Abstract

CASTRILLON, Wilson E; FERNANDEZ, Jorge A  and  RESTREPO, Luis F. Variables associated PSE (Pale, Soft, Exudative) to meat in porcine carcasses. Rev Colom Cienc Pecua [online]. 2007, vol.20, n.3, pp.327-338. ISSN 0120-0690.

The presence of the PSE (pale, soft and exudative) condition in porcine carcass causes high economic losses to the meat industry. The PSE appearance depends on many variables, some of which are intrinsic of the animal, and others are related to transportation conditions to the slaughterhouse. The aim of the present study was to determine if there is or not an association between some of the above mentioned variables and the PSE condition. The studied variables were: genetic, sex, food, weight, time of fasting, time of transportation, density, temperature and humidity during transportation, type of truck, resting time, dorsal fat, carcass efficiency and carcass weight losses. Carcasses of commercial genetic pigs (n = 474) were tested and semimembranous muscle pH was done at 45 minutes (pH₄₅ ) and then at 24 h post-sacrifice, using IQ 200 Scientific Instruments^®, with an ISFET^® type probe. Test of principal components of GLM with contrast test of Tukey with 95% of significance, and univariate and divariate frequencies distribution was applied. The results demonstrate that there was highly significant association (p<0.01) between pH₄₅ and variables as density, food, type of truck, genetic and the resting time. The sex and the time of transportation also had significant association (p<0.05), but only with pH₄₅ . Additionally, differences between genetic, sex (highest values of pH₄₅ to males) and food (p<0.05) were found. Also, there were interactions between: sex - fasting, sex - food, sex - resting and sex - transportation (p<0.05). According to the results, PSE condition is not a unicausal phenomenon and consequently it needs an integral managment.

Keywords : carcass; pork; pH; PSE; quality; swine.

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