Open AccessComparing Gas and Electrical Stunning: Effects on Meat Quality of Pigs When Pre-Stunning Physical Activity Is Minimal
Author(s) -
Claudia Terlouw,
Véronique Deiss,
Thierry Astruc
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
foods
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.774
H-Index - 38
ISSN - 2304-8158
DOI - 10.3390/foods10020319
Subject(s) - stunning , myocardial stunning , limiting , zoology , chemistry , medicine , anesthesia , biology , ischemia , mechanical engineering , engineering
A total of thirty pigs were experimentally slaughtered using gas (80% CO 2 in air, 90 s; 30% CO 2 /70% N 2 O; 90 s) or electrical stunning (1.3 A, 10 s). Stunning may accelerate post-mortem muscle metabolism, due to psychological stress and/or muscle contractions. The specific effects of the stunning method were studied by limiting pre-stunning physical activity and stress: pigs were driven in a trolley from the rearing to the stunning site (6.5 m) and immediately slaughtered. Bleeding efficiency and carcass characteristics were similar and satisfactory for all stunning methods. Early post-mortem pH decline in the Longissimus lumborum was faster following gas compared to electrical stunning. The pH of other muscles was not influenced; color and drip loss showed minor effects. Hence, results are in contrast to current beliefs: compared to electrical stunning, following gas stunning, the stress and muscle contractions during the induction of unconsciousness have a slightly greater impact on Longissimus lumborum muscle metabolism; differences are minor and limited to certain muscles only.