Contribution of postmortem changes of integrin, desmin and μ-calpain to variation in water holding capacity of pork

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between integrin, desmin, μ-calpain and water holding capacity in fresh pork. High levels of intact integrin at one day postmortem were negatively correlated with day 1 (P < 0.05) and days 1–5 (cumulative) drip loss (P < 0.05). High levels of intact integrin at five days postmortem were negatively correlated with days 1–7 (cumulative) purge loss (P < 0.05). Intensity of intact desmin at one day postmortem was positively correlated with days 1–7 purge loss (P < 0.01). There were positive correlations between intensity of intact desmin at day 7 and day 1 (P < 0.01), days 1–5 drip loss (P < 0.01) and days 1–7 purge loss (P < 0.05). Autolysis of μ-calpain was associated with the degradation of desmin and drip or purge loss postmortem. Our results indicate that low levels of degradation of integrin and high levels of desmin degradation were associated with low drip loss values in fresh pork.