Respiration of Mitochondria Isolated from Dark-Cutting Beef: Postmortem Changes

Abstract

DARK-CUTTING beef can be produced experimentally by subcutaneous injection of epinephrine 24 hr. prior to slaughter (Hedrick et al.,1959). The sequence of events initiated presumably is the same as that resulting from overt forms of stress imposed upon the animal which effect the release of endogenous hormone. In the experimental animals, glycogen phosphorylase is activated (Ashmoreet al.,1971), and muscle glycogene is depleted, resulting in an abnormally high ultimate (48 hr.)pH of the meat (Hedrick et al.,1959). Copyright © 1972. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1972 by American Society of Animal Science