Physicochemical characteristics that influence the meat pork quality in supermarkets in the central highlands of Mexico

Abstract

Twenty-two supermarkets in the Central Highlands of Mexico were sampled in order to classify them and to compare their pork meat quality based on its physicochemical characteristics. The supermarkets were classified in three types in accordance with socioeconomic status of buyers as low, medium, and high. Methods: Samples were obtained from the Longissimus dorsi muscle from 10th to 12th ribs. Results: Objective color was L* 46.97, a* 6.22 and b* 5.1. Subjective color indicated that it was red with a value of 3.06, subjective marbling was 2.8 %, and objective value was 2.9 %. Moisture varied from 690 to 739.3 g/kg, protein varied from 205.5 g/kg to 229. 6 g/kg and shear force (SF) was 2.87 kg/cm2 . There were no significant differences (P≥0.05) between the variables besides subjective marbling. Tukey´s test indicated that the lowest average included low and medium socioeconomic status supermarkets, which means that the fat content found in the chop eye is less than in meat in high socioeconomic level supermarkets. Conclusions and recommendations: According to the results, pork sold in the supermarkets in the Central Highlands of Mexico was a tender meat with reddish pink color, firm texture and little exudation and with an appropriate protein and intramuscular fat contents.