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Updated: Apr 14, 2026
Immunolabelling Myofiber Degeneration in Muscle Biopsies
Published on: December 5, 2019
Hyperspectral deep ultraviolet autofluorescence of muscle fibers is affected by postmortem changes
Caroline Chagnot, Annie Vénien, Frédéric Jamme1,2
1§BP48, Synchrotron SOLEIL, L'Orme des Merisiers, F-91120 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Abstract:
After slaughter, muscle cells undergo biochemical and physicochemical changes that may affect their autofluorescence characteristics. The autofluorescent response of different rat extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscle fiber types was investigated by deep ultraviolet (UV) synchrotron microspectroscopy immediately after animal sacrifice and after 24 h of storage in a moist chamber at 20 °C. The glycogen content decreased from 23 to 18 μmol/g of fresh muscle in 24 h postmortem. Following a 275 nm excitation wavelength, the spectral muscle fiber autofluorescence response showed discrimination depending upon postmortem time (t0 versus t24 h) on both muscles at 346 and 302 nm and, to a lesser extent, at 408 and 325 nm. Taken individually, all fiber types were discriminated but with variable accuracy, with type IIA showing better separation of t0/t24 h than other fiber types. These results suggest the usefulness of the autofluorescent response of muscle cells for rapid meat-aging characterization.
Insights
Muscle cells change after slaughter, affecting their autofluorescence. This study shows autofluorescence can rapidly characterize meat aging in rat muscles, distinguishing postmortem times.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Muscle Physiology
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Muscle cells undergo significant biochemical and physicochemical changes postmortem.
- These changes can alter the intrinsic autofluorescence properties of muscle tissue.
- Understanding these alterations is crucial for meat quality assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the autofluorescent response of different rat muscle fiber types (extensor digitorum longus and soleus) immediately postmortem and after 24 hours of storage.
- To determine if autofluorescence can discriminate between different postmortem times and muscle fiber types.
- To assess the potential of autofluorescence for rapid meat-aging characterization.
Main Methods:
- Deep ultraviolet (UV) synchrotron microspectroscopy was employed to analyze muscle autofluorescence.
- Measurements were taken on extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus muscle fibers from rats at two time points: immediately after sacrifice (t0) and 24 hours postmortem (t24 h).
- Glycogen content was measured to correlate with biochemical changes.
Main Results:
- A decrease in glycogen content was observed from 23 to 18 μmol/g within 24 hours postmortem.
- Autofluorescence spectra, particularly at excitation of 275 nm, showed significant discrimination between t0 and t24 h at emission wavelengths of 346 nm and 302 nm, and to a lesser extent at 408 nm and 325 nm.
- All investigated muscle fiber types (e.g., type IIA) demonstrated discrimination between postmortem times, with type IIA exhibiting higher accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Muscle cell autofluorescence is sensitive to postmortem changes, including glycogen depletion.
- Autofluorescence spectroscopy, especially using deep UV excitation, can effectively differentiate muscle samples based on postmortem aging.
- The findings support the utility of muscle cell autofluorescence as a rapid and non-destructive method for meat-aging characterization.
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