Environmental Influence on High Energy Phosphate Metabolites in Porcine Muscle

Abstract

SUMMARY: Adenosine triphosphate, creatine phosphate and glucose‐6‐phosphate levels in the muscle of Poland China pigs reared under controlled temperature conditions were studied. Longissimus dorsi muscle from animals reared in 32°C environments had higher initial levels of adenosine triphosphate and creatine phosphate (P < 0.05) and lower levels of glucose‐6‐phosphate than that from animals reared at 21°C. Muscle from the latter group of animals underwent more rapid post‐mortem glycolysis (measured as muscle pH) and more rapid increase in light reflectance. Results indicate that accelerated post‐mortem glycolysis in muscle from pigs grown in specified environments may be a reflection of environmental effects upon the ability of porcine muscle to store and maintain high levels of high energy phosphate compounds.