Adenine nucleotide concentrations and glycolytic enzyme activities in longissimus muscle samples of different pig genotypes collected before and after slaughter

Longissimus muscle samples from the pig genotypes Duroc (Du), Pietrain (MHS homozygote negative (PiNN), positive (PiPP)) and a Duroc-Pietrain crossbreed (DuPi) were analyzed. The PiPP samples showed a faster pH drop and higher electrical conductivity, drip loss and lightness values. Before slaughter the concentrations of the adenine nucleotides were comparable between the genotypes, but 40 min after slaughter (p.m.) the ATP concentrations decreased and IMP increased, to a higher extent in the PiPP pigs. The nucleotide values of the 12 h p.m. samples were again comparable. Activities of glycogen phosporylase (GP), phosphofructokinase (PFK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were nearly similar before slaughter. Forty minutes after slaughter the LDH activities increased in all pigs and the PFK activities in all genotypes but not in the PiPP. GP results were rather inconsistent indicating an earlier activation of this enzyme. The study showed that the reduced meat quality in the PiPP pigs is accompanied with rapid ATP degradation and accelerated enzyme activation.

► ATP degradation and glycolytic enzyme activities in muscles of four pig genotypes
► Changes of these parameters around slaughter of the pigs in relation to meat quality
► Similar nucleotide contents and enzyme activities in the pigs before slaughter
► Poorer meat quality in pigs with RyR mutation (PiPP)
► Accelerated ATP degradation and enzyme activation in PiPP pigs