SUMMARY:A study of the physical changes associated with rigor mortis in breast muscle was undertaken to assess the factors that may influence ultimate tenderness. Isometric tension changes and shortening were measured at temperatures 2–37°C. These changes were measured while holding the muscle strips in a phosphate buffer, pH 7.2. Isometric tension was measured by transducers and recorded on a physiograph. A pattern of tension development and gradual relaxation has been demonstrated to occur post‐mortem in strips of turkey breast muscle held isometrically. The time to maximum tension development occurs in 3.85 ± 0.19 hr and is not linearly related (P<.05) to temperature. The amount of maximum tension developed averaged 25 g/cm2and was significantly (P<.05) related to temperature. Relaxation to about 50 of maximum occurs in 18 hr. The amount of shortening that occurs post‐mortem is linearly related (P<.01) to temperature. No “cold shortening” of turkey breast muscle
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