Effects of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal on beef heart mitochondrial ultrastructure, oxygen consumption, and metmyoglobin reduction

The effects of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) on mitochondria isolated from bovine hearts (n = 5) were assessed using ultrastructure, oxygen consumption, membrane permeability, HNE binding, and metmyoglobin reduction in vitro. Pre-incubation (pH 5.6 and 7.4 at 25 °C) of mitochondria with HNE decreased oxygen consumption compared with samples without HNE (P < 0.05). Electron microscopy revealed that HNE-treated mitochondria were swollen and had increased membrane permeability at pH 7.4, compared with ethanol controls. Conversely, mitochondria incubated with HNE at pH 5.6 had decreased volume and permeability. Fluorescence studies indicate that HNE binds to the membrane of mitochondria isolated from bovine cardiac muscle (at pH 5.6 and 7.4). HNE-treated mitochondria at both pH 5.6 and 7.4 had lower metmyoglobin reduction and NADH dependent metmyoglobin reductase activity compared with control mitochondria without HNE (P < 0.05). In addition to covalent binding with myoglobin, HNE may influence beef color stability by interacting with mitochondria.

► Mitochondria incubated with HNE at pH 5.6 had decreased volume and permeability. ► 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal binds to the membrane of bovine cardiac mitochondria. ► 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal decreased metmyoglobin reduction. ► 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal can influence beef color by interacting with mitochondria.