Generally, meat from HPP and US cattle had higher cooking loss, lower
water-holding capacity (WHC), greater degree of lipid oxidation, poorer
colour values and high peak force values (tougher). The adverse effects
on meat quality resulting from the application of HPP were found to be
more apparent and consistent in the Semitendinosus (ST) than in the
Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle. The resulting lower WHC following HPP
stunning could be explained by earlier onset of rigor due to more rapid
glycolytic changes caused by the more stressful slaughtering conditions
experienced by the animals. The early breakdown of muscle glycogen
usually leads to an earlier pH drop which, if occurring at high carcase
temperature, can lead to denaturation of muscle proteins—a state
where the polarity of proteins and ability to bind water molecules are
usually disrupted