TEXTURAL PROPERTIES AND COLOR CHARACTERISTICS OF RESTRUCTURED BEEF STEAKS WITH SELECTED BINDERS AND NOMEAT ADJUNCTS

Restructured steaks were evaluated using subjective and objective texture and color analyses. Treatments included: intact muscle, restructured steaks with no additives, salt/sodium tripolyphosphate (NaCl/STP), calcium alginate, crude myosin extract (CME) with 0.1% Nad and 0.4% STP [low salt & phosphate (LSP)], CME with 1.0 NaCl and 0.4% STP [high salt & phosphate (HSP)], surimi LSP and surimi HSP. Restructured steaks made from CME (HSP) or surimi (HSP) exhibited superior (P < 0.05) sensory textural evaluation, tensile strength values, cooking loss properties, color and color stability (subjective and objective) when compared to other restructured steaks except CME (LSP) and NaCl/STP (in some parameters). Restructured steaks made with CME or surimi in combination with 1% NaCl and 0.4% STP improved or maintained textural properties as well as color and color stability of restructured steaks.     

Effects of Various Phosphates on the Palatability, Appearance and Storage Traits of Flaked and Formed Restructured Beef Steaks

Seven blends (9.1 kg raw meat) were formulated with 0.75% NaCl and 0.25% or 0.5% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), sodium hexa-metaphosphate (SHMP) or sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP). Steaks from all blends were “slightly” to “moderately” desirable in flavor and overall satisfaction scores. Steaks made with STP had higher shear force values and work required to shear values than all other restructured steaks indicating an increase in binding occurred with added STP. Restructured steaks formulated with 0.5% STP or SHMP had more desirable raw color scores than the control or steaks made with SAPP. Storage life of all phosphate added restructured steaks was past 90 days frozen storage, and steaks containing STP had thiobarbituric acid values below 1.0 at 120 days storage.     

Effect of various additives to marinating baths on some properties of cattle meat

Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles obtained from young bull carcasses (Holstein Friesian) were marinated, using solutions containing 0.5% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), 0.5% dicalciumhydrogen phosphate (CHP) and 0.5% citric acid (CA). All solutions, including a blank, contained 2% NaCl. Expressible moisture, cooking loss, marinade uptake, area gain (increase in slice size), colour coordinate values (L*, a*, b*), marinade and meat pH, and the textural properties of samples were evaluated. Marinating with STP and CHP solutions resulted lower cooking losses. Marinade uptake and area gain were lower for control steaks and steaks marinated with the CA solution. The highest lightness was found in steaks marinated with the CA solution. Steaks marinated with STP and CHP solutions were darker. The CA solution resulted in yellowness of steaks. All treatments significantly affected hardness, chewiness and resilience values of steaks. The lowest hardness value was found in steaks marinated with CA. STP and CHP treatments also improved tenderness.     

RESTRUCTURED BEEF WITH FAT VARIATIONS

Prerigor beef samples from U.S. Choice Yield Grade 3 beef forequarters were excised within 1 h postmortem and converted to restructured beef steaks containing 10, 15 or 20% fat. The blended samples, regardless of fat level, were formulated with 1.0% NaCl and 0.25% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) and stored at -20°C until evaluation at 0 and 56 days. Appearance and taste attributes were measured objectively and subjectively. Results suggested that fat content variation of restructured beef steaks with 20% fat or less had a minimal effect on color degradation and other appearance traits. These attributes were affected more by storage time than fat level. Fat content had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the objective and subjective measurements for palatability. These data suggest that low-fat steaks can be produced without anticipation of reduced palatability as fat content decreases below 20%.     

Effect of Chloride Salts and Antioxidants on Sensory and Storage Traits of Restructured Beef Steaks

The effects of antioxidants (0.01 or 0.02% of total fat), salt level (0.375 or 0.750%) and salt type (NaCl, KCl or a 65% NaCl + 35% KCl combination) in a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement on the quality of restructured beef steaks were determined. Meat blends with 0.02% antioxidant had lower thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values than those with 0.01% after 85 to 155 days of frozen storage. Steaks with no salt (pooled across antioxidant levels) had lower TBA values than steaks with any salt type after 85 days storage or either level of salt after 155 days storage. Steaks with either level of added salt resulted in higher ratings for juiciness, saltiness and overall palatability than steaks with no added salt. Juiciness, flavor desirability, saltiness and overall palatability ratings generally were higher for restructured steaks made with NaCl or NaCl + KCl compared to those made with KCl. KCl at 35% of total salt could serve as a NaCl substitute in restructured beef steaks.     

Evaluation of Brining Ingredients and Antimicrobials for Effects on Thermal Destruction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a Meat Model System

ABSTRACT: Escherichia coli O157:H7 may become internalized during brine injection of meat. This study evaluated the effect of brining ingredients on E. coli O157:H7 in a meat model system after simulated brining, storage, and cooking. Fresh knuckles (5.3 ± 2.4% fat) or beef shoulder (15.3 ± 2.2% fat) were ground individually, mixed with an 8-strain composite of rifampicin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 (7 log CFU/g) and brining solutions. Treatments included no brining, distilled water, sodium chloride (NaCl, 0.5%), sodium tripolyphosphate (STP, 0.25%), sodium pyrophosphate (SPP, 0.25%), NaCl + STP, NaCl + SPP, NaCl + STP + potassium lactate (PL, 2%), NaCl + STP + sodium diacetate (SD, 0.15%), NaCl + STP + PL + SD, NaCl + STP + lactic acid (0.3%), NaCl + STP + acetic acid (0.3%), NaCl + STP + citric acid (0.3%), NaCl + STP + EDTA (20 mM) + nisin (0.0015%) or pediocin (1000 AU/g), NaCl + STP + sodium metasilicate (0.2%), NaCl + STP + cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC; 0.5%), and NaCl + STP + hops beta acids (0.00055%). Samples (30 g) were analyzed for pH, and total microbial and rifampicin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 (inoculum) populations immediately after mixing, storage (24 h at 4 °C), and cooking to 65 °C. Fat and moisture contents and water activity were measured after storage and cooking only; cooking losses also were determined. The effect of beef type on microbial counts, pH, and water activity was negligible. No reductions in microbial counts were obtained by the brining solutions immediately or after storage, except for samples treated with CPC, which reduced (P < 0.05) pathogen counts after storage by approximately 1 log cycle. Cooking reduced pathogen counts by 1.5 to 2.5 logs, while CPC-treated samples had the lowest (P < 0.05) counts compared to any other treatment. These data may be useful in developing/improving brining recipes for control of E. coli O157:H7 in moisture-enhanced beef products.     

EFFECT OF SPLEEN IN RESTRUCTURED BEEF

Boneless beef chucks were converted to restructured beef steaks and formulated with 1% NaCl and 0.25% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP). Experimental treatments included (1) control-frozen, (2) control-5 days storage at 0°C, (3) 1% spleen pulp-frozen and (4) 1% spleen pulp-5 days storage at 0°C. Treatments 2 and 4 were evaluated only after storage for 5 days; whereas, treatments 1 and 3 were studied at 5 and 70 days. Spleen pulp enhanced (P<0.05) color development during frozen storage for a short period but offered no (P>0.05) contribution to color preservation during prolonged storage. Visual color and overall appearance were affected more by storage time and conditions than by the addition of spleen pulp. Spleen pulp had no effect (P>0.05) on product cohesiveness, texture, tenderness and flavor of frozen restructured beef steaks but improved the tenderness of unfrozen samples.     

Effects of Mechanically Separated Beef with Various Chloride Salts in Restructured Beef Steaks

The effects of various chloride salts (NaCl, MgCl₂, KCl or 65% NaCl + 35% KCl) in combination with mechanically separated beef (MSB at 0, 10 or 20%) on the quality of restructured steaks formulated from bullock chucks were determined. As level of MSB increased, objectionable connective tissue, flavor desirability and overall palatability decreased and off-flavors increased. The development of oxidative rancidity during frozen storage was not affected by MSB level and MSB had little effect on textural traits. NaCl and NaCl + KCl treated steaks received superior flavor and overall palatability ratings over steaks containing MgCl₂ or KCl. Oxidative rancidity developed faster in steaks containing NaCl than the other salt types. Partial replacement (35%) of NaCl with KCl resulted in restructured steaks with sensory properties equal to and storage life superior to steaks with NaCl alone.     

Inhibition of Oxidative Flavor Changes in Meat by α-Tocopherol in Combination with Sodium Tripolyphosphate

The effects of α‐tocopherol at 0.03%, sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) at 0.3%, alone and in combination, and STP alone at 0.5% on hexanal and sensory attributes of refrigerated cooked ground turkey or pork, with and without salt (1% NaCl), were studied. For turkey, a combination of α‐tocopherol with 0.3% STP was nearly as effective as 0.5% STP. Turkey and meaty flavor of samples from these 2 treatments did not decline; hexanal content and staleness scores remained low throughout storage. Slick mouthfeel and metallic aftertaste were less for turkey with the antioxidant combination than with 0.5% STP. In pork, STP alone at 0.3% adequately prevented oxidative flavor changes. α‐Tocopherol, when used with STP, provided no additional effect.     

SENSORY AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PRECOOKED, MICROWAVE-REHEATABLE STEAKS

Precooked, small-portion, microwave-reheatable steaks were processed from three grades (US Choice, US Select⁺, and US Select^-) of top round beef. Marinated/tenderized samples were compared to nonmarinated/nontenderized controls from each grade. Untrained consumers (n=102) rated the sensory attributes, overall acceptability, and willingness to purchase the steaks at various settings (fast food, restaurant/cafeteria, supermarket). Marination and tenderization improved the sensory attributes, overall acceptability, and consumers' willingness to purchase the steaks, regardless of the grade from which they were prepared. Marinated/tenderized steaks from the US Select grade were more acceptable than nonmarinated/nontenderized steaks from the US Choice grade. Marinated/tenderized steaks from each grade required less force and energy to cut, contained about 3% more moisture and 0.5% less fat, and had more cooking loss than their control counterparts. However, consumers rated the marinated/tenderized products as being more tender, juicy, flavorful and more acceptable overall than controls.     

RESTRUCTURED STEAKS MANUFACTURED FROM PRE-RIGOR BEEF OF VARYING PARTICLE SIZE

Raw materials were removed from U.S. Choice Yield Grade 3 beef fore-quarters 1 h postmortem. Samples were flaked with an Urschel Comitrol 3600 as three sizes; small (head opening = 3.0 mm), medium (head opening = 6.1 mm) and large (head opening = 9.9 mm). Each flake size was formulated with 1.0% NaCl and 0.25% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), converted into 25 mm thick restructured steaks and packaged. Subjective evaluations were conducted after 0 and 56 days of frozen storage for color, cohesiveness, muscle cut resemblence and overall appearance. A 7-member panel evaluated tenderness, juiciness, connective tissue amount and flavor. Objective measurements included Hunter Color values, shear force, percentage cooking loss and Thiobarbituric Acid (TBA) values. Small flake particles contributed to improved color, cohesiveness and overall appearance. Particle size had minimal effects on muscle cut resemblence, cooking loss, shear values and all sensory attributes. Color degradation and oxidative rancidity increased with storage time.     

EFFECTS OF ADJUNCTS ON RESTRUCTURED PORK

Boneless pork shoulders were excised 24h postmortem, frozen, tempered, flaked and blended with one of the four formulations: (1) 1% NaCl and .25% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP); (2) .5% NaCl, .5% KCl and .25% STP; (3) 1% NaCl, .25% STP and .125% lecithin; or (4) .5% NaCl, .5% KCl, .25% STP and .125% lecithin. The blended samples were converted to restructured chops and stored at - 18C until evaluated at 5, 14 and 56 days. Appearance and taste attributes were measured objectively and subjectively. Objective and subjective measurements of color and other visual traits revealed that storage time affected these traits more than the adjuncts; whereas, all treatments had a minimal effect on texture and juiciness. Increased frozen storage time and lecithin contributed to flavor degradation and increased TBA values. Further research is needed to determine the effect of varying amounts of lecithin on oxidative rancidity of restructured muscle foods.     

Effects of Chloride Salts on Appearance, Palatability, and Storage Traits of Flaked and Formed Beef Bullock Restructured Steaks

Restructured steaks made with 0.5 or 1.0% KCl, 0.5% MgCl₂ and 0.5% CaCl₂ were more desirable and darker red in raw color than blends formulated with 0.5 or 1.0% NaCl. Visual properties of raw steaks containing 0.5 or 1.0% chloride salt were scored higher than the control (no salt added) in 14 of 16 orthogonal contrast mean comparisons. Steaks made with 1.0% CaCl₂ or MgCl₂ were rated lower than the control in flavor desirability and overall satisfaction ratings. Control, 0.5 or 1.0% NaCl or 0.5 and 1.0% KCl steaks were not different in juiciness, tenderness, flavor desirability or overall satisfaction ratings. Steaks made with chloride salts were rancid after 70 days frozen storage. Results showed steaks made with KCl were superior to steaks formulated with CaCl₂ or MgCl₂.     

Functional, Sensory, and Microbiological Properties of Restructured Beef and Emu Steaks

Beef and emu steaks were restructured with 5% fibrinogen/0.25% thrombin (F), 0.5% algin/0.5% calcium lactate (A), or 0.5% phosphate/1.5% salt (P). P and A treatments had higher cooked binding strengths and cook yields than the F treatments (P < 0.05). The pH and cook yields of restructured emu were higher than beef (P < 0.05). Binding strength of emu was lower than beef in all binding systems (P < 0.05). F solution had an aerobic plate count (APC) of 39,000/g and increased the microbial count in restructured emu steaks from 940 to 7500/g (P < 0.05). Cooking to 60°C reduced APC to < 250/g (P < 0.05) with progressively greater bacterial kill after cooking to 66°C or 75°C.     

Physical, Chemical and Sensory Characteristics of Four Types of Beef Steaks

Four types of beef forequarter steaks, rib eye roll steaks (RER), ser-ratus ventralis solid-muscle structured steaks (SRV), salt/phosphate comminuted structured steaks (NaCl/PO⁴) and algin/calcium comminuted structured steaks (Alg/Ca) were evaluated. Meat purchasers preferred the color, lack of surface discoloration and overall appearance of intact muscle steaks (RER and SRV) over the comminuted structured steaks (NaCl/PO⁴ and Alg/Ca). Purchasers perceived the fat content in SRV steaks to be less than in RER steaks. Sensory evaluations of juiciness and overall desirability were similar for all four types. Intact muscle steaks were lower in sensory tenderness ratings and higher in flavor desirability than comminuted structured steaks. Consumer acceptability was evident for all four types offering merchandising options to beef fabricators.     

LOW-FAT, NO ADDED SALT IN RESTRUCTURED BEEF STEAKS WITH VARIOUS BINDERS

This research investigated technology for the development of a low-fat restructured beef steak devoid of added salt with texture similar to intact muscle. Low-fat (10%), low-sodium restructured beef steaks made from closely trimmed, flaked beef round muscles and tumbled with or without a binding agent were compared to boneless top loin steaks (5–6% fat). Boneless top loin steaks had greater (P < .05) shear resistance, cohesiveness, juiciness, overall desirability, percentage moisture (raw) and percentage protein (cooked) than restructured steaks. Steaks made with 3.0% modified potato starch had slightly more juiciness and moisture content (cooked) and lower expressible fluid content than all other restructured samples. Product made with 1.0% microcrystalline cellulose had lower (P < .05) juiciness scores than top loin steaks and restructured steaks made with no additives or modified potato starch. Use of 0.25% kappa-carrageenan or 1.5% surimi increased (P < .05) sensory scores for off-flavor. Steaks made with 1.5% surimi also had lower (P < .05) sensory scores for overall desirability.     

Effect of long frozen storage on the formation of triglyceride alteration compounds of pan-fried functional restructured beef steaks

The influences of pan-frying in extra virgin olive oil (EVO) and frozen storage of functional restructured beef steaks on the contents of polar material (PM) and thermal oxidation compound of the fat extracted from them were determined. Two types of functional restructured meats: 20% walnut-added (W, 13% fat) and low fat (L, 2% fat) were studied in comparison to conventional medium fat (M, 13% fat) restructured beef steaks. Differences in the PM or the thermal oxidation and hydrolytic compounds were mainly due to meat formulation with fried L samples showing the highest PM and polymer concentrations and fried W steaks the lowest. After one year of frozen storage the PM content increased in all samples but markedly in L and W steaks. Polymers decreased in L and increased in W and M steaks. Thermal oxidation compounds increased in W and M steaks while hydrolysis increased markedly in L samples. Long-term storage of all fried steaks is not recommended, whether functional of not since lipid degradation occurs. Although these alterations after one year-frozen storage are still far from their discarding limit, the consumption of just cooked functional steaks is highly recommended.     

Effect of Sodium Salts and Added Water on Physical, Chemical and Sensory Properties of Dark Turkey Meat Subjected to Long-term Frozen Storage

Patties from a Control (100% meat), Treatment I (meat, 1.1% water, 1.0% NaCl and 0.5% STP) and Treatment II (meat, 11.1% water, 1.0% NaCl and 0.5% STP) were frozen for 0 to 52 wk, broiled, and analyzed. Yield, moisture, expressible moisture, tenderness, and juiciness of both Treatments were improved compared to the Control. TBA values of Treatment II were greater than that of the Control. The force needed to penetrate top surface of patties (FI) from Control and Treatment I was similar and greater than that of patties from Treatment II. The force needed to penetrate bottom surfaces of patties (F2) differed across formulation. Storage adversely affected moisture content of Control along with F2 and TBA values of all formulations. Juiciness was negatively correlated with moisture.     

CARBON MONOXIDE EFFECTS ON COLOR AND MICROBIAL COUNTS OF VACUUM-PACKAGED FRESH BEEF STEAKS IN REFRIGERATED STORAGE

Ribeye, top round, and eye of round steaks were treated for 30 min with 100% carbon monoxide (CO), vacuum packaged, and held in refrigerated storage. Instrumental color determinations (L*, a*, and b* values) were made on uncooked ribeye and round steaks every 7 days. Aerobic plate counts (APC), psychrotrophs, and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were determined on eye of round samples after 1, 4, and 8 weeks. Initially, CO-treated steaks were more red (higher a* values) than untreated steaks. The a* values of treated steaks decreased during storage; at 6 weeks no differences existed due to CO treatment. CO-treated steaks were more yellow (higher b* values) at all storage times than untreated steaks. APC of CO-treated samples were 1 log cycle lower than control after 8 weeks in storage; LAB counts were nearly 1 log cycle lower for CO-treated samples after 8 weeks. Psychrotrophic counts were similar for control and CO-treated samples during the first 4 weeks of refrigerated storage but were nearly 2 log cycles lower for CO-treated samples after 8 weeks. These data suggest that CO-treated steaks are more red and that they have extended shelf-lives compared with untreated, vacuum-packaged steaks.     

Effect of acid decontamination of beef subprimal cuts on the microbiological and sensory characteristics of steaks

Beef strip loins were decontaminated by spraying with solutions of various food grade acids (1.0% lactic acid, 1.0% acetic acid and an acid mixture containing 1.0% lactic acid, 2.0% acetic acid, 0.25% citric acid and 0.1% ascorbic acid) followed by vacuum packaging and storing at 4 ± 1°C. Initially and at days 3 and 6 of display in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film, aerobic plate counts (APCs) of steaks fabricated from the acid treated loins that were stored for 0, 14, 28, 42, 56, 70 and 84 days were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from the APCs of steaks fabricated from control loins.