Effect of erythorbate, storage and high-oxygen packaging on premature browning in ground beef

Premature browning (PMB) was investigated in ground beef patties with (0.04%, w/w) and without erythorbate. In Experiment 1, patties were stored at 4 °C for 48 h; at -18 °C for 21 days; or at -18 °C for 21 days, thawed at 4 °C for 24 h; and cooked. Bulk ground beef was stored at -18 °C for 24 days, thawed for 24 h at 4 °C, and patties prepared and cooked immediately. In Experiment 2, fresh patties were overwrapped with oxygen-permeable film or packaged in 80% O(2)/20% N(2) (MAP), and stored for 48 h at 4 °C, or at -18 °C for 21 days, and cooked. Total reducing activity and color (L*, a* and b* values) were measured immediately prior to cooking. Patties were cooked to internal temperatures of 60, 66, 71 and 77 °C and internal cooked color was measured. Total reducing activity was higher for the erythorbate treatment than controls for all storage conditions (P<0.05). a* Values of cooked patties were higher for erythorbate than control treatments under all storage and packaging conditions at 60 and 66 °C (P<0.05). The presence of erythorbate in ground beef patties appeared to maintain red color at cooked internal temperatures of 60 and 66 °C. Frozen bulk storage appeared to increase the susceptibility of ground beef to PMB when compared to fresh and frozen patties. Patties cooked directly from frozen state appeared less susceptible to PMB than frozen-thawed and bulk storage. Ground beef appeared predisposed to PMB when stored in high-oxygen MAP at 4 °C for 48 h.     

Comparison of Color and Thiobarbituric Acid Values of Cooked Hamburger Patties after Storage of Fresh Beef Chubs in Modified Atmospheres

ABSTRACT: Cooked meat color is an important quality attribute for consumers. This study compared color and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values of cooked ground beef (internal temperatures of 49 to 79 °C), after storage of raw product in atmospheres of 0.4% carbon monoxide (CO), 80% oxygen, or vacuum at 2 °C for 7 to 21 d. Premature browning, observed as a brown cooked color at internal temperatures as low as 49 °C, was found in patties made from meat stored in 80% oxygen. At all cooking temperatures, samples stored in high oxygen had less internal red color, higher myoglobin denaturation values, and were more rancid with higher TBA values than CO or vacuum-packaged ground beef. Raw ground beef held in 0.4% CO modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) remained bright red throughout the 21-d storage period. Premature browning and high TBA values in cooked patties were avoided by use of this packaging system. However, internal patty color remained somewhat red even at the highest internal cooking temperature of 79 °C. The persistent pink color observed in CO-treated patties cooked to 79°C internal temperature was likely due to development of heat-denatured CO-hemochrome, rather than the presence of undenatured CO myoglobin. The problems of PMB and high TBA values of cooked patties were also avoided by vacuum packaging. However, the development of dark purple color associated with vacuum packaging of raw beef limits the use of this packaging method for products in retail display. Keywords: beef, packaging, carbon monoxide, oxygen     

Effects of succinate on ground beef color and premature browning

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of succinate on raw and cooked ground beef color. Chubs (n=10) were divided in half and assigned to either succinate (final w/w concentration of 2.5%) or distilled water. Patties (n=14 per chub half) were assigned to initial day 0 color and each of 6 treatment combinations, created by crossing 3 packaging types (vacuum, high-oxygen/80% O(2), and PVC) with 2 storage times (days 1 and 3). After storage, patties were cooked to either 66 °C or 71 °C. Succinate increased (P<0.05) ground beef pH and metmyoglobin reducing activity but had no effect (P>0.05) on raw a* and chroma values. Moreover, succinate decreased (P<0.05) raw L* values, lipid oxidation, and premature browning for patties packaged in PVC and high-oxygen. Succinate may increase cooked patty redness via its influence on meat pH.     

Effects of lactate and modified atmospheric packaging on premature browning in cooked ground beef patties

Our objectives were to determine the effects of lactate and modified atmosphere packaging on raw surface color, lipid oxidation, and internal cooked color of ground beef patties. Eight chubs (85% lean) were divided in half and each half was either assigned to the control (no lactate) or mixed with 2.5% lactate (w/w). Following treatment, patties were prepared and packaged in either vacuum, PVC (atmospheric oxygen level), high-oxygen (80% O₂ + 20% CO₂), or 0.4% CO (30% CO₂ + 69.6% N₂) and stored for 0, 2, or 4 days at 2 °C. After storage, raw surface color and lipid oxidation were measured and patties were cooked to either 66 °C or 71 °C. Lactate improved (p < 0.05) color stability of PVC, high-oxygen, and vacuum packaged raw patties, but had no effect (p > 0.05) on the a∗ values and visual color scores of patties in 0.4% CO. Lactate decreased (p < 0.05) lipid oxidation in all packaging atmospheres. Nevertheless, high-oxygen and PVC-packaged patties had more (p < 0.05) lipid oxidation than patties in CO and vacuum. Lactate had no effect (p > 0.05) on premature browning, whereas patties packaged in high-oxygen demonstrated premature browning. Conversely, cooked patties in 0.4% CO and vacuum were more red (p < 0.05) than both high-oxygen and PVC-packaged patties. Although lactate improved raw color stability, it did not minimize premature browning in cooked ground beef patties.     

Packaging-specific influence of chitosan on color stability and lipid oxidation in refrigerated ground beef

We examined the influence of chitosan on lipid oxidation and color stability of ground beef stored in different modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems. Ground beef patties with chitosan (1%) or without chitosan (control) were packaged either in high-oxygen MAP (HIOX; 80% O₂ + 20% CO₂), carbon monoxide MAP (CO; 0.4% CO + 19.6% CO₂ + 80% N₂), vacuum (VP), or aerobic packaging (PVC) and stored at 1 °C. Chitosan increased (P < 0.05) redness of patties stored in PVC and CO, whereas it had no effect (P > 0.05) in HIOX. Chitosan patties demonstrated lower (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation than controls in all packaging. Control patties in PVC and HIOX exhibited greater (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation than those in VP and CO, whereas chitosan patties in different packaging systems were not different (P > 0.05) from each other. Our findings suggested that antioxidant effects of chitosan on ground beef are packaging-specific.     

Packaging-specific influence of chitosan on color stability and lipid oxidation in refrigerated ground beef

We examined the influence of chitosan on lipid oxidation and color stability of ground beef stored in different modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems. Ground beef patties with chitosan (1%) or without chitosan (control) were packaged either in high-oxygen MAP (HIOX; 80% O₂ + 20% CO₂), carbon monoxide MAP (CO; 0.4% CO + 19.6% CO₂ + 80% N₂), vacuum (VP), or aerobic packaging (PVC) and stored at 1 °C. Chitosan increased (P < 0.05) redness of patties stored in PVC and CO, whereas it had no effect (P > 0.05) in HIOX. Chitosan patties demonstrated lower (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation than controls in all packaging. Control patties in PVC and HIOX exhibited greater (P < 0.05) lipid oxidation than those in VP and CO, whereas chitosan patties in different packaging systems were not different (P > 0.05) from each other. Our findings suggested that antioxidant effects of chitosan on ground beef are packaging-specific.     

Effect of erythorbic acid on cooked color in ground beef

Consumers often use the color of cooked ground beef as an indicator of doneness. For safety reasons, it is recommended that the center of ground beef products be heated to 71°C. In some instances beef may appear done before reaching 71°C, a condition termed premature browning (PMB). Ground beef (15% fat), with added erythorbic acid (ERY) at 0.04 and 0.06% was formed into patties, wrapped in oxygen permeable film, and stored in the dark at 4°C. Patties were stored for either 10 h or 58 h and then cooked to internal end point temperatures of 60, 66, 71 or 77°C. Internal cooked color L(?), a(?) and b(?) values were measured. For beef patties stored 10 h, there was no effect of ERY on internal cooked color. After 58 h storage, ground beef with 0.04 and 0.06% ERY had higher a(?) values than controls at 60°C (P<0.05). Beef with 0.04% ERY cooked to an internal temperature of 66°C had higher a(?) values than 0.06% ERY and controls (P<0.05). There was no effect of ERY on color of beef patties cooked to 71 or 77°C. The presence of 0.04% ERY in ground beef patties stored 58 h appeared to maintain red color at internal temperatures of 60 and 66°C.     

Color-stabilizing effect of lactate on ground beef is packaging-dependent

Previous research on lactate-induced color stability in ground beef did not address the potential influence of packaging. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of lactate on the color stability of ground beef patties stored in different modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) systems. Ground beef patties with either 2.5% potassium lactate or no lactate were packaged in vacuum (VP), high-oxygen MAP (HIOX; 80% O₂ + 20% CO₂), carbon monoxide MAP (CO; 0.4% CO + 19.6% CO₂ + 80% N₂), or aerobic packaging (PVC) and stored for 0, 2, or 4 days at 2 °C. Lactate-treated patties were darker (P < 0.05; lower L∗ values) than control patties. Surface redness (a∗ values) was greater (P < 0.05) for lactate patties than the controls when stored in PVC, HIOX, and VP. However, lactate’s effects on a∗ values were not evident when packaged in CO (P > 0.05). The color-stabilizing effect of CO could have masked lactate’s effect on surface redness. While lactate patties in PVC and VP demonstrated lower (P < 0.05) discoloration than controls, no differences (P > 0.05) existed between controls and lactate samples in CO and HIOX. Our results indicated that the effects of lactate on ground beef color are dependent on packaging.     

The impact of packaging system and temperature abuse on the shelf life characteristics of ground beef

New ground beef packaging systems have warranted investigation of their spoilage and quality characteristics. Furthermore, analysis of ground beef spoilage in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and stored at abusive temperature is lacking. This research aimed to determine the effect of packaging systems and temperature abuse on the sensory and shelf-life characteristics of ground beef. Ground beef patties were packaged using polyvinyl chloride overwrap (OW), HI-OX MAP (80% O₂, 20% CO₂), LO-OX MAP (30% CO₂, 70% N₂), CO-MAP (0.4% CO, 30% CO₂, 69.6% N₂), or vacuum (VAC) prior to color, odor, biochemical, and microbial analyses over display. CO-MAP exhibited more desirable color and consumer acceptability throughout display. Lean discoloration and odor scores were lower for anaerobic packaging than aerobic packaging. Microbial results mirrored sensory preferences for anaerobic packaging. These results indicate anaerobic packaging extends shelf-life properties and desirable sensory attributes throughout display and temperature abuse.     

Effects of vacuum or modified atmosphere packaging in combination with irradiation for control of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground beef patties

The efficacy of controlling Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground beef patties by combining irradiation with vacuum packaging or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was investigated. Fresh ground beef patties were inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of E. coli O157:H7 at 5 log CFU/g. Single patties, packaged with vacuum or high-CO(2) MAP (99.6% CO(2) plus 0.4% CO), were irradiated at 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 kGy. The D(10)-value for this pathogen was 0.47 ± 0.02 kGy in vacuum and 0.50 ± 0.02 kGy in MAP packaging. Irradiation with 1.5 kGy reduced E. coli O157:H7 by 3.0 to 3.3 log, while 0.5 and 1.0 kGy achieved reductions of 0.7 to 1.0, and 2.0 to 2.2 log, respectively. After irradiation, the numbers of survivors of this pathogen on beef patties in refrigerated storage (4°C) did not change significantly for 6 weeks. Temperature abuse (at 25°C) resulted in growth in vacuum-packaged patties treated with 0.5 and 1.5 kGy, but no growth in MAP packages. This study demonstrated that combining irradiation with MAP was similar in effectiveness to irradiation with vacuum packaging for control of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef patties during refrigerated storage. However, high-CO(2) MAP appeared to be more effective after temperature abuse.     

Effects of Metmyoglobin Reducing Activity and Thermal Stability of NADH‐Dependent Reductase and Lactate Dehydrogenase on Premature Browning in Ground Beef

Premature browning is a condition wherein ground beef exhibits a well‐done appearance before reaching the USDA recommended internal cooked meat temperature of 71.1 °C; however, the mechanism is unclear. The objectives of this study were: (1) to determine the effects of packaging and temperature on metmyoglobin reducing activity (MRA) of cooked ground beef patties and (2) to assess the effects of temperature and pH on thermal stability of NADH‐dependent reductase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and oxymyoglobin (OxyMb) in‐vitro. Beef patties (lean: fat = 85:15) were packaged in high‐oxygen modified atmosphere (HiOX‐MAP) or vacuum (VP) and cooked to either 65 or 71 °C. Internal meat color and MRA of both raw and cooked patties were determined. Purified NADH‐dependent reductase and LDH were used to determine the effects of pH and temperature on enzyme activity. MRA of cooked patties was temperature and packaging dependent (P < 0.05). Vacuum packaged patties cooked to 71 °C had greater (P < 0.05) MRA than HiOX‐MAP counterparts. Thermal stability of OxyMb, NADH‐dependent reductase, and LDH were different and pH‐dependent. LDH was able to generate NADH at 84 °C; whereas NADH‐dependent reductase was least stable to heat. The results suggest that patties have MRA at cooking temperatures, which can influence cooked meat color.     

Color and thiobarbituric acid values of cooked top sirloin steaks packaged in modified atmospheres of 80% oxygen, or 0.4% carbon monoxide, or vacuum

Case-ready fresh beef is typically packaged in a modified-atmosphere with approximately 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide. Recently, USDA approved distribution of fresh meats in a master bag system using 0.4% carbon monoxide (CO). This study compared effects of packaging system (vacuum, 80% oxygen, 0.4% carbon monoxide), fresh meat storage time (7-21 days) and cooking temperature (49-79 °C) on extent of myoglobin denaturation, color and rancidity in cooked top sirloin steaks. Steaks packaged in 80% oxygen or CO retained desirable red color for 14 and 21 days storage, respectively. Steaks stored in 80% oxygen exhibited the greatest TBA values and myoglobin denaturation at all storage times and cooking temperatures. Steaks stored in high oxygen developed brown interior color at internal temperatures as low as 57 °C, the premature browning effect. Premature browning and rancidity associated with steaks packaged in 80% oxygen was prevented by packaging in 0.4% CO or vacuum.     

Effect of lactate-enhancement, modified atmosphere packaging, and muscle source on the internal cooked colour of beef steaks

Earlier studies on lactate-mediated colour stability in beef did not address the possible influence on cooked colour. Our objective was to examine the effect of lactate-enhancement, muscle source, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the internal cooked colour of beef steaks. Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Psoas major (PM) muscles from 16 (n = 16) beef carcasses (USDA Select) were randomly assigned to 4 enhancement treatments (non-injected control, distilled water-enhanced control, 1.25% and 2.5% lactate), and fabricated into 2.54-cm steaks. Steaks were individually packaged in either vacuum (VP), high-oxygen MAP (HIOX; 80% O₂ + 20% CO₂), or carbon monoxide MAP (CO; 0.4% CO + 19.6% CO₂ + 80% N₂), and stored for 0, 5, or 9 days at 1 °C. At the end of storage, surface and internal colour (visual and instrumental) was measured on raw steaks. Steaks were cooked to an internal temperature of 71 °C, and internal cooked colour (visual and instrumental) was evaluated. Lactate-enhancement at 2.5% level resulted in darker (P < 0.05) cooked interiors than other treatments. Interior cooked redness decreased (P < 0.05) during storage for steaks in VP and HIOX, whereas it was stable for steaks in CO. Our findings indicated that the beef industry could utilise a combination of lactate-enhancement and CO MAP to minimise premature browning in whole-muscle beef steaks.     

Display Life and Internal Cooked Color of Ground Beef from Vitamin E-Supplemented Steers

The retail display life of fresh ground meat and the internal color of patties cooked to four endpoint temperatures (55, 65, 71, and 77°C) were determined for ground beef (10% fat) from vitamin E-supplemented (500 and 2000 IU) or nonsupplemented steers. Vitamin E supplementation increased (P < 0.05) the retail dissolve life of the meat by 12 and 42 lir for 500 and 2000 IU, respectively Vitamin E did not akect (P > 0.05) internal cooked color or expressible juice color of the patties, and it did not cause premature browning or persistent redness. Increased levels of vitamin E supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) TBA values but had no effect on total reducing activity or oxidation-reduction potential.     

Evaluation of carbon monoxide treatment in modified atmosphere packaging or vacuum packaging to increase color stability of fresh beef

Our goal was to obtain > 21 days red color stability for carbon monoxide (CO)-treated beef steaks in vacuum packaging (VP). In preliminary tests, pretreatment for 24 h in a 5% CO modified atmosphere package (MAP) was needed to maintain redness after re-packaging in VP. Pressure pretreatment with 5% CO for 2 h developed redness, but was impractical for large-scale application. Color stability and microbial load were then compared after treatment of steaks in 5% CO-MAP for 24 h, then VP; 100% CO-MAP for 1 h, then VP; steaks and ground beef in 0.5% CO-MAP; and steaks and ground beef in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) wrap. Steaks remained red for 5, 6, 8 and <1-week storage at 2°C, respectively. Steaks microbial load exceeded spoilage levels (>10(6)cfu/cm(2)) at 5, 6, 7 and <2-weeks, respectively. Thus, extended color stability in VP was achieved by pretreatment with 5% CO for 24 h or 100% CO for 1 h.     

Internal Premature Browning in Cooked Ground Beef Patties from High-Oxygen Modified-Atmosphere Packaging

ABSTRACT: This study examined the effects of location within a package and display time on the incidence of premature browning in patties made from ground beef packaged in a high-oxygen modified atmosphere (80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide) or in vacuum for up to 14 d. On days 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 14 of display, patties were formed from both top and bottom portions of tissue exposed to high-oxygen. These patties contained predominantly oxymyoglobin and metmyoglobin at the time of formation and cooking. As display progressed, the percentage of oxymyoglobin decreased ( P < 0.05) and metmyoglobin increased ( P < 0.05) in the patties for both locations, whereas the percentage of deoxymyoglobin remained stable at less than 2%. Samples that were vacuum-packaged contained predominantly deoxymyoglobin. Patties from high-oxygen packages cooked to a temperature of 71.1 °C were prematurely brown ( P < 0.05) compared with vacuum-packaged samples. Patties containing predominantly deoxymyoglobin remained pinker than patties cooked directly from high-oxygen packages (lower visual color score, higher a * value; P < 0.05) on the interior after cooking. Data in this study clearly demonstrate that, regardless of time in display, nearly 100% of patties formed from high-oxygen-packaged ground beef would be prematurely brown when cooked and could pose a food safety problem if not cooked to an endpoint temperature ensuring safety.     

Effect of natural antioxidants on oxidative stability of cooked, refrigerated beef and pork

ABSTRACT:  The effect of grape seed extract (GS; 0.01% and 0.02%), oleoresin rosemary (OR; 0.02%) and water-soluble oregano extract (WS; 0.02%) on oxidative and color stability of cooked beef and pork patties stored at 4 °C for 8 d was determined. Fresh beef or pork lean and trim were ground, mixed (30% fat), and divided into 5 portions. Antioxidants mixed with salt (2%) were added. Patties were formed, cooked to an internal temperature of 71 °C, overwrapped in PVC, and stored at 4 °C. Lipid oxidation, assessed using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and sensory evaluation, instrumental and visual color, and pH were determined after 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 d. Based on TBARS values and off-odors associated with lipid oxidation such as rancidity, wet cardboard (for beef patties), and grassy (for beef and pork patties), grape seed extract resulted in the best antioxidant activity in both meat species. It did not change instrumental color measures of redness, yellowness, or color intensity, and appeared to reduce visual green discoloration in beef patties. The higher GS concentration (0.02%) exhibited more antioxidant activity than the lower concentration (0.01%). Therefore, grape seed extract at 0.02% has the potential to reduce oxidative rancidity and improve shelf life of refrigerated cooked beef and pork patties.     

An assessment of dietary supplementation with tea catechins and rosemary extract on the quality of fresh beef

The effect of supplementation of beef cattle diets with tea catechins (TC) (1000mg/animal/day) and rosemary extract (RE) (1000mg/animal/day), for 103 days preceding slaughter, on the oxidative stability of M. longissimus dorsi (LD) steaks was evaluated. Dietary supplementation with TC and RE did not increase plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), LD α-tocopherol concentrations or pH. In LD steaks stored aerobically or in modified atmosphere packs (80% O(2):20% CO(2)) (MAP) for up to 8 days at 4°C, surface redness (CIE 'a' redness value) and lipid stability (TBARS, mg MDA (malondialdehyde)/kg muscle) were not significantly improved as a result of supplementation with TC and RE. Similarly no improvement in the sensory properties and lipid stability of cooked LD slices, stored aerobically or in 30% CO(2):70% N(2) for up to 11 days at 4°C, was observed. An in vitro fermentation study demonstrated that TC and RE were not fermented to any great extent under simulated rumen conditions. Direct addition of TC (1000ppm) and RE (1000ppm) significantly (P<0.05) improved the colour and lipid stability in LD patties stored in 80% O(2):20% CO(2) for up to 8 days at 4°C, thus, demonstrating the antioxidant potential of TC and RE supplements employed in the present study.     

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF GROUND BEEF PATTIES EXHIBITING NORMAL AND PREMATURE BROWN INTERNAL COOKED COLOR

Premature browning is a condition in which ground beef looks well-done at lower than expected temperatures. To study this color pattern, chemical properties were measured on raw and cooked patties (55, 65 and 75C) that developed normal (NRM) and premature brown (PMB) color when cooked to 55C. NRM patties were visually and instrumentally redder at all temperatures (P<0.05) than PMB patties. Visual color of PMB patties at 55C and NRM patties at 75C were similar (P>0.05). Heme and nonheme iron, total pigment and pH did not differ (P>0.05) between groups. Nonheme iron increased (P<0.05) as endpoint temperature increased. Patties with NRM color had lower (P<0.05) TBA values and oxidative-reduction potentials and higher (P<0.05) total reducing activity than patties with PMB. No difference (P>0.05) occurred in precipitation of juice extracts from NRM and PMB patties during heating (40 to 75C). Premature browning was related to patty oxidation.     

Effects of reducing agents on premature browning in ground beef

This study was performed to investigate the effects of food-grade reducing agents on counteracting premature browning (PMB) and to determine the relative heat stability of different redox states of bovine myoglobin (Mb). Sodium erythorbate (SE), erythorbic acid (EA), sodium ascorbate (SA), ascorbic acid (AA) and ascorbyl palmitate (AP) were added to ground beef (15% fat) at a concentration of 2.3 mM; patties were prepared and stored at 4 °C and at −18 °C. Surface redness (a* values), lipid oxidation and total reducing activity (TRA) were measured on raw beef, and a* values recorded from cooked internal surfaces. Bovine Mb was purified from biceps femoris muscle and heat capacity was measured using differential scanning calorimetry. All reducing agents decreased lipid oxidation and increased TRA relative to controls (p < 0.05). In general, SE and SA were more effective at maintaining red color in cooked ground beef patties than other reducing agents (p < 0.05). The temperature at peak heat capacity, T_m, of metmyoglobin appeared lower than that of oxymyoglobin and deoxymyoglobin. Reducing agents can maintain Mb in the reduced state, and their addition to ground beef may be one method of preventing PMB.