The aim of this research work was to evaluate the effect of the halothane gene on the quality characteristics of pork. Commercial hybrid pork carcasses (151) were used for the trial, 93 with normal halothane genotype (HalNN), 51 heterozygous genotype (HalNn) and 7 homozigous recessive genotype (Hal nn). The measured attributes were carcass weight, muscle temperature at 45 minutes and pH at 45 minutes and 24 hours after the slaughter at the Longissimus dorsi muscle and color. Identification of the halothane genotype was determined in fat samples through the PCR-RLPC technique. Significant differences were observed between HalNn and HalNN and between Hal nn and HalNN pigs in relation to the inicial pH and color of the meat. The PSE carcasses frequency was greater in the Hal nn and in the HalNn pigs than in the HalNN (85.71, 58.82, and 36,56%, based on the initial pH; 71.43, 47.06, and 17.20%, based on color, respectively). The halothane genotype did not affect muscle temperature and final pH. Related to pH and color, the quality of pork was inferior in the Hal nn and the HalNn pigs than in the HalNN.
halothane gene; pork quality; pse
