Postmortem energy metabolism and meat quality development: Advances in basic pathways, endogenous regulatory factors, and exogenous management strategies

作者：Chao Ma, Wangang Zhang, Jian Zhang, Lei Zhou, Lujuan Xing, Rui Liu · 发表于：Journal of Advanced Research · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.jare.2025.10.010 · 被引用次数：15 · 研究领域：Meat and Animal Product Quality、Animal Nutrition and Physiology、Muscle Physiology and Disorders

BACKGROUND: A complex series of biochemical processes is involved during the transformation of muscle into meat, among which postmortem energy metabolism that contributes to adenosine triphosphate regeneration remains paramount. Thus, a timely and thorough overview of postmortem energy metabolism is essential for developing high-quality fresh meat. AIM OF REVIEW: The present work reviewed three basic pathways of postmortem energy metabolism and their impacts on meat quality development with special attention to mitochondria aerobic metabolism. In addition, endogenous factors and their mechanisms as well as exogenous strategies for regulating postmortem energy metabolism were also comprehensively summarized. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: Postmortem mitochondria, especially from livestock, remain metabolically active and exhibit oxygen consumption, which further mediates changes in muscle pH. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and hypoxia inducible factor-1α, as energy-controlling hubs, contribute notably to the activation of postmortem glycolysis. Several protein posttranslational modifications (e.g., S-nitrosylation and lactylation) also show crucial regulatory roles for postmortem energy metabolism by altering the structure and function of metabolic enzymes. Exogenous techniques like electrical stimulation and advanced chilling can improve meat quality by optimizing energy metabolism process, while emerging technologies such as ultrasound hold promise. Thi...