DIFFERENCES IN MUSCLE PROTEOLYTIC ACTIVITIES AMONG PORK BREED TYPES

Activities of muscle cathepsins (B, D, H and L) and aminopeptidases (a lanyl-, arginyl- and leucyl-hydrolyzing activity) and the contents of free amino acids have been quantified to determine differences in prot eolytic activity among breed types. Cathepsins B + L and H and arginin e were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the hams from Duroc crossbred pigs. Alanyl-hydrolyzing activity was significantly higher in White B elgium hams but this breed had significant lower amounts of glutamic a cid, glutamine, tyrosine, isoleucine and leucine. Breed-type did not a lter cathepsins B and D nor leucyl-hydrolyzing activity.