Exudative product continues to be a major concern in the pork industry. In order to minimize the incidence of soft, exudative pork, the mechanism underlying the development of this condition must be determined. This project on recently discovered relationships between degradation of structural components of the muscle cell and drip loss. This project is unique because many of the proteins discussed in this application have not been examined in regard to this relationship. Understanding this relationship will provide valuable information regarding direction for research to develop future technologies that will improve pork quality.