Total Pigments and Myoglobin Concentration In Four Bovine Muscles

Abstract

SUMMARY —This research was to determine whether quantitative differences in total pigment and myoglobin concentration could be detected, chemically, in muscles which differed in visual color. For this purpose, a portion of the longissimus dorsi, psoas major, biceps femoris, and semitendinosus muscles was removed at specific locations, from choice‐grade steer carcasses, for use as experimental material. Each muscle was subjected to total pigment, myoglobin, fat, and moisture analysis. Hemoglobin content was determined by the difference between total pigment and myoglobin concentrations, Correction of total pigment and myoglobin concentration for fat and/or moisture was used to determine its influence upon the variation in the quantity of muscle pigmentation. Precise results were obtained with the total pigment and myoglobin procedures. Total pigment concentration was greatest in the biceps femoris and least in the semitendinosus. Little difference was obtained between the longissimus dorsi and psoas major. Myoglobin concentration, in decreasing order of magnitude, for the muscles studied was biceps femoris, longissimus dorsi, psoas major, and semitendinosus. The difference between myoglobin and total pigment concentration in the psoas major muscle was a result of hemoglobin constituting a greater portion of the total pigmentation. Results also indicated that hemoglobin contributed more to total pigment concentration and probably to muscle color than previously reported. The significance of the results obtained was not altered by correcting the data for fat and/or moisture.

A study of housing conditions necessary for white veal production

“…Blood haemoglobin levels were higher than those reported by Khouri and Pickering (1968) for anaemic and (1969) for normal calves, presumably because of adequate supplementation of the commercial calf feeding preparation with iron. The myoglobin levels of the calves in the present experiment were 11-12% of those in the same muscle in mature steers (Rickansrud and Henrickson 1967) and are on the expected lowest position on the curve of Lawrie (1961) which relates myoglobin content to age of animal. However, in the present calves, haemoglobin contributed almost half of the total pigment measured in the m. longissimus dorsi, whereas in mature cattle, haemoglobin comprised only a fifth of the total muscle pigment (Rickansrud and Henrickson 1967).…”

“…The myoglobin levels of the calves in the present experiment were 11-12% of those in the same muscle in mature steers (Rickansrud and Henrickson 1967) and are on the expected lowest position on the curve of Lawrie (1961) which relates myoglobin content to age of animal. However, in the present calves, haemoglobin contributed almost half of the total pigment measured in the m. longissimus dorsi, whereas in mature cattle, haemoglobin comprised only a fifth of the total muscle pigment (Rickansrud and Henrickson 1967). The large contribution of haemoglobin to total pigment in veal calves means that anaemia could contribute to a greater extent towards the paler muscle colour than is likely in more mature animals.…”

“…In addition, a cross section of the m. longissimus dorsi was taken from the same location, minced, and analysed for myoglobin and haemoglobin as described by Rickansrud and Henrickson (1967). Fat and moisture were determined on duplicate samples by the method of Kirton et al (1962).…”

Isolation and Purification of Turkey Heme Proteins

“…The myoglobin was stored as an ammonium sulfate paste until needed. The concentration of crude myoglobin was calculated by the method of Richansrud and Henrickson (1967).…”

Effect of Cadmium in Feed on Organs and Meat Colour of Growing Pigs

“…Myoglobin (Mb) content of longissimus dorsi was measured by the method of Rickansrud and Henrickson (1967).…”