Drip loss assessment by EZ and bag methods and their relationship with pH value and color in mutton

Drip loss, pH value, and color are among the important traits that determine meat quality. Contrary to pH and color, the method associated with drip loss is not yet standardized, and literature data are difficult to compare. Besides, to our knowledge, there is no research comparing drip loss methods and their relation with pH and color in mutton. This study aimed to assess drip loss measurements in mutton taken by different methods (EZ and bag – BM) and their relationship with pH values and color. Mutton samples (Musculus longissimus thoracis et lumborum) originating from 20 ewes of Istrian sheep were used to examine the effect of the method on drip loss after 24 h (EZ [Formula: see text] vs. BM [Formula: see text]) and 48 h (EZ [Formula: see text] vs. BM [Formula: see text]). Furthermore, correlations between drip loss, pH value, and color were analyzed. The statistical analysis was conducted in R programming environment by using different packages. Within the EZ method there was no significant difference ([Formula: see text]) between ventral and dorsal sample cores used for the assessment of EZ drip loss. Drip loss measured with the same method at two different points of time (24 and 48 h) differed significantly ([Formula: see text]). There was also a significant difference in drip loss determined by different methods (EZ vs. BM) at the same point of time. There were significant ([Formula: see text]) correlations between pH [Formula: see text] and all color parameters ([Formula: see text] , [Formula: see text] , [Formula: see text]). The [Formula: see text] , [Formula: see text] , and [Formula: see text] parameters were highly correlated ([Formula: see text]). The strongest correlation occurred between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] parameter ([Formula: see text]). Correlations between drip loss by EZ method and other meat quality attributes were low and not significant. The [Formula: see text] parameter correlated with BM [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) and BM [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]), while [Formula: see text] correlated only with BM [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]). The correlations between the EZ [Formula: see text] and BM [Formula: see text] as well as between the EZ [Formula: see text] and BM [Formula: see text] were both non-significant ([Formula: see text]). Drip loss cannot be predicted with sufficient accuracy by using pH and color. EZ and BM method in mutton do not provide equivalent results for measuring drip loss. Comparisons of the results obtained with different methods should be avoided or at least performed with great precaution.