISHER (1977HONIKEL, K.O.; FISHER, C.A. A rapid method for the detection of PSE and DFD porcine muscles. Journal of Food Science, v.42, n.7, p.1633-1636, 1977. ). Meat color was evaluated 24h post mortem using a spectrophotometer CM-700 (Konica Minolta) with 8-mm aperture size, specular component excluded (SCE), illuminant D65 and 10º angle of observer. After blooming for 30min, the CIE L*a*b* color coordinates were obtained from the average of five readings taken at different positions on the exposed meat surface (RAMOS & GOMIDE, 2007RAMOS, E.M.; GOMIDE, L.A.M. Avaliação da qualidade de carnes: fundamentos e metodologias. Viçosa: UFV, 2007. 599p.).

Pork water-holding capacity (WHC) was evaluated 24h post mortem by percentage drip loss (PDL) and filter-paper wetness (FPW) methods. The FPW test was performed according to the methodology described by KAUFFMAN et al. (1986KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. A comparison of methods to estimate water-holding capacity in post-rigor porcine muscle. Meat Science , v.18, n.4, p.307-322, 1986. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(86)90020-3>. Accessed: Out. 04, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(86)90020-3.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(86)9...
), with some modifications. After 2.54cm thick steak was exposed to the environment at room temperature (~20ºC) for 30min (blooming), a preweighed qualitative filter paper (125mm in diameter, Whatman(r) Grade 1) was placed on the meat surface for 3s and then weighed again. The FPW was expressed as the weight (mg) of the absorbed exudate. The PDL test was measured as the percentage of the weight loss of a standardized (about 40g) muscle sample during its suspension in a plastic pot for 48h at 4°C (HONIKEL et al., 1986HONIKEL, K.O. et al. Sarcomere shortening of prerigor muscles and its influence on drip loss. Meat Science , v.16, n.4, p.267-282, 1986. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(86)90038-0>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(86)90038-0.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(86)9...
).

Samples were classified into the following quality categories: PSE (pale, soft and exudative), RSE (red, soft and exudative), RFN (red, firm and non-exudative), or DFD (dark, firm and dry), according to pH24h, L * and WHC (PDL or FPW) parameters proposed by different criteria obtained from the literature (Table 1). Samples were also classified based on: the pH45min, defined by BENDALL & SWATLAND (1988BENDALL, J.R.; SWATLAND, H.J. A review of the relationships of pH with physical aspects of pork quality. Meat Science , v.24, n.2, p.85-126, 1988. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi:10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)9...
) as PSE (pH45min<5.80) and RFN (pH45min>5.80); and pH45min and R-value, described by HONIKEL & FISHER (1977HONIKEL, K.O.; FISHER, C.A. A rapid method for the detection of PSE and DFD porcine muscles. Journal of Food Science, v.42, n.7, p.1633-1636, 1977. ) as PSE (R-value>1.05 and pH45min<5.90), RFN (R-value≤1.05) and DFD (R-value>1.05 and pH45min>5.95). Samples that were not classified into any of these categories were identified as "unclassified" (UC).

Table 1
Classification of pork quality according to ultimate pH, lightness (L *) and water holding capacity (WHC) parameters proposed by criteria obtained from the literature.

The statistical analyses were performed on the software SAS 9.2 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) at a significance level of 5%. The chi-square test (χ²) was applied to evaluate the frequency distributions of the pork quality categories among the evaluated criteria. For each criterion obtained in the literature, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and, when necessary, Tukey test were used to evaluate the differences of the quality attributes among the pork quality categories, excluding the unclassified samples. Pearson's correlation analysis was also performed among the quality attributes, whose coefficients (r) were tested by Student's t-test.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

The frequency distributions of the pork quality categories differed (χ²=511.11; P<0.001) among the evaluated criteria. Samples were classified into different categories according to the adopted criterion, which resulted in large variations in frequency distributions (Figure 1). Depending on the criterion adopted, 3 to 68% of the samples can be classified as PSE, whereas 5 to 68% of the samples can be classified as RFN. Among the criteria that contained RSE and DFD categories, up to 73% of the samples can be classified as RSE, whereas up to 22% of the samples can be classified as DFD.

Figure 1
Frequency distributions of the pork quality categories according to the criteria obtained in the literature (n = 60). PSE = pale, soft and exudative; RSE = reddish-pink, soft and exudative; RFN = reddish-pink, firm and non-exudative; DFD = dark, firm and dry; and UC = unclassified. Criteria early evaluated (45min post mortem) were pH45min (BENDALL & SWATLAND, 1988BENDALL, J.R.; SWATLAND, H.J. A review of the relationships of pH with physical aspects of pork quality. Meat Science , v.24, n.2, p.85-126, 1988. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi:10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)9...
), pH45min and R-value (HONIKEL & FISHER, 1977HONIKEL, K.O.; FISHER, C.A. A rapid method for the detection of PSE and DFD porcine muscles. Journal of Food Science, v.42, n.7, p.1633-1636, 1977. ).

WARNER et al. (1997WARNER, R.D. et al. Muscle protein changes post mortem in relation to pork quality traits. Meat Science , v.45, n.3, p.339-352, 1997. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7>. Accessed: Nov. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)...
) and FAUCITANO et al. (2010FAUCITANO, L. et al. Shelf life of pork from five different quality classes. Meat Science , v.84, n.3, p.466-469, 2010. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017>. Accessed: Out. 10, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009...
) suggested a classification based on pH24h, L* and WHC (PDL or FPW), though it is hard for a sample to meet, at the same time, the three parameters of a same category. So, these two criteria were the most strict regarding the pork quality, classifying 60 to 68% of the samples as PSE and 73 to 88% of them as soft and exudative (PSE + RSE).

The pH and L * values is known to be strong related to WHC, but the magnitude of correlation differs between studies (OTTO et al., 2004OTTO, G. et al. Comparison of different methods for determination of drip loss and their relationships to meat quality and carcass characteristics in pigs. Meat Science , v.68, n.3, p.401-409, 2004. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2004.04.007>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2004.04.007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2004...
). In the present study, the highest correlations were (P<0.05) observed between pH45min and WHC (-0.52 for PDL and -0.53 for FPW) as well as between L* values and WHC (0.62 for PDL and 0.53 for FPW). Correlations of pH45min and WHC were higher to the values (r=-0.34 to -0.48) observed by DE VRIES et al. (1994DE VRIES, A.G. et al. Genetic parameters of pork quality and production traits in Yorkshire populations. Livestock Production Science, v.40, n.3, p.277-289, 1994. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0301-6226(94)90095-7>. Accessed: Out. 04, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0301-6226(94)90095-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0301-6226(94)9...
), OTTO et al. (2004OTTO, G. et al. Comparison of different methods for determination of drip loss and their relationships to meat quality and carcass characteristics in pigs. Meat Science , v.68, n.3, p.401-409, 2004. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2004.04.007>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2004.04.007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2004...
) and VAN OECKEL et al. (1999VAN OECKEL, M.J. et al. Comparison of different methods for measuring water holding capacity and juiciness of pork versus on-line screening methods. Meat Science , v.51, n.4, p.313-320, 1999. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(98)00123-5>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0309-1740(98)00123-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(98)...
) when WHC was measured by PDL method, but similar to those values (r=-0.41 to -0.57) reported by DE VRIES et al. (1994DE VRIES, A.G. et al. Genetic parameters of pork quality and production traits in Yorkshire populations. Livestock Production Science, v.40, n.3, p.277-289, 1994. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0301-6226(94)90095-7>. Accessed: Out. 04, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0301-6226(94)90095-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0301-6226(94)9...
) and VAN OECKEL et al. (1999)VAN OECKEL, M.J. et al. Comparison of different methods for measuring water holding capacity and juiciness of pork versus on-line screening methods. Meat Science , v.51, n.4, p.313-320, 1999. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(98)00123-5>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0309-1740(98)00123-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(98)...
when FPW method was used. The correlations between L * values and WHC were also higher than values (r=0.38 to 0.52) reported in the literature (DE VRIES et al., 1994DE VRIES, A.G. et al. Genetic parameters of pork quality and production traits in Yorkshire populations. Livestock Production Science, v.40, n.3, p.277-289, 1994. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0301-6226(94)90095-7>. Accessed: Out. 04, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0301-6226(94)90095-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0301-6226(94)9...
; HUFF-LONERGAN et al., 2002HUFF-LONERGAN, E. et al. Correlations among selected pork quality traits. Journal of Animal Science, v.80, n.3, p.617-627, 2002. ; OTTO et al., 2004OTTO, G. et al. Comparison of different methods for determination of drip loss and their relationships to meat quality and carcass characteristics in pigs. Meat Science , v.68, n.3, p.401-409, 2004. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2004.04.007>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2004.04.007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2004...
). These results confirmed that paler meat is related to higher drip loss.

KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
) and WARNER et al. (1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
)'s criteria are based only on L* and WHC (by PDL or FPW method), not considering pH24h. The criterion proposed by KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
) showed the highest frequency of DFD (22%) and unclassified (33%) samples. The unclassified samples occurred because they had L * values lower than 52 but with PDL higher than 5%. In contrast, the criterion proposed by WARNER et al. (1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
) was able to classify all samples, wherein 73% of them were RSE. Lower values for the L * parameters proposed by these authors in relation to those proposed by KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
) caused the differences in the frequency distributions, because 82% of the samples met concurrently the WHC parameters of a same class for both criteria. Moreover, despite being different methods, PDL and FPW were moderately correlated (r=0.67; P<0.05).

Conversely, through the criteria based only on pH45min, on pH45min and R-value (HONIKEL & FISHER, 1977HONIKEL, K.O.; FISHER, C.A. A rapid method for the detection of PSE and DFD porcine muscles. Journal of Food Science, v.42, n.7, p.1633-1636, 1977. ) and only on L * (MAGANHINI et al., 2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. ), most of the samples (53 to 68%) were classified as RFN, whereas a large part of them (32 to 38%) was classified as PSE. Inclusion of the R-value along with pH45min increased the categorization as PSE by 5% and as DFD by 8%, thereby reducing the percentage of RFN, probably because 75% of the samples were classified in the same manner in both criteria. However, the frequency distribution according to the criterion of MAGANHINI et al. (2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. ) almost did not differ from these two previous criteria. Between pH45min and R-value were reported a moderate correlation (r=-0.63; P<0.05), while none (P>0.05) correlations were observed between L * and pH45min or R-value.

Quality attributes were also evaluated among the quality categories for each criterion (Tables 2 and 3). A same sample may be classified into different quality categories according to the criterion utilized; and therefore, the criteria showed different responses, i.e., the quality attributes varied by pork quality categories depending on the adopted criterion.

Table 2
Quality attributes (mean ± standard error) of the pork quality categories for the criteria proposed by BENDALL & SWATLAND (1988BENDALL, J.R.; SWATLAND, H.J. A review of the relationships of pH with physical aspects of pork quality. Meat Science , v.24, n.2, p.85-126, 1988. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi:10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)9...
), HONIKEL & FISHER (1977HONIKEL, K.O.; FISHER, C.A. A rapid method for the detection of PSE and DFD porcine muscles. Journal of Food Science, v.42, n.7, p.1633-1636, 1977. ), and KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
).
Table 3
Quality attributes (mean ± standard error) of the pork quality categories for the criteria proposed by WARNER et al. (1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
; 1997), MAGANHINI et al. (2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. ) and FAUCITANO et al. (2010FAUCITANO, L. et al. Shelf life of pork from five different quality classes. Meat Science , v.84, n.3, p.466-469, 2010. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017>. Accessed: Out. 10, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009...
).

The pH45min (BENDALL & SWATLAND, 1988BENDALL, J.R.; SWATLAND, H.J. A review of the relationships of pH with physical aspects of pork quality. Meat Science , v.24, n.2, p.85-126, 1988. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6>. Accessed: Out. 02, 2015. doi:10.1016/0309-1740(88)90052-6.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(88)9...
) and pH45min and R-value (HONIKEL & FISHER, 1977HONIKEL, K.O.; FISHER, C.A. A rapid method for the detection of PSE and DFD porcine muscles. Journal of Food Science, v.42, n.7, p.1633-1636, 1977. ) criteria did not differentiate (P>0.05) the pH24h between the quality categories. This can be explained by the absence (P>0.05) of correlation between pH45min and pH24h. In addition, the pH24h was not used as a parameter in these criteria or even those proposed by KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
) and WARNER et al. (1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
), which also did not differentiate (P>0.05) the pH24h between the quality categories. Still, the pH24h (5.9 to 6.0) of the DFD category for the criteria proposed by WARNER et al. (1997) and MAGANHINI et al. (2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. ) was higher (P<0.05) than the other categories (5.4 to 5.7); whereas by FAUCITANO et al. (2010FAUCITANO, L. et al. Shelf life of pork from five different quality classes. Meat Science , v.84, n.3, p.466-469, 2010. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017>. Accessed: Out. 10, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009...
)'s criterion, DFD had a higher (P<0.05) pH24h than PSE and RSE (mean of 5.6±0.02), while the pH24h of RFN was similar (P>0.05) to the others.

Only WARNER et al. (1997WARNER, R.D. et al. Muscle protein changes post mortem in relation to pork quality traits. Meat Science , v.45, n.3, p.339-352, 1997. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7>. Accessed: Nov. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)...
) and FAUCITANO et al. (2010FAUCITANO, L. et al. Shelf life of pork from five different quality classes. Meat Science , v.84, n.3, p.466-469, 2010. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017>. Accessed: Out. 10, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009...
) utilized the pH24h as one of their parameters to classify the pork quality, which, in addition of MAGANHINI et al. (2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. )'s criterion, separated the pH24h of the DFD category from the others. Although the rate of initial pH decrease can allow the detection of PSE meat, the DFD category is usually detected by the pH24h, wherein a higher average value (>6.0) is observed in DFD meats than in the others categories (RAMOS & GOMIDE, 2007RAMOS, E.M.; GOMIDE, L.A.M. Avaliação da qualidade de carnes: fundamentos e metodologias. Viçosa: UFV, 2007. 599p.). However, none of these criteria could differentiate satisfactorily both initial and ultimate pH among the quality categories. KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
) demonstrated that measurement of pH24h alone is not a reliable indicator for predicting ultimate pork quality.

As expected, RFN had a lower (P<0.05) R-value than PSE and DFD (mean of 1.2±0.02) by the criterion proposed by HONIKEL & FISHER (1977HONIKEL, K.O.; FISHER, C.A. A rapid method for the detection of PSE and DFD porcine muscles. Journal of Food Science, v.42, n.7, p.1633-1636, 1977. ). According to these authors, RFN meats usually have a lower R-value than the others pork quality categories. However, for the KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
) and WARNER et al. (1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
)'s criteria, the R-value of RSE (1.1) and DFD (1.0 to 1.1) were similar (P>0.05) to those of the other categories, while PSE (1.1 to 1.2) had a greater (P<0.05) R-value than RFN (0.9 to 1.0). In contrast, WARNER et al. (1997), MAGANHINI et al. (2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. ) and FAUCITANO et al. (2010FAUCITANO, L. et al. Shelf life of pork from five different quality classes. Meat Science , v.84, n.3, p.466-469, 2010. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017>. Accessed: Out. 10, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009...
)'s criteria did not differentiate (P>0.05) the R-value among the quality categories.

According to the criteria proposed by KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
), WARNER et al. (1997WARNER, R.D. et al. Muscle protein changes post mortem in relation to pork quality traits. Meat Science , v.45, n.3, p.339-352, 1997. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7>. Accessed: Nov. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/S0309-1740(96)00116-7.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0309-1740(96)...
), WARNER et al. (1993) and MAGANHINI et al. (2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. ), DFD (41.6 to 48.5) had (P<0.05) lower L* values than the meats with a red color (RFN and RSE; 47.9 to 54.2), which had (P<0.05) lower L * values than PSE meat (53.5 to 60.8). This was expected since all these criteria used L * values as one the parameters to classify the pork quality. However, although the criterion proposed by FAUCITANO et al. (2010FAUCITANO, L. et al. Shelf life of pork from five different quality classes. Meat Science , v.84, n.3, p.466-469, 2010. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017>. Accessed: Out. 10, 2015. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2009.09.017.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2009...
) was also able to determine differences of lightness (L* ) among the quality categories (Table 3), it was not able to distinguish the red meat from pale meat (RSE from PSE) and also the red meat from dark meat (RFN from DFD). For the criteria that do not use L * as parameter of evaluation, the pH45min alone and pH45min and R-value did not distinguish (P>0.05) the L * values between the quality categories (mean of 51.7±0.5), which may be explained by no correlation (P>0.05) observed between L* and pH45min or R-value.

For redness (a * value), none of the criteria differentiated (P>0.05) samples among the quality categories, while for yellowness (b * value) only KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
), WARNER et al. (1993WARNER, R.D. et al. Quality attributes of major porcine muscles: A comparison with the Longissimus Lumborum. Meat Science , v.33, n.3, p.359-372, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5>. Accessed: Out. 03, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90007-5.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
) and MAGANHINI et al. (2007MAGANHINI, M.B. et al. Meats PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD (Dark, Firm, Dry) of an industrial slaughterline for swine loin. Ciência e Tecnologia de Alimentos, v.27, p.69-72, 2007. )'s criteria were able to differentiate them. By these criteria, DFD (3.3 to 4.7) showed (P<0.05) lower yellowness than PSE (5.3 to 7.0); whereas, RSE (5.3 to 5.7) was similar (P>0.05) to both. The response shown by the RFN category varied according to the criterion; it was similar to DFD, to PSE, or both, depending on the adopted criterion.

The differentiation of WHC, which were measured by PDL or FPW methods, among the quality categories, was the most dependent on the criterion adopted. All criteria showed some distinction among the quality categories, except for that proposed by KAUFFMAN et al. (1993KAUFFMAN, R.G. et al. The effectiveness of examining early post-mortem musculature to predict ultimate pork quality. Meat Science , v.34, n.3, p.283-300, 1993. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V>. Accessed: Nov. 01, 2015. doi: 10.1016/0309-1740(93)90078-V.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0309-1740(93)9...
), which did not differentiate FPW. Overall, as expected, DFD showed (P<0.05) lower PDL (1.1 to 5.3) and FPW (34 to 144) than PSE (7.3 to 9.9 for PDL and 198 to 220 for FPW) meat. Nevertheless, the PDL and FPW of RFN and RSE meats varied with the criteria, whose values were similar to DFD, to PSE, to adjacent categories, or to both PSE and DFD, according to the criterion adopted. A likely explanation for this is that PDL and FPW were correlated (P<0.05) with each other (r=0.67) and with practically all parameters of the evaluated criteria, except (P>0.05) with pH24h. This would explain the wide variation in the response shown by PDL and FPW among the quality categories for the evaluated criteria (Tables 2 and 3).

CONCLUSION:

A same sample could be classified into different quality categories according to the criterion utilized, which results in large variations in the frequency distributions and quality attributes. Therefore, the classification of pork quality depends on the adopted criterion, which indicated the need for international standardization so that the pork quality can be determined efficiently and effectively.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) for their financial support (MCT/CNPq 476355/2012-5) and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for the scholarship granted to the first (PIBIC/CNPq) and third (BPD-00398-13; post-doctoral PMPD II CAPES/FAPEMIG) authors.

REFERENCES:

  • CR-2016-0013.R1

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    15 Sept 2016
  • Date of issue
    Dec 2016

History

  • Received
    08 Jan 2016
  • Accepted
    06 June 2016
  • Reviewed
    30 Aug 2016
Universidade Federal de Santa Maria Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Centro de Ciências Rurais , 97105-900 Santa Maria RS Brazil , Tel.: +55 55 3220-8698 , Fax: +55 55 3220-8695 - Santa Maria - RS - Brazil
E-mail: cienciarural@mail.ufsm.br