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Abstract
Lipid oxidation in post mortem muscle is characterized by a series of complex reactions, which are closely interlinked and are responsible for the loss of meat quality. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of lipid oxidation products 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) and 4-oxo-2-nonenal (ONE) on bovine heart mitochondria, which are important organelles responsible for determining meat quality. For this, mitochondria were isolated from beef heart and incubated with HNE, ONE or ethanol to examine induced changes in their structure and functions. The electron micrographs and membrane permeability assay showed that the HNE and ONE incubated mitochondria were larger (P < 0.05) in area and had increased permeability compared with ethanol control. Similarly, oxygen consumption rate and metmyoglobin reducing activity were also decreased (P < 0.05) due to HNE or ONE. Hence, the result of this study indicated that the HNE and ONE could lead to mitochondria mediated meat quality loss.