Ferroptosis-mediated lipid peroxidation contributes to postmortem color development in yellow-feathered broiler Pectoralis major.

Oxidative stress from lipid peroxidation can compromise meat color, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study investigated whether ferroptosis contributed to color changes in postmortem broiler Pectoralis major (PM) muscle. Results showed elevated membrane lipid reactive oxygen species (mL-ROS), along with reduced levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and glutathione, indicating a weakened antioxidant system. Transferrin receptor protein 1 (TfR1) was significantly increased, accompanied by elevated mL-ROS formation (P < 0.05). Mitochondrial ultrastructural changes, including condensation, decreased cristae, and increased membrane density, were consistent with ferroptosis-related alterations. These observations suggest the involvement of ferroptosis in postmortem PM. Exploratory correlation analysis further revealed that ferroptosis-related markers were associated with color parameters. TfR1 and mL-ROS were positively correlated with L* and b* values but negatively with a*, whereas GPX4 exhibited the opposite trends. Collectively, these findings imply ferroptosis may represent one contributory pathway to postmortem color development in broiler PM.