Description of Invention

 

Energy is necessary for all cells to maintain their integrity and function.  Normally, this process of supply and demand for these energy molecules is maintained.  However, under certain conditions (i.e. ischemia, hypoxia, stress, etc.) demand exceeds supply of these energy molecules, creating a deficient in cellular energy.  D-ribose has been shown to raise cellular energy levels in mammals undergoing stressful conditions, including vigorous anaerobic exercise, ischemic cardiovascular disease, and oxidative stressful states.  Supplemental ribose has demonstrated its ability to reduce the formation of oxidative products, such as malondialdehyde, and positively affect glutathione reductase levels and its overall activity during and following the stressful condition.  Before the development of this present invention, metabolic intervention had limited exploration.  Swine undergo excessive stress prior and during the time of slaughter.  This state of stress occurring around the slaughter time period, lowers energy molecules in the meat, which can affect the quality of the meat, most pronounced in the tenderness and taste of the harvested meat.  Ribose was provided to the swine prior to slaughter, which resulted in improving tenderness and better flavor in the processed meat as compared to the process commonly used today in the slaughter production plants.  In addition, other metabolic benefits could evolve with this supplementation of ribose, such as positively affecting warmed over flavor, as well as other meat quality attributes.