Changes of myofibrillar and centrifugal drip proteins and shear force of psoas major and minor and semitendinosus muscles from calves, heifers and cows during post-mortem ageing

Changes in myofibrillar protein content and centrifugal drip proteins of psoas major and minor (PM) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles of calves, heifers and cows taken from carcasses on the 1st, 6th and 12th day of post-mortem cold storage were estimated. Washed myofibrils and centrifugal drip from muscles were analysed using SDS-PAGE 10 and 12% polyacrylamide gels. No significant changes were observed in content of contractile proteins, α-actinin and regulatory proteins (except for TN-T). There were no significant differences between muscles from investigated groups and between muscles aged in chilled conditions. The levels of titin T1 during ageing varied slightly. The 30 kDa-fraction appearance was fastest in calf, slower in heifer and slowest in cow muscles. More pronounced differences in the level of protein degradation with regards to muscle type, age of animals and time of storage were found in the centrifugal drip of meat. In the drip, the level of high molecular weight proteins was higher in muscles from young animals and in the muscles stored longer. The opposite was observed in case of 26–28 kDa proteins. Their amount in muscle drip decreased with increased storage time. The rate of proteolysis and release of cytoskeletal proteins during cold storage of muscles were related to change in shear values of roasted meat. The highest rate of protein degradation was observed in PM calf muscle and the lowest rate in ST cow muscle. The fastest tenderization process was registered in calves muscles and the slowest tenderization in cows.