Postmortem Changes in Electrical Capacitance and Resistivity of Pork

Abstract

Electrical capacitance and resistivity were measured in pork from 0 to 24 hr postmortem. Capacitance was not measurably affected by carcass temperature, nor was it significantly different between planes of electrode placement. Capacitance was related to pH (r = .83) and reflectance (r = .78). Resistance was affected by carcass temperature (r = −.99) and plane of electrode placement (P<.01). Resistivity (ohm-centimeters at 0 C) was related to pH (r = .71) and reflectance (r = .77). Resistivity and capacitance both decreased postmortem. Rates of decrease of both were faster in pigs with a fast rate of pH decline.