Postmortem glycolysis and glycogenolysis: insights from species comparisons

After an animal is harvested for meat, the skeletal muscle initiates a complex series of biochemical reactions in an attempt to maintain energy homeostasis. In order to maintain energy homeostasis, enzymes within the skeletal muscle metabolize stored carbohydrate into energy under predominantly anaerobic conditions in a process known as postmortem energy metabolism. Because these biochemical reactions have the potential to affect meat quality attributes either positively or negatively, evaluating their regulation postmortem is fundamental to understanding meat quality. In this review, the regulation of postmortem glycolytic enzymes will be evaluated. Special consideration will be given to species-specific quality defects in pigs, poultry, and fish as a means to further discuss similarities and differences in postmortem glycolysis and glycogenolysis.