MEAT PIGMENT DETERMINATION BY A SIMPLE AND NONTOXIC ALKALINE HEMATIN METHOD - (AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE HORNSEY AND THE CYANOMETMYOGLOBIN METHODS)

A method is described for the determination of total pigment content in porcine meat by conversion to haematin (ferriprotoporphyrin hydroxide), and using the non-ionic detergent Triton X-100 to increase the absorptivity. The method is presented as an alternative to the well-known Hornsey and cyanometmyoglobin methods. The alkaline haematin method requires a single reagent, sodium hydroxide and the detergent Triton X-100. This combination is probably less poisonous and more stable than the reagents used in the Hornsey (1956) and the cyanometmyoglobin methods. The method presented here is also more sensitive than the alkaline haematin method presented by Lawrie (1950). Reference solutions of alkaline haematin can be prepared easily. © 1990.