The objective of this work was to investigate the influence of water spray treatment before broiler slaughtering on the quality of breast meat (Pectoralis major) and to observe ultrastructural changes promoted by the biochemical/physiological events during rigor mortis onset. Commercial Ross chickens were divided into two groups: Untreated Group (UG) (n = 608) and Treated Group (TG) (n = 611), without and with water shower treatment, respectively. Drip and cook losses, pH and color measured after 24 h postmortem demonstrated that antemortem water shower treatment inhibited PSE development in chicken breast meat. Histological studies of the PSE samples from UG birds after 72 h postmortem revealed under light microscopy a shrinking of muscle cell diameter by approximately 10% in relation to TG samples and an extracellular enlargement of endomysium and perimysium sheaths. By electron microscopy of PSE meat, Z‐lines appeared fragmented, A‐bands including the M‐line disappeared and a super‐contraction of sarcomeres was observed, indicating that proteins were adversely affected by heat stress.

The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of road transportation conditions on the occurrence of broiler PSE-(Pale, Soft, Exudative) and DFD-like (Dark, Firm, Dry)

No abstract

The interrelationship between phospholipase A2 activity (PLA (2)) and the development of pale, soft, exudative meat (PSE) in chicken was evaluated. Pectoralis major m. from female birds of 45 days of age after hatch was studied and determination of the enzyme activity was estimated by the formation of long‐chain fatty acids. The occurrence of PSE was evaluated by measuring pH, L* values, water holding capacity and sarcoplasmic Ca2+ concentration from both heat‐stressed and nonstressed birds. In addition, the occurrence of the syndrome was monitored with birds advancing in age. Our studies revealed that PLA(2) plays an important role towards the occurrence of PSE symptoms and its activity increased as the birds became older. The enzyme activity was detected from the beginning of our experiment at 36 days and increased up to 70 days after hatch. The overall average activity was 1.25 times more pronounced in PSE samples from heat‐treated birds when compared to control animals (P ≤ 0.05).

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ABSTRACT

Throughout the chicken production chain, transport from farm to the commercial abattoir is one of the most critical sources of stress, particularly heat stress. The aim of this work was to describe the performance of a new prototype truck container designed to improve the microenvironment and reduce the incidence of pale, soft and exudative (PSE) meat and dead on arrival (DOA) occurrences. Experiments were carried out for four different conditions: regular and prototype truck, both with and without wetting loaded cages at the farm (for bird thermal stress relief) just before transporting. While there was no difference in the DOA index (P ≥ 0.05), the prototype truck caused a reduction (P < 0.05) in the occurrence of PSE meat by 66.3% and 49.6% with and without wetting, respectively. The results of this experiment clearly revealed a low-cost solution for transporting chickens that yields better animal welfare conditions and improves meat quality.

ABSTRACT