Analysis of selected parameters influencing the technological and sensory quality of pork

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze selected parameters influencing the technological and sensory quality of pork. The material for the study was pork from the ham muscle and the ribeye muscles. The raw material came from a meat processing plant located in north-eastern Poland. The research was carried out on 80 porkers from various farms and farms. The tests included pH in 45 minutes and 24 hours from slaughter, meat color, water holding capacity, and the chemical composition of meat. It was found that half of the porkers had a lean content of more than 50%, and the best distinction between meat of normal quality and other quality classes results from the use of two or three different evaluation methods. The measurements of color and pH are most useful in assessing the quality of meat, but for the classification to be precise, some of them must be carried out immediately on the slaughter and as soon as the carcasses have cooled down. The brightness of the meat and the final pH values enable distinguishing between DFD meat and PSE meat. The color of normal meat is very similar to that of meat with the RSE defect. Significant (P ≤ 0.01) relationships were found between the protein content and the pH of the meat measured 45 minutes and 24 hours after slaughter. Significant relationships (P ≤ 0.01) also occurred between the values of the parameter a* and b* (trichromaticity coordinates).