Pre slaughter factors in pigs on initial pH and temperature: a case study

ABSTRACT: This study evaluated factors associated with the pre-slaughter handling of pigs in a commercial slaughterhouse located in Minas Gerais and evaluated the influence of these factors on the initial pH and temperature of the carcasses. In all, 4449 carcasses were evaluated. The factors evaluated were transport distance, transport duration, loading density, fasting duration, resting duration, average weight of the animals, average temperature in the resting area, and maximum temperature in the resting area. The effects of these factors on the initial (i.e., at 45 minutes after slaughter) temperature and pH (pH45) were measured. The pH45 values were used to determine the occurrence of PSE; the carcasses were classified as PSE when they presented a pH45