Visualization of drip channels in meat using NMR microimaging.

The progressive changes in the water distribution within rabbit muscles were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy during the first 24 h postmortem. T(2) images revealed development of interspersed lines with higher signal intensities in the muscle, reflecting formation of channels containing mobile water. The appearance of the interspersed lines progressed throughout the measuring period and became increasingly evident. After about 3 h postmortem the signal intensity also increased in areas near the surface of the samples, which reflects migration of the mobile water to the sample surface. Proton density images showed the presence of a chemical shift artifact in the interspersed lines, implying that the intrinsic development of water channels progressed in close proximity to the connective tissue.