Application of gel-based proteome analysis techniques to studying post-mortem proteolysis in meat

This study was conducted to evaluate the possible application of 2 D-SDS-PAGE (2 DE)-based proteome analysis techniques to the assessment of extreme proteolysis in postmortem skeletal muscle. Eight Hanwoo longissimus muscles were incubated immediately after slaughter for 24 h at 5°C, 15°C or 36°C. Warner Bratzler (WB)-shear force and ultrastructural configuration were determined at 24 h, and rate of proteolysis to 24 h was determined by 1 D-SDS-PAGE (1 DE) and 2 DE. in addition, tentative protein identification was performed from peptide mass fingerprints of MALDI-ToF analysis of major protein groups on 2 DE profiles. The result showed that although ultrastructural configuration was similar between the 5°C and 36°C treatments, meat at 5°C had higher WB-shear force (approximately 5 kg greater). A higher rate of protein degradation at 36°C was observed based on Troponin-T degradation, 1 DE, and 2 DE analysis. This indicates that proteolysis during the early postmortem period was a significant determinant of shear force at. 24 h. Little difference in proteolysis between 5°C and 15°C treatments was found based on classic 1 DE profile assessment. Meanwhile, considerable differences in the 2 DE profiles between the two treatments were revealed, with substantially higher rate of proteolysis at 15°C compared to 5°C. Nuclease treatment improved 2 DE profile resolution. 400 μg and 600 μg of sample loading appeared to be appropriate for 24 cm pH 3-10 and pH 5-7 IPG strips, respectively. Protein detection and quantification of the 5°C, 15°C and 36°C 2 DE profiles revealed 78, 163 and 232 protein spots respectively that were differentially modified in terms of their electrophoretic properties between approximately pI 5.3-7.7 with the molecular weight range of approximately 71-12 kDa. The current results demonstrated that 2 DE was a superior tool to 1 DE for characterising proteolysis in postmortem skeletal muscle.