Three replicate trials were conducted to determine the influence of raw bre
ast meat color and pH on subsequent cooked meat color and pH. In each trial
, approximately 50 breast fillets were obtained from a commercial processin
g plant based on being either normal, lighter than normal, or darker than n
ormal. Color (L* = lightness, a* = redness, and b* = yellowness) of each fi
llet was determined in triplicate on the underside surface of the fillet (t
o avoid scalding effects), and the pH was determined on a tissue sample rem
oved from the posterior portion of each fillet. Fillets were then cooked in
steam at 98 C for 20 min and cooled to room temperature, and a second samp
le was removed from the posterior section for cooked meat pH. Cooked meat c
olor was measured on an exposed surface, to avoid cooking-related discolora
tion. The data were subjected to linear regression analysis to determine th
e relationship between raw and cooked values. Results indicated a significa
nt linear relationship between raw and cooked values for each color paramet
er as well as pH. Model R-2 values were 0.43, 0.40, 0.64, and 0.78 for L*,
a*, b*, and pH, respectively. There were also significant linear relationsh
ips between raw meat L* and raw muscle pH (R-2 = 0.59) as well as cooked me
at L* and raw meat pH (R-2 = 0.36). These results indicate that raw breast
meat color and pH affect cooked breast meat color and pH but that cooking r
educes the degree of color variation. Moreover, cooked meat lightness is mo
re closely associated with raw breast meat pH than with cooked meat pH.