INTRAMUSCULAR COLLAGEN CONTENT AND SOLUBILITY: THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO TENDERNESS AND ALTERATION BY POSTMORTEM AGING

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Abstract
A total of 108 longissimus dorsi (LD) and 36 semitendinosus (ST) muscles from predominantly 1/2- or 3/4-blood Charolais, Simmental or Chianina cattle ranging in chronological age from 11 to 15 mo and with carcass weights of approximately 270 kg were utilized to evaluate the effects of postmortem aging upon tenderness and intramuscular collagen content and solubility. The relationship of tenderness to intramuscular collagen content and solubility after various intervals of postmortem aging, and interrelationships of intramuscular collagen contents and solubilities among muscles were also examined. In general, the results of this study failed to provide direct evidence that up to 480 h (20 days) of postmortem aging significantly altered intramuscular collagen content or solubility in the LD or ST muscles. The results also failed to provide evidence of a significant relationship between intramuscular collagen content or solubility and shear force values in beef carcasses with chronological ages, carcass weights, and breeding similar to those evaluated. Furthermore, no significant relationships between intramuscular collagen contents and solubilities of different muscles were detected.