Effects of Freezing Rate, Frozen Storage Temperature and Storage Time on Tenderness Values of Beef Patties

All-beef and soy-extended patties were frozen to ?18°C in either 24, 48, 72 or 96 hr and stored at ?23°, ?18° or ?7°C for 6, 9, 12, 18 or 24 months. Freezing produced considerable reductions in both sensory and instrumental measures of tenderness with the effects being greater for the slower freezing rates. Thus, just after freezing, and prior to storage, tenderness was found to be higher in patties subjected to faster freezing compared to slower rates of freezing. Storage at ?7°C reduced sensory scores for tenderness and increased stress in relation to strain during shearing. Extending patties with soy reduced the effects of freezing rate, storage temperature and storage time on tenderness.     

Effects of Electrical Stimulation, Boning Temperature, Formulation and Rate of Freezing on Sensory, Cooking, Chemical and Physical Properties of Ground Beef Patties

The effects of electrical stimulation vs nonstimulation, temperature of boning (hot vs cold), formulation (USDA Choice chucks with USDA Choice plates vs imported cow lean with USDA Choice plates) and rate of freezing (fast = -50°C vs slow = -20°C) were determined on sensory, cooking, chemical, and physical properties of ground beef patties. Sensory panel ratings for tenderness were highest in patties from formulations processed with either nonstimulated beef, hot-boned beef or Choice chucks. The substitution of imported cow lean for Choice chucks generally reduced cooking losses and changes in patty height during cooking. Fat losses during cooking were higher in patties made from electrically stimulated than nonstimulated beef, while moisture losses during cooking were greater for patties from nonstimulated than stimulated beef. Of the factors involved in this study, hot boning produced the most beneficial results in beef patties. Boneless chucks and plates from electrically stimualted Choice carcasses appear to be suitable raw materials for production of ground beef patties.     

Sensory, Shear, and Cooking Properties of Lower-Fat Beef Patties Made with Inner Pea Fiber

Lower fat (10% and 14%) ground beef patties containing inner pea fiber as dry powder or as part of a high fat mixture were compared to all‐beef patties (10%, 14%, and 18% fat). Patties processed with pea fiber had improved tenderness and cooking yields and showed less change in thickness during cooking, but required longer cooking times to reach 71 °C compared to all‐beef controls. Beef flavor intensity of pea fiber patties did not differ from 10% and 14% fat all‐beef patties. Different forms of pea fiber usage produced similar patty properties. Use of inner pea fiber in lower fat beef patties improved tenderness and cooking yield, without negative effects on juiciness and flavor.     

Low Fat Level Effects on Sensory, Shear, Cooking, and Chemical Properties of Ground Beef Patties

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of targeted fat level (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20%) on sensory, shear, cooking and chemical properties of ground beef patties. Frozen patties from all fat levels were cooked to achieve similar cooking yields. As fat levels decreased, tenderness, juiciness and flavor ratings decreased and shear force increased, with more pronounced differences at lower fat levels. Patties processed with 0% fat were rated lower in juiciness and flavor compared to all other fat levels. These studies suggested that alterations in processing and cooking would probably be necessary to achieve acceptance of extremely low-fat beef patties.     

Fat Level, High Temperature Cooking and Degree of Doneness Affect Sensory, Chemical and Physical Properties of Beef Patties

Ground beef patties containing either 4 or 20% fat were cooked by electric grill (G) alone or in combination with overhead broiler unit (BG) to be (visually) either medium or well-done. Patties with 20% fat had higher beef flavor intensity, juiciness and tenderness scores, lower Instron shear and compression values, and lower cooking yields than 4% fat patties. However, 4% fat patties cooked to medium, had similar sensory ratings to 20% fat patties cooked well-done. About 20% of patties cooked to medium did not reach recommended internal temperatures and holding times for food safety.     

Characterization of beef semimembranosus and adductor muscles from US and Mexican origin

The purpose of this study was to compare the chemical composition and sensory characteristics of two beef muscles (semimembranosus, SM and adductor, AD) from the inside round of Mexican and US origins. Inside rounds were obtained from 20 Mexican bull carcasses, representing beef of Mexican origin. Forty-vacuum packaged USDA Choice and Select inside rounds were purchased from a local trader, representing US beef. Muscles were analyzed for chemical composition, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), cooking loss percentage, instrumental color, textural profile, and consumer acceptability. Muscles imported from the US contained more intramuscular fat, had higher cooking loss percentages, lower shear force values, and higher consumer ratings for overall desirability than Mexican counterparts (P<0.05). Choice and Select beef samples had similar WBSF values (P>0.05). Consumers found differences in juiciness and tenderness ratings between the two muscles, with the SM being tougher and less juicy than the AD (P<0.05).     

EFFECTS OF HOT PROCESSING, PATTY FORMATION BEFORE OR AFTER FREEZING-THAWING AND SOY USAGE ON VARIOUS PROPERTIES OF LOW-FAT GROUND BEEF

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of combinations of boning temperature (hot = HP, cold = CP), time when patties were processed (immediately after grinding and before freezing = BF; after freezing and thawing of bulk ground beef = AF), and use of texturized soy concentrate (% usage = 0 or 20% substitution, rehydrated either in a ratio of 2.6:1 or 1.5:1) on sensory, Instron and cooking properties of ground beef patties. With the exception of HP -0% soy patties, both sensory and instrumental measures of tenderness revealed AF patties to be more tender than BF patties. BF patties received higher juiciness scores and cooking yields than AF patties. Soy usage reduced Instron values, juiciness scores, cooking loss, patty shrinkage during cooking and beef flavor intensity scores. These results indicate that the use of HP beef in combination with soy should not detrimentally affect ground beef as used in the school lunch program.     

Sodium Alginate Plus Modified Tapioca Starch Improves Properties of Low-Fat Beef Patties

Sodium alginate (A) in combination with modified tapioca starch (T) was evaluated in low-fat beef patties cooked by broiling or grilling to 68 or 74°C. Added water was used with AT formulations at 7% (AT7) or 14% (AT14) levels. In comparisons with all-beef patties (8 and 20% fat), AT provided improvements in tenderness, juiciness and cooking yields without increasing fat retention or affecting beef flavor. In sensory comparisons with 14 commercially processed, low-fat beef patties, AT7 and 14 patties received the highest ratings. Combined use of A and T would provide improved acceptability of low-fat patties over that from using single fat replacers.     

MODIFIED PREGELATINIZED POTATO STARCH IN LOW-FAT GROUND BEEF PATTIES

Effects of modified pregelatinized potato starch (MPPS) in 5 and 20% fat ground beef patties were evaluated. In formulas containing starch, MPPS comprised 3.0% and added water 5.0% of the raw mixture. Use of 20% rather than 5% fat in the ground beef improved sensory tenderness measured early in chewing, while lowering many Instron measurements. The 20% fat patties had more intense beef flavor. MPPS increased tenderness, but reduced juiciness and beef flavor. The addition (1% of formulation) of concentrated butter flavor to ground beef with MPPS produced beef flavor equivalent to all-beef patties. The use of MPPS increased cooking yields and moisture content following cooking and reduced fat retention of 20% patties. MPPS increased heating rate while retaining substantial moisture during cooking. Inclusion of MPPS in beef patty formulations offers improvements in tenderness and cooking yield, while reducing fat retention during cooking.     

Storage Stability of Low-fat Ground Beef Made with Lower Value Cuts of Beef

Five combinations of low-fat ground beef treatments were prepared with lower value raw-materials: 90% lean cow trimmings, 50/50 Choice trimmings, 95% lean Choice trimmings, defatted clods and rounds, cow knuckles, and cow chucks. They were compared to a 20% fat control for quality attributes during 24 wk frozen (?20°C) storage. Control patties had greater (P<0.05) cooking loss, shear force, and connective tissue, and lower (P<0.05) juiciness scores than low-fat treatments. All low-fat pattie treatments were rated higher (P<0.05) in flavor intensity than control patties. Low-fat patties manufactured with a majority of lean cow trimmings had a greater color (pigment) and oxidative (lipid) stability.     

EFFECTS OF COOKING AND SUBSEQUENT REHEATING ON THE PROPERTIES OF LOW-FAT BEEF PATTIES

Low-fat (10%) beef patties manufactured with 0.5% iota carrageenan, were subjected to one-time cooking from the raw to fully cooked state or precooking and later reheating before evaluating sensory, shear force and cooking properties. The samples were reheated in a convection oven or in a simultaneous top and bottom contact grill set either at 121 or 191C. Precooking followed by reheating produced only slight changes in sensory properties (reduced tenderness, increased juiciness and increased beef flavor). Convection oven cooking improved tenderness only for one-time cooked patties. With the double contact grilling system, the 121C surface temperature enhanced tenderness (sensory and shear force) and cooking yields of precooked-reheated patties. Low-fat beef patties formulated with iota carrageenan appear capable of being subjected to a variety of cooking approaches and temperatures without major changes in cooked patty properties.     

Use of electrical stimulation, hot processing and carrageenan for processing low-fat ground beef patties

Three studies were conducted to determine the effects of electrical stimulation, hot processing and carrageenan usage on sensory, shear force and cooking properties of low-fat (5, 10%) beef patties. The right or left sides of beef carcasses assigned to electrical stimulation (ES) received 600 V pulsating current for 120 s. Non-stimulated (NS) sides were also included for comparisons. Sides subjected to hot processing (HP) were boned 90 min post-exsanguination. Cold processing (CP) was initiated 48 h post mortem. Formulations for the manufacture of patties included the use of carrageenan [none, 0.5% iota (ι), 0.5% kappa (κ)]. Patties from NSHP beef had higher pH and cooking yields, less shrink in patty dimensions during cooking and lower shear force values than patties from NSCP controls (P < 0.05). ES improved tenderness and juiciness of CP patties, while ESHP patties exhibited higher cooking yields than NSCP patties. Tenderness was improved in two of the three studies as a result of increasing the fat content from 5 to 10%. Use of ι-carrageenan provided improvements in tenderness and juiciness over patties receiving no carrageenan or κ-carrageenan. Processors should consider HP with 1.0% added salt (improved cooking yields, patty configuration, tenderness) and the use of ι-carrageenan (improved tenderness and juiciness) for low-fat beef patties.     

Chemical, Physical, and Sensory Characterization of Ground Beef Containing 5 to 30 Percent Fat

Ground beef patties containing 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30% fat were evaluated raw and after cooking to either 71 or 77°C. Cooking losses were lowest for 5–20% fat patties (24.7-26.0%), intermediate for 25% fat patties (28.9%), and highest for 30% fat patties (32.1%). Low-fat patties (5 and 10%) were firmer in texture, more crumbly at end-of-chewing, less juicy and flavorful, and caused less oily coating of the mouth than 20–30% fat patties. Warner-Bratzler and Lee-Kramer shear forces decreased as fat increased. Instron texture profile analysis also indicated greater peak forces, springiness, and cohesiveness for low-fat patties. Cooking to 77 vs 71°C accentuated differences in palatability between low- and high-fat patties.     

Hot Processed Raw Materials and Fat Level Affect Physical and Sensory Characteristics of Ground Beef

Sixteen treatment combinations of ground beef were evaluated (two lean types, four fat types, and two fat levels) to determine the characteristics of ground beef produced from hot fat and prerigor lean (HL). Half of each batch was immediately made into patties and the remaining chub pack stored (2°C). Fat type had no (P>0.05) effect on appearance or sensory characteristics of patties; however, all prerigor fat treatments and HL reduced (P<0.05) cooking loss. Fat smearing was greater (P<0.05) in HL patties, but no (P>0.05) difference was detected after chub pack storing (2°C). The HL improved (P<0.05) tenderness in stored ground beef.     

EFFECT OF PROTEIN EXTENDERS ON FATTY ACIDS,CHOLESTEROL, SENSORY QUALITY AND COOKING LOSS OF BEEF PATTIES1

Ten different formulations of beef patties were processed to contain 20–50% fat from lean beef containing not more than 7% fat and beef fat consisting of not less than 90% fat and were extended with different levels of textured soy protein (TSP) at 5, 10 and 20% and single cell protein (SCP) at 2.5, 5 and 7.5%. The patties were stored at ?18°C for 6 months. Sensory quality evaluation showed that patties with 80% lean and 20% fat and patties with 40% lean, 40% fat and 20% TSP were the least acceptable, but lower levels of TSP and SCP addition were found to improve panel rating. A 17% increase in protein content and a reduction of about 13.5% in fat content was observed due to TSP and SCP incorporation. An average cooking loss in the different formulations was 33%, addition of protein extenders was found to reduce cooking loss by about 22% while fat loss averages 30.2%. A reduction of 21.1% of 18:1 and a reduction of approximately 18.7% of total FAME and 32% cholesterol were observed due to the addition of TSP and SCP.     

Effect of Steam-Assisted Hybrid Cooking on Textural Quality Characteristics,Cooking Loss,and Free Moisture Content of Beef

Semitendinosus muscles were cooked in a steam-assisted hybrid oven and also convection ovens at three different oven temperatures (180, 210, and 240°C) until three different end point temperatures [65°C (medium-rare), 72°C (medium), 80°C (medium-well)] were reached. Textural properties of cooked beef were investigated by the Warner Bratzler shear test and texture profile analysis. Cooking loss and free moisture content of muscle tissue was determined for each cooking condition. In addition, sensory analysis was carried out in order to compare with the instrumental results and correlations between instrumental texture parameters and sensory results. Steam-assisted hybrid oven cooking of beef resulted in a tougher texture, higher cooking loss, and lower free moisture content than convection cooking. High correlation coefficients (r² > 0.70) were observed between instrumental texture measurements and sensory results for all ovens, especially in terms of tenderness. The free moisture content and adhesiveness values were also correlated well with juiciness (r² > 0.70) for all oven types.     

Effect of Frozen Storage Conditions on Yields, Shear Strength and Color of Ground Beef Patties

One-quarter pound (113g) ground beef patties containing 15 or 30% fat were packaged in either polyethylene bags or vacuum-packaged and stored at -12.2°, -23.3°, or -34.4°C for 20 weeks. At 4-wk intervals, samples were thawed and analyzed. The results were compared with fresh samples. Drip loss, cooking loss and shear strength increased with increasing time in frozen storage. Package type affected drip loss and cooking loss but not shear strength. Products with higher f at contents had higher drip loss, cooking loss, shear strength, and color (L, a, and b) values.     

Effect of oat's soluble fibre (β-glucan) as a fat replacer on physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of low-fat beef patties

This study evaluated the effect of adding oat fibre source of β-glucan (13.45%) on physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory traits of low-fat (<10%) beef patties as compared to 20% fat control patties. Significant (p<0.05) improvements in cooking yield (74.19%), and retentions of fat (79.74%) and moisture (48.41%) of low-fat patties were attributed to the water binding ability of β-glucan. Because of larger water retentions moisture contents of raw and cooked low-fat patties were higher (p<0.05) than those of the control patties. Cholesterol content was similar across formulations. Low-fat and control beef patties remained stable in microbiological quality during 60days frozen storage. Low-fat patties were found to be of lower degree of likeness in the taste but juicer than control (p<0.05). Besides appearance, tenderness and colour were not affected by the addition of oat's soluble fibre. Oat fibre can be used successfully as a fat substitute in low-fat beef patties.     

Effect of Cooking on Cholesterol Content of Patties Containing Different Amounts of Beef, Textured Soy Protein and Fat

Ground beef patties were prepared to contain 0, 10, 20 or 30% rehydrated textured soy protein (TSP) and 8, 16 or 27% fat. Patties were cooked from the frozen state on a rack in a preheated oven at 177°C to an endpoint internal temperature of 75°C. The cholesterol content of raw ground beef patties decreased as the amount of TSP increased and also decreased as the fat content decreased from 27 to 16 or 8%. At initial fat levels of 8 and 16%, there were no significant differences in cholesterol retention (per-patty basis) during cooking among patties with initial TSP (rehydrated) levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30%; at an initial fat level of 27%, however, patties containing TSP (10, 20 or 30%) retained substantially higher (P < 0.05) amounts of cholesterol when cooked than did those without TSP.