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Development of Rigor Mortis in Intact Sides of Pork Measured with a Portable Rigorometer¹

University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1G 2W1

Abstract

The development of rigor mortis in the semimembranosus muscles of intact sides of pork was measured with a portable rigorometer. The rigorometer had a solenoid-operated lever that was connected to the muscle mass by plastic-covered copper wire. The system was operated by a microcomputer that automatically collected and analyzed the data. Development of rigor mortis was detected by a reduction in the movement of the muscle mass when stretched and by a decrease in the hysteresis area of the stress-strain relationship. Complete development of rigor mortis occurred at 197 ± 113 min postmortem with a range from 70 to 430 min (n=22). The development of rigor mortis was concurrent with a loss of electrical capacitance.

¹ Research supported by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

² Dept. Anim. and Poul. Sci. and Dept. Food Sci.