Effect of Myosin Heavy Chain Isoforms on Muscle Fiber Characteristics and Meat Quality in Porcine Longissimus Muscle

This study examined the effect of the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms on the muscle fiber characteristics, protein denaturation and meat quality in the porcine longissimus muscle. MHC 1 isoform content showed a higher correlation with the number and area (r = 0.74 − 0.77) percentage of fiber type I than other isoforms. The low group, categorized by low MHC 1 isoform content, had a lower pH45min, a paler surface and a higher drip loss than the high group. Moreover, the MHC 1 isoform content showed a positive correlation with the level of protein solubility (r = 0.42 − 0.45). These results suggest that the contents of the MHC isoforms affect the biochemical characteristics of the muscles and pork quality. Therefore, the contents of the MHC isoforms, particularly MHC 1 isoform, are a useful parameter for examining the variation in protein denaturation and meat quality.