Longissimus dorsi muscles from 3 goat species were assigned to high and low drip loss groups. Physio-chemical properties, sarcomere length, and proteome profiles were investigated. The high drip loss group had lower pH, higher brightness, and higher shear force values, and shorter sarcomere lengths than the low drip loss group. 22 differential proteins were identified between high and low loss groups. α-Enolase, NADH dehydrogenase, pyruvate dehydrogenase E1, HSP27, superoxide dismutase, peroxiredoxin-2, myosin, and the myosin light chain were among these proteins, which were metabolic enzymes, stress response factors, and structural proteins that affected glycolysis, oxidation, and muscle contraction. Drip loss was probably produced via proteins involved in glycolysis, oxidation, and muscle contraction.
Keywords: drip loss; goat; metabolic enzyme; stress response factor; structural protein.