Drip loss was 1.8 percentage units less (Pb0.05) for both the LD
and SM of treated muscles when compared to controls, but the PM
and TB were not different (Table 1). Fiber type differences amongmuscles may explain the varied results found in pH and drip loss.
Horgan (1981) determined fast twitch muscles experienced a larger
pH decline (0.6–0.8 units) than slow twitch muscles (0.2 units) after
each were subjected to HPP. Previous work also found water-holding
capacity significantly higher in HPP treated pre-rigor bovine and ovine
muscle (Kennick et al., 1980). Kennick et al. (1980) also reported
treated muscles had an ultimate pH that was significantly lower than
their non treated counter parts; thus explaining the decreased water
holding capacity. Other studies that reported high ultimate pH due to
HPP did not investigate drip loss.