Correlation of electrical conductivity and color with water loss and shear force of pork loin

This study investigated the relationship of electrical conductivity and color to water loss and shear force of pork loin.In addition, the differences in quality properties with the sex and carcass grades were investigated.There were no differences in drip loss, cooking loss, and total loss of pork loin between barrow and gilt (p > 0.05).The shear force of pork loin was lower in barrow than in gilt (p < 0.05).The quality properties of pork loin did not differ among the carcass grades (1 + , 1, and 2).The electrical conductivity measured at 45 min, 3 h, and 12 h had no noticeable correlation coefficients with the quality properties of pork loin.The L*, a*, and b* values correlated significantly with cooking loss and total loss.The highest correlation coefficient was 0.45 between L* and total loss.From the results, we conclude that the electrical conductivity and color values are not suitable variables for predicting pork loin quality.Therefore, further study to develop ways for predicting the pork quality during the grading of pork carcasses is required.