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 A KAPPA CARRAGEENAN/LOCUST BEAN GUM MIXTURE ON BIND AND COOKING LOSS IN HIGH MANNURONATE ALGINATE RESTRUCTURED BEEF

Raw and cooked bind properties, cooking loss and pH were evaluated when adding three levels (0%, 0.25%, 0.50%) of a kappa carrageenan and locust bean gum mixture (C/LBG) to finely and coarsely ground high mannuronate alginate restructured beef. Treatments included variable levels of the following dry additives: Alginate (0.50%-1.00%), calcium carbonate (0.10%-0.20%) and glucono-delta-lactone (GDL, 0%-0.80%). Raw breaking strength of finely ground formulations was increased by elevated alginate levels (P<0.05), but was not affected by C/LBG addition (P>0.05). The effect of alginate and C/LBG on cooked bind properties depended on whether finely or coarsely ground meat was used. Sensory evaluations of coarsely ground treatments suggest that sufficient raw and cooked bind was achieved using 0.50% alginate, 0.10% calcium carbonate and 0.60% GDL. Addition of 0.50% C/LBG and/or 0.75% alginate to coarsely ground formulations further reduced cooking loss (P<0.05) by relatively 13% and 17%, respectively. No interaction between C/LBG and alginate was found (P>0.05).     

EFFECT OF COLD-SET BINDERS: ALGINATES AND MICROBIAL TRANSGLUTAMINASE ON THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF RESTRUCTURED SCALLOPS

Restructured scallops (Argopecten gibbys) were prepared with two cold‐set binders: 1% concentrations of alginate and microbial transglutaminase (MTG), with setting times of 2, 6, 9, 12, 18 and 24 h at 5C. Apparent modulus of elasticity, 5% secant modulus, 10% secant modulus and 20% secant modulus were used to evaluate the effect of setting times on the binding strength of restructured scallops. The binding strength as measured by the 5, 10 and 20% secant modulus was not significantly different (P > 0.05) in MTGase‐restructured scallops, but significantly different in alginate‐restructured scallops at 5 and 10% strain. Apparent modulus of elasticity showed significant differences in the binding strengths (P < 0.05) of restructured scallops prepared from both binders. The alginate gel restructured scallops achieved a binding strength of (158.7 kPa) in a 2‐h setting, while MTG‐restructured scallops reached a binding strength of (336.0 kPa) at a 24 h setting.     

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.     

TEXTURAL PROPERTIES OF RESTRUCTURED BEEF PRODUCTS WITH FIVE BINDERS AT FOUR ISOTHERMAL TEMPERATURES1

Texture profile analysis (TPA) and shear force of restructured beef products with one of five binders (isolated soy protein, sodium caseinate, waxy modified corn starch, carrageenan, and oat flour) were analyzed at 35, 45, 55 and 65 C. Hardness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness were significantly affected (p<0.05) by binders, temperatures and their interactions. Hardness and gumminess showed no significant (p<0.05) differences among binders and temperatures below 45C, but each increased between 45 – 65C. Isolated soy protein gave the highest hardness and gumminess values; oat flour, the lowest at 55 and 65C. Except for oat flour, cohesiveness, springiness and chewiness decreased from the raw state until 45C, and then increased. Oat flour gave the highest values for cohesiveness, springiness and chewiness < 45C; the lowest at 55 and 65C. Oat flour gave the lowest shear force (N) values at 55 and 65C. Conclusions were reached that the influence of these binders on the textural parameters of restructured beef products was temperature-dependent.     

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.     

RESTRUCTURED BEEF AND TURKEY STEAKS

Raw Materials from U.S. Choice beef chucks boned 24 h postmortem and frozen boneless turkey thighs stored approximately 120 h were flaked and incorporated in four restructured formulations with each containing 1.0% NaCl and 0.25% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP). Formulations included beef (B), beef plus 0.5% sugar (BS), 50% turkey (BT) and 50% beef and 50% turkey plus 0.5% sugar (BTS). At 0, 21 and 84 day, subjective evaluations were conducted for discoloration, cohesiveness, muscle cut resemblance and overall appearance. Objective measurements included Hunter Color and TBA values. Overall appearance and discoloration (measured visually and objectively) were affected more by storage time than by raw materials and flavor adjuncts. The effect of raw materials and sugar on the sensory attributes was minimal except that the formulations containing turkey had higher TBA values.     

ACCELERATED PROCESSED RESTRUCTURED BEEF STEAKS

Muscles from ungraded (no roll) beef arm chucks of A maturity steer carcasses were removed at 1 and 24 h postmortem. High connective tissue and fatty portions were reduced to 3.0 mm particle size and other muscles were comminuted to 9.9 mm. These materials were formulated with 1.0% NaCl and 0.25% sodium tripolyphosphate, converted into 25 mm thick restructured steaks and packaged. Subjective evaluations were conducted after 3 and 7 days of storage for appearance and taste attributes by seven trained panelists. Objective measurements were taken for color and tenderness traits, collagen solubility and oxidative rancidity. Postrigor steaks experienced less (P < 0.05) oxidative rancidity development with superior tenderness ratings after 7 days of storage. Rigor state of raw materials had no effect (P > 0.05) on microbial growth, peak break force, color, overall appearance, flavor, and collagen solubility of samples with the same storage periods. Oxidative rancidity of prerigor samples increased (P < 0.05) with additional storage time.     

OPTIMIZATION OF ALGIN/CALCIUM BINDER IN RESTRUCTURED BEEF

Optimal use of ingredients can affect both the functionality and economics of meat products. The effects of 0–0.8% sodium alginate (algin), 0–0.15% calcium carbonate, 0–1.2% encapsulated lactic acid, 0–0.18% dry lactic acid, 0–0.12% calcium lactate and 0–0.3% palm oil on raw and cooked bind, discoloration, flavor, mouthfeel, aroma, cook yield and pH of restructured beef were studied. A formulation of 0.4% algin, 0.075% calcium carbonate and 0.6% lactate was optimal based on product characteristics and quantity of ingredients added. Inferior products resulted from the use of individual components of commercial lactate or the exclusion of calcium carbonate from the formulation.     

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%.     

INSTITUTIONAL COOKERY OF RESTRUCTURED BEEF STEAKS

Restructured beef steaks were cooked under four institutional cooking methodologies: oven roasting, grill frying, deep fat frying and broiling. The samples were evaluated for fat and moisture contents, cooking loss and texture. Sensory panels evaluated the steaks for texture desirability, flavor desirability, appearance and overall palat-ability. Evaluations were repeated using breaded, restructured beef steaks cooked by the four institutional methods, with grilled unbreaded steaks included for comparison. Deep fat fried, breaded and unbreaded steaks were significantly lower in moisture and higher in fat than those cooked by any other methodology. No significant differences in juiciness, flavor desirability or overall palatability were found between the unbreaded broiled, oven roasted or grilled samples. Broiled and grilled steaks were preferred for texture in the unbreaded and breaded samples. The unbreaded, deep fat fried samples received the lowest scores for all sensory attributes. Breading significantly improved the juiciness, texture and overall palatability of the deep fat fried steaks. For both breaded and unbreaded samples, grill frying was the preferred method of preparation.     

EFFECTS OF SALT ON RESTRUCTURED BEEF

Beef muscles were reduced in size and blended with one of four mixtures (1) 1% food grade NaCl + 0.25% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) (1F), (2) 1% laboratory grade NaCl + 0.25% STP (1L), (3) 2% food grade NaCl + 0.25% STP (2F) or (4) 2% laboratory grade NaCl + 0.25% STP (2L). The samples were converted to restructured beef steaks and evaluated at 0, 7, 14, and 56 days. Color degradation of 2F and 2L steaks was greater (P<0.05) than for 1F and 1L samples. Storage time and salt concentration were more critical than grade of salt in the reduction of color and flavor degradation.     

SENSORY AND OBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF A RESTRUCTURED BEEF PRODUCT

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of connective tissue, flake size and NaCl level on the texture of restructured beef steakettes; to examine the effect of these factors on the acceptability of restructured steakettes; and to develop sensory and instrumental texture profiles of the product. Restructured beef steakettes were manufactured with two levels of connective tissue (high, low), three flake sizes (3 mm, 6 mm, 13 mm) and three NaCl levels (0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%). The textural attributes of these products were measured by a trained sensory panel and by objective measures of compression texture profile analysis, Warner-Bratzler shear and three tensile tests. Most sensory texture attributes could be predicted accurately using instrumental methods. Reduction of the sensory attributes by Principal Components Analysis revealed two underlying dimensions of connective tissue and bind strength. A consumer panel rated steakettes manufactured with 6 mm flakes and 0. 75% NaCl at either connective tissue level to be the most acceptable of the 18 products manufactured for this study.     

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 LIQUID SMOKE ON LIPID OXIDATION IN A BEEF MODEL SYSTEM AND RESTRUCTURED ROASTS

Commercially available liquid smokes were added to a meat model system and to a restructured beef product to assess their ability to suppress lipid oxidation. Aqueous hickory smoke was the most effective smoke in suppressing oxidation as reflected in 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of microsomal lipids. Phenol was not antioxidative in the model system. Addition of liquid smoke had no significant effect on "stale, cardboardy, painty" flavor or aroma of restructured beef roast slices stored at 4C. The aroma and flavor of sliced beef deteriorated over the 7-day storage regardless of liquid smoke addition. Hexanal in the control roasts increased during storage from ∼0 to >3 ppm; those containing aqueous liquid smoke contained little (< 0.5 ppm) hexanal. Smokes, but not the phenol mix, kept TBARS near day zero (0.2 mg/kg) levels through 7 days.     

ASSESSING PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF RESTRUCTURED BEEF PRODUCTS DURING CONVECTIVE HEATING

Restructured beef roasts are useful alternatives for foodservice or home meal replacement and it is important that uniformity of preparation and quality can be achieved for key markets. Two sizes of restructured beef roasts were heated to various internal temperatures (35–65C) to determine effects on selected physical properties of a _w pH, water-holding capacity (WHC), water absorption (WAC) and moisture content. The a _w was least affected (0.985–0.987), but all other properties were affected by endpoint temperature, slice position (section) and sample depth (location). Moisture content was greatly affected with outer layers having lower values. The pH increased 0.06 to 0.21 units depending on temperature and location. WHC decreased while WAC increased as endpoint temperature increased to 65C, but section and location also had an impact. Before denaturation of meat protein is complete, it appears the physical properties are highly influenced by the product temperature and therefore final quality can be modified by altering endpoint temperature.     

OXIDATIVE STABILITY AND VITAMIN ELEVELS INCREASED IN RESTRUCTURED BEEF ROASTS WITH ADDED RICE BRAN OIL1

Crude rice bran oil 0, 1%, and 2% (w/w), was added to restructured beef roasts that were stored at 4C and analyzed at 0, 7, and 14 days to determine nutritional properties and oxidative stability. The saturated fatty acid to unsaturatedfatty acid (SFA/UFA) ratio and the content of 7‐ketocholesterol decreased (p < 0.05) whereas vitamin E vitamers increased (p < 0.05) in the product with 2% rice bran oil. TBARs numbers were lower (p < 0.05) in roasts with rice bran oil after 7 days of storage. The addition of 2% rice bran oil (w/w) was effective in improving both oxidative stability and vitamin E levels.