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     

Determination of the myoglobin states in ground beef using non-invasive reflectance spectrometry and multivariate regression analysis

Seventy-two samples of ground beef from M. semimembranosus of two 5 and two 1.5 year old animals were prepared. Two types of fat tissues from either beef or pork were added to the ground beef. The samples were prepared to contain predominantly deoxymyoglobin (DMb), oxymyoglobin (OMb) and metmyoglobin (MMb) states on surfaces using selected methods based on chemical treatment (for MMb) and oxygen pressure packaging to induce the two other states. Reflectance spectra were measured on ground beef after three storage times. Partial least regression analysis was used to make calibration models of the desired myoglobin states. Validated models using leave-one-sample out cross validation gave, after correction and normalization, prediction errors of about 5%. Long term storage of ground beef was unsuitable for preparing pure MMb states due to gradual reduction of the pigment to DMb, presumably by bacteria.     

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.     

Visual color and doneness indicators and the incidence of premature brown color in beef patties cooked to four end point temperatures

An interlaboratory study was undertaken to assess the frequency that cooked color of ground beef patties appeared brown at internal temperatures of 52.7 degrees C (135 degrees F), 65.6 degrees C (150 degrees F), 71.1 degrees C (160 degrees F), and 79.4 degrees C (175 degrees F). In general, as internal cooked temperature of the patties increased, the following results were observed in the patties: (i) more brown meat color, (ii) less pink or red juice color, and (iii) more cooked texture. However, brown meat color occurred prematurely at the two lower internal temperatures (57.2 degrees C/135 degrees F and 65.6 degrees C/150 degrees F) that are insufficient to eliminate foodborne pathogens without holding times. The common consumer practice of freezing bulk ground beef, followed by overnight thawing in a refrigerator, led to substantial premature brown color in patties cooked from this product. In addition, at 71.1 degrees C (160 degrees F), recognized to be the lowest temperature for cooking ground beef safely in the home, meat color, juice color, and texture appearance were not fully apparent as doneness indicators. In fact, at no temperature studied did 100% of the patties appear done when evaluated by the criteria of no red or pink in the meat, no red or pink in the juices, or by texture appearance. Patties in this study were evaluated under a set protocol for forming the products, cooking, and viewing under the same lighting conditions. Other preparation conditions are possible and may produce different results. Thus, temperature to which patties have been cooked cannot be judged by color and appearance. This study provided the evidence to support the message to consumers regarding cooking of beef patties of "use an accurate food thermometer and cook beef patties to 160 degrees F (71.1 degrees C)" in place of messages based on consumer judgment of cooked color.     

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.     

Influence of Cooking Rate, Endpoint Temperature, Post-cook Hold Time, and Myoglobin Redox State on Internal Color Development of Cooked Ground Beef Patties

ABSTRACT: Three experiments investigated cooking rate, endpoint temperature, post-cook holding time, and raw myoglobin redox-state effects on ground beef internal cooked color. In Experiment 1, patties were cooked to endpoint temperatures of 65.6°C, 71.1°C, 76.7°C, 82.2°C, or 87.8°C rapidly (1°C/s), slowly (0.2°C/s), or rapidly with 6-min post-cook holding time at 104°C. Patties cooked slowly to less than 76.7°C were more well done ( P < 0.05) in appearance than those cooked rapidly. Rapidly-cooked patties cooked to less than 82.2°C and held for 6 min after cooking had less pinkness, more myoglobin denaturation, and a more well-done appearance than did rapidly cooked patties with no holding time ( P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, increasing post-cook holding time (1, 3, 6, or 12 min) after rapid cooking to 71.1°C, 76.7°C, or 82.2°C decreased pinkness and increased myoglobin denaturation ( P < 0.05), with no benefit beyond 6 min ( P > 0.05). In Experiment 3, patties cooked rapidly to 71.1°C, 76.7°C, or 82.2°C from a predominantly raw oxymyoglobin state were less pink and had more denatured myoglobin than did those cooked from a predominantly deoxymyoglobin state ( P < 0.05). Prediction equations determined that 80% of myoglobin must be denatured to create a well-done appearance. Using a slow cooking rate, post-cook holding time, or cooking from a highly oxygenated state will increase myoglobin denaturation and foster a well-done appearance.     

FACTORS AFFECTING COLOR PROPERTIES OF BEEF PATTIES COOKED ON AN OUTDOOR GAS GRILL

Visual and instrumental color properties were obtained on beef patties cooked on an outdoor gas grill. Factors evaluated as to their influence on color were fat content, (20–28% vs 6–10%) patty handling prior to cooking (fresh, thawed either as patties or bulk ground beef), endpoint in cooking (57, 66, 71C, slit in outer edge of patty during cooking showing brown color), lighting conditions and evaluation time post-cooking. Factors resulting in less pink/red color and more brown color in cooked patties were (1) higher fat content, (2) cooking bulk frozen, thawed, then pattied product, (3) higher endpoint temperature and longer time postcooking before evaluation. Termination of cooking by observing brown color in slits in patties cooked on a gas grill was not synonymous with a safe internal temperature.     

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.     

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG CHEMICAL, COOKING AND COLOR PROPERTIES OF BEEF PATTIES COOKED TO FOUR INTERNAL TEMPERATURES

A study involving five laboratories and nationwide sampling of ground beef was undertaken to determine cooking and color properties of patties cooked to 52.7, 65.6, 71.1 and 79.4C. The design of the study included purchase location (local, distant) and patty handling prior to cooking Pesh, thawed either as patties or bulk ground beef). Purchase location was not a statistically significant influence on cooking and color properties. Patties processed from bulk thawed product had a higher amount of brown cooked color. A strong relationship existed between visual and instrumental measures of red color in cooked patties. However, correlations among other cooking properties were low. Patties with higher fat content were associated with shorter cooking times, lower cooking yields and more brown cooked color. The low relationships between raw and cooked patty properties limits the use of raw ground beef properties as predictors of food safety in cooked beef patties. This further supports the use of instant read meat thermometers in cooking beef patties to at least 71C.     

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.     

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.     

High Hydrostatic Pressure Effects on Rapid Thawing of Frozen Beef

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) during thawing of frozen beef was investigated by measuring temperature changes in frozen beef and the pressurization fluid. Frozen ground beef sample variables were pressure levels (140, 210, 280, and 350 MPa), times (5, 15, and 30 min), sample diameters (55, 65, and 80 mm), and initial temperatures (7, 11, 18 and 22°C). Properties of cooked patties were compared between beef thawed using HHP and using conventional thawing (atmospheric pressure at 3°C). Pressures of 210 to 280 MPa provided a critical processing range that effectively thawed the beef. Sample size and initial temperature did not affect thawing rate. The lowest temperature at which the beef was efficiently thawed was-24+2°C. HHP treated beef thawed much faster than controls. HHP thawing resulted in similar color and texture to controls.     

New procedure for improving precision and accuracy of instrumental color measurements of beef

The surface layers of steaks from bovine M. semimembranosus were prepared to have deoxy- (DMb), oxy- (OMb) and metmyoglobin (MMb) states using either chemicals (CHEM) or oxygen partial pressure packaging (OPP). Ninety-six different meat surface areas were measured in reflectance mode (400-1100 nm) for each preparation method. Reflectance spectra were converted to absorbance (A) and then transformed by Kubelka-Munk transformation (K/S) and/or extended multiplicative scatter correction (EMSC). Transformed spectra of prepared pure states were used to make calibration models of MMb, DMb and OMb using either selected wavelengths (SW) or partial least square (PLS) regression. Finally, the predicted myoglobin states were normalized to ensure that no state was <0 or >1 and the sum of all states equal to 1. Multivariate calibrations (i.e. PLS) outperformed the univariate calibrations (i.e. SW). The OPP method of preparing pure states was clearly best for OMb while the CHEM method was best for preparing MMb on fresh meat surfaces. Both preparation methods needed improvement concerning DMb. The CHEM(K/S) SW and the OPP EMSC(A) PLS methods predicted MMb, DMb and OMb with root-mean-square errors of cross validation (RMSECV) equal to 0.08, 0.16 and 0.18 (range 0-1) and 0.04, 0.04 and 0.04 (range 0-1), respectively. This new reflectance protocol has potential for routine meat color measurements.     

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.     

部分KCl替代NaCl对强化高温成熟工艺干腌火腿肌肉色泽形成的影响

采用强化高温成熟现代工艺(36℃强化高温成熟45 d,用盐量6.5%,以火腿质量计)制作干腌火腿,分析加工过程中火腿半膜肌盐分含量、水分含量、p H值、色差值、肌红蛋白氧化状态、血红素类色素和锌卟啉(Zn-protoporphyrin,Zn-PP)Ⅸ含量,研究火腿色泽的形成及KCl替代Na Cl对火腿加工过程中色泽变化的影响。结果表明:盐量30%KCl替代Na Cl对干腌火腿产品理化特性、色差值及色素状态和含量没有显著影响(P0.05);干腌火腿的独特色泽是由肌红蛋白的氧化状态、红色色素的含量及肌肉组织的状态共同形成的,火腿加工过程中氧合肌红蛋白(oxymyoglobin,OMb)和高铁肌红蛋白(metmyoglobin,MMb)相对含量分别上升约22.07%和25.21%,脱氧肌红蛋白(deoxymyolglobin,DMb)相对含量下降约47.27%,DMb与亮度L*值呈极显著正相关(P0.01),OMb、MMb与L*值呈极显著负相关(P0.01),并受OMb与MMb相对含量比值极显著影响(P0.01)。在较低范围内(0%~27.49%),MMb相对含量越高红绿度a*值越大,并且MMb的影响力大于OMb。血红素类色素和Zn-PPⅨ含量在火腿加工过程中都显著增加,约394%和5 296%,并与a*值和色饱和度C值呈极显著正相关关系(P0.01)。     

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.     

Residual triose phosphate isomerase activity and color measurements to determine adequate cooking of ground beef patties

The objectives were to (i) compare the use of triose phosphate isomerase (TPI) activity and internal color scores for determination of cooking adequacy of beef patties and (ii) determine the effect of frozen storage and fat content on residual TPI activity in ground beef. Ground beef patties (24.4% fat) were cooked to five temperatures ranging from 60.0 to 82.2 degrees C. TPI activity decreased as beef patty cooking temperature was increased from 60.0 to 71.1 degrees C; however, no difference (P > 0.05) in activity (6.3 U/kg meat) was observed in patties cooked to 71.1 degrees C and above. Degree of doneness color scores, a* values and b* values, of ground beef patties decreased as internal temperature was increased from 60.0 to 71.1 degrees C; however, temperature had no effect on L* values. TPI activity in raw ground beef after five freeze-thaw cycles did not differ from the control. Three freeze-thaw cycles of raw ground beef resulted in a 57.2% decrease in TPI activity after cooking. TPI activity of cooked beef increased during 2 months of frozen storage, but TPI activity in ground beef stored for 3 months or longer did not differ from the unfrozen control. While past research has shown color to be a poor indicator of adequate thermal processing, our results suggest that undercooked ground beef patties could be distinguished from those that had been adequately cooked following U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines using residual TPI activity as a marker.     

Chitosan inhibits premature browning in ground beef

Our objective was to evaluate the effect of chitosan on premature browning in refrigerated ground beef patties stored in different packaging systems. Ground beef patties (15% fat) with chitosan (1% w/w) or without chitosan (control) were individually packaged either in vacuum (VP), aerobic packaging (AP), carbon monoxide modified atmosphere packaging (LO-OX; 0.4% CO+19.6% CO(2)+80% N(2)), or high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (HI-OX; 80% O(2)+20% CO(2)), and stored for 0, 1, or 3 days at 1°C. At the conclusion of storage, raw surface redness was evaluated, patties were cooked to internal end-point temperatures of either 66°C or 71°C, and internal cooked color was measured. The incorporation of chitosan increased (P<0.05) the interior redness of patties stored in AP, VP, and LO-OX, but not in HI-OX. The results of the present study suggest that the incorporation of 1% chitosan minimizes premature browning in ground beef patties stored under AP, VP, and LO-OX.     

Endpoint Temperature, Internal Cooked Color, and Expressible Juice Color Relationships in Ground Beef Patties

Ground beef patties from A- and E-maturity carcasses and imported trimmings were cooked to 55 to 77°C. Internal patty color became less red as endpoint temperature increased. However, some patties cooked to lower temperatures turned brown prematurely. Visual evaluation of internal patty color was not an accurate indicator of patty doneness. Raw material source had little effect on internal patty color. Expressible juices from imported trimmings were less red than those from A-and E-maturity carcasses. Expressible juice became less red and more yellow with increasing endpoint temperature; however, expressible juice never “ran clear.” A more appropriate guideline would be “cook until juices lack redness.”     

Thawing Prior to Cooking Affects Sensory, Shear Force, and Cooking Properties of Beef Patties

Patties from 6 commercial formulations were cooked to 71°C from either the frozen state or after thawing for 24 to 27 h at 4 °C to eliminate the pink/red color exhibited when cooked to 71 °C from the frozen state. Thawed patties had shorter cooking times, higher cooking yields, and lower shear force peak load and peak energy values. Patties cooked from the thawed state increased in thickness during cooking, while patties cooked from the frozen state decreased in thickness during cooking. Thawing prior to cooking increased sensory evaluation scores except for patties made with carrageenan. Thawing not only eliminated the problem of pink/red color after cooking but also improved sensory, shear force, and cooking properties of beef patties.