Effects of live animal sampling procedures and sample storage on the glycolytic potential of porcine longissimus muscle samples

Eight hybrid gilts of Hampshire descent were selected at 110 kg live weight, grouped together in one pen and given a one-week adaption period prior to sampling. Longissimus samples (approximately 0.5 g) were taken using springloaded biopsy equipment with animals either unrestrained and free to move in the pen or, 3 h later, restrained with a nose snare for two minutes prior to sampling. There was no difference among the two handling approaches for glycolytic potential (P > 0.05). Animals were slaughtered and four longissimus samples (0.5 g) were taken from each carcass immediately following exsangination to evaluate four sample storage methods. Two viable storage methods, freezing in liquid nitrogen followed by freeze drying or immediate homogenization in perchloric acid yielded relatively high and similar values for muscle glycolytic potential.