α-Tocopherol, β-Carotene and Ascorbic Acid as Antioxidants in Stored Poultry Muscle

Broilers were fed α-tocopherol or β-carotene for 3 wk or L-ascorbic acid for 24 hr prior to slaughter. α-Tocopherol maintained the redness of unheated meat stored for 8 wk (—20°C). Values for thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in ground, stored meat showed that L-ascorbic acid produced results similar to the control while a-tocopherol produced results lower than the control. Panelists rated meat with added α-tocopherol as different from the control for smell and flavor. β-Carotene was a pro-oxidant compared to the control and other additives. Meat from broilers fed β-carotene had lower α-tocopherol content than the control. Vitamin A in livers of birds fed β-carotene was 64% higher than that of the control.