Effect of gamma irradiation on the microstructure and post-mortem anaerobic metabolism of bovine muscle

Experiments were performed to study the effect of gamma irradiation on morp hological properties and post-mortem metabolism in bovine M. sternomandibul aris with special reference to ultrastructure, sheat force, pH and ATP brea kdown. The shortening of sarcomere was not observed in gamma-irradiated mus cle, however, the disappearance of M-line and of A- and I-bands was percept ible. During cold storage, the destruction of muscle bundles was faster in the gamma-irradiated muscle than in the non-irradiated with a dose-dependen t manner. The same is true for the post mortem pH drop and ATP breakdown. S o, experimental results confirmed that the anaerobic metabolism and morphol ogical properties are noticeably affected by gamma irradiation in beef. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.