Effect of Low‐Calcium‐Requiring Calcium Activated Factor on Myofibrils under Varying pH and Temperature Conditions

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Abstract
The effect of low‐calcium‐requiring calcium‐activated factor (μM CAF) on the myofibrils under varying pH at 5°C and 25°C was examined spectrophotometrically (absorbance at 278 nm), electrophoretically (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis), and microscopically (phase microscopy and transmission electron microscopy). Results indicated that at conditions similar to those of postmortem storage (i.e., pH 5.5–5.8 and 5°C), μM CAF retained 24–28% of its maximum activity (pH 7.5 at 25°C). This 24–28% of maximum activity was sufficient to reproduce most of the known changes associated with the tenderization process during postmortem aging. It was concluded that because of the activity of μM CAF under postmortem conditions, it seems reasonable to suggest that μM CAF may be responsible, in part, for some of the postmortem changes observed.