Abstract: Pale, soft, exudative-like (PSE-like) poultry meat continues to a major quality defect that adversely affects the poultry industry worldwide, resulting in a great economic loss. This review describes the history of understanding PSE-like poultry meat and reviews recent research focused on the typical characteristics of PSE-like poultry meat (color, pH, texture and water holding capacity) and the criteria for its identification. The deterioration mechanism of functional properties of PSE-like poultry meat protein such as solubility and gel properties is discussed as well as the future direction in the development of strategies to improve functional properties of PSE-like poultry meat protein. The review is expected to provide a theoretical reference and technical support for improving functional properties of PSE-like poultry meat protein in the poultry industry.

Key words: PSE-like poultry meat, quality, identification criteria, protein solubility