The influence of transportation on turkey meat quality.

Previous research has indicated that antemortem stress factors can influence the development of pale, soft, and exudative (PSE) meat in swine as well as in turkeys. Such antemortem factors can include environmental temperatures, relative humidity, preslaughter handling practices, and transportation. However, the effect of transportation on meat quality of turkeys has not been extensively studied. Eighty Nicholas male turkeys (21 wk of age) were divided into two groups and were either transported in coops on a flatbed trailer for 3 h immediately prior to processing or processed without transportation. Breast muscle samples were collected for pH (0, 2, 24 h), L* value (2, 24 h), drip loss, and cook loss. Additionally, breast fillets were marinated and cooked to determine marination uptake, retention, and cook loss. The breast muscles from transported turkeys had significantly higher muscle pH at 0, 2, and 24 h; significantly lower L* values at 2 and 24 h; significantly higher marination retention (i.e., lower drip loss after marination); and significantly lower cook loss in the marinated fillets compared with fillets of the nontransported turkeys. There were no significant differences in drip loss and cook loss of the nonmarinated fillets or the marination uptake percentage between the transported and nontransported turkeys. These results suggest that transporting turkeys immediately before processing does not induce PSE meat and may actually improve water-holding properties.