“Chilled” pork — Part II. Consumer perception of sensory quality

The objective of this study was to compare consumer perception of the sensory quality of grilled Canadian pork destined for Japanese and domestic markets, with particular reference to export selection criteria imposed by Japanese importers and transportation conditions. Consumers from Quebec, Canada tasted local and export quality pork subjected to “chilled” (aged 43 days at − 1.7 °C) or conventional ageing (5 days at 3.1 °C). Consumers' scores (out of 10) were higher (P < 0.05) in the “chilled” than conventionally aged pork for tenderness (6.8 vs 5.7), juiciness (6.6 vs 6.0), taste liking (6.4 vs 5.9) and overall acceptability (6.7 vs 6.1). When informed that the conventionally aged, domestic quality pork was destined for the domestic market, consumer scores increased significantly (P < 0.05). No effect of information was observed on the perception of the ‘chilled’ export quality meat, perhaps a consequence of the high sensory quality observed prior to labelling.     

"Chilled" pork-Part I: Sensory and physico-chemical quality

Chilled meat exportation comprises chilling within 48h post-mortem to temperatures <0°C without freezing and holding under these conditions for several weeks. The effects of this ageing on sensory quality of pork are unknown and hence the objective of this study was to compare the sensory quality of Canadian pork as found in an export (Japan) market and locally. Regardless that the Japanese market's quality criteria were met, pork sorted on-line differed (P<0.05) from that for the domestic market only for lightness, exudate and cooking loss; no differences in intramuscular fat content were observed. Overall, a trained panel scored weaker pork and meat flavours and odours in the export than the domestic pork as a result of either the quality by selection if roasted or the ageing (-1.7°C, 43days exported chilled or 3.1°C, 5days domestic) if grilled or shabu shabu. Grilled pork was also more tender, sweeter and had stronger caramel flavour with the chilled ageing.     

“Chilled” pork—Part I: Sensory and physico-chemical quality

Chilled meat exportation comprises chilling within 48 h post-mortem to temperatures < 0 °C without freezing and holding under these conditions for several weeks. The effects of this ageing on sensory quality of pork are unknown and hence the objective of this study was to compare the sensory quality of Canadian pork as found in an export (Japan) market and locally. Regardless that the Japanese market's quality criteria were met, pork sorted on-line differed (P < 0.05) from that for the domestic market only for lightness, exudate and cooking loss; no differences in intramuscular fat content were observed. Overall, a trained panel scored weaker pork and meat flavours and odours in the export than the domestic pork as a result of either the quality by selection if roasted or the ageing (− 1.7 °C, 43 days exported chilled or 3.1 °C, 5 days domestic) if grilled or shabu shabu. Grilled pork was also more tender, sweeter and had stronger caramel flavour with the chilled ageing.     

X射线辐照对冷鲜猪肉品质和货架期的影响

为研究X射线辐照对冷鲜猪肉品质的影响。该实验用0.1~1.0 kGy梯度的辐照剂量对纯培养细菌、冷鲜猪肉进行处理,评估不同辐照剂量和贮藏时间下微生物、理化指标和感官特性的变化。结果表明：微生物菌落数随辐照剂量的增加而减少。纯培养大肠杆菌和单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌的D10值分别为0.177 kGy和0.180 kGy。0.6 kGy X射线辐照处理时,纯培养细菌菌落数显著（p<0.05）减少3.0 log值以上;人工接种细菌菌落数显著（p<0.05）减少2.0 log值以上。1.0 kGy辐照处理冷鲜猪肉,固有微生物菌落数显著（p<0.05）减少2.0 log值以上;货架期从原来的4 d延长到9 d;贮藏前期感官评分无显著（p>0.05）差异,后期感官评分下降缓慢;与对照相比TVB-N和pH值的上升速率在贮藏期内显著降低（p<0.05）;辐照后冷鲜猪肉TBA值有所增加,但在贮藏中对照组TBA值上升速率大于辐照组。综合考虑,1.0 kGy X射线辐照处理冷鲜猪肉,在保证冷鲜猪肉符合国家食品安全标准规定的同时将货架期延长了 4~5 d,为冷鲜猪肉的辐照保鲜技术提供科学依据。     

Effects of Different Chilling Methods on Hot Processed Vacuum Packaged Pork

Longissimus muscle (loin section) was removed from each side of 24 pork carcasses within 20 min postmortem. Each muscle was divided in half (N = 96 sections), vacuum packaged and allotted to one of four treatments: (1) normal chilling, (2) propylene glycol immersion, (3) crust freezing, or (4) high temperature conditioning and four storage intervals (N = 6) or 0, 7, 14 or 28 days. Rapid chilling with propylene glycol increased (P<0.05) purge. Shear force values were increased when loins were rapidly chilled (P<0.05) but few sensory differences were observed. Off-odor scores increased (P<0.05) with increasing storage time. Normal chilling resulted in lighter muscle color scores than rapidly chilled loin sections. Rapid chilling does not have a beneficial effect on palatability or shelf life of hot-processed fresh pork.     

High pressure and freezing temperature effect on quality and microbial inactivation of cured pork carpaccio

The effects of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP: 0, 400, and 600 MPa) and freezing temperature (-15° vs. -35°C) were evaluated on the quality and microbial inactivation of cured pork carpaccio. Samples treated with HHP resulted in lighter and yellower color, higher Chroma, shear force, scores for pink color, cooked and gel appearance, incidence of iridescence, lower scores for brightness and raw meat appearance and lower levels of lactic acid bacteria and psychrotrophs during shelf life compared with untreated samples (P<0.05). Treating carpaccio at -35°C resulted in a darker color and a more tender carpaccio with a higher rating for crumbliness and lower rating for fibrousness and chewiness compared with -15°C (P<0.05). While HHP is effective in microbial inactivation and shelf life extension of pork carpaccio, product quality may be decreased due to lower tenderness and poorer appearance. However, HHP in combination with low freezing temperature can be used successfully to deliver high quality pork carpaccio with extended shelf life to the ready-to-eat market.     

The influence of controlled atmosphere and vacuum packaging upon chilled pork keeping quality

A total of 48 pork loin section (1 kg) with normal inherent muscle quality were utilized to evaluate and compare the effects of a vacuum packaging system and a CO(2) controlled atmosphere packaging system on keeping quality of chilled pork stored at -1·5°C. Results indicated based upon appearance CO(2) packaged porl loin had a storage life of greated than 15 weeks and vacuum packaged pork loid had a storage life of slightly over 12 weeks. However, off-flavor development coinciding with lactic acid bacteria reaching maximum numbers presently restricts the actual storage life of pork loin stored at -1·5°C to 9 weeks in both packaging treatments. Therefore, if microbial contamination on the commercial product can be reduced significantly to prevent spoilage organisms, including lactics, from rapidly growing to maximum numbers, storage life of pork loin at -1·5°C can be extended sufficiently to accomodate all domestic and export applications using either vacuum or CO(2) packaging.     

Lipolytic and proteolytic properties of dry-cured boneless hams ripened in modified atmospheres

We studied proteolytic and lipolytic properties of dry-cured boneless ham (porcine quadriceps femoris) made with chilled (10°C, 48 h) or frozen/thawed meat (frozen at -20°C frozen for 90 days and followed by thawing at 10°C for 48 h) were determined. Dry-cured meats were stored in modified atmosphere packages (100% N(2) and a mixture of 75% N(2)+25% CO(2)) at 15°C with the intention of reducing ripening space. Results showed that dry-cured hams made with frozen/thawed raw meat had more salt, volatile fatty acids and free fatty acid content after salting and smoking. Whereas, samples prepared with chilled meats contained more nitrogenous compounds (water-soluble nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen, and free amino acids). Volatile and free fatty acid contents in all samples significantly increased with storage. Acetic acid was the predominant volatile fatty acid. To confirm lipolytic activity in dry-cured ham stored in modified atmospheres, we calculated the lipolytic coefficient. The lipolytic coefficients of all samples were positive values and significantly (P<0.05) increased with storage indicating lipolysis in samples were still active. Furthermore, nitrogenous compounds in dry-cured ham significantly (P<0.05) increased with storage indicating proteolysis in samples were not affected by modified atmosphere storage. Aerobic, anaerobic and lactic acid bacteria counts in dry-cured meats were stable to modified atmospheres storage for 20 weeks at 15°C. Flavor, texture and color score in sensory evaluation for dry-cured ham made with chilled meat were significantly higher than that made with frozen/thawed meat. All samples had high overall acceptance scores in sensory evaluation. Results in this study suggested that dry-cured boneless ham stored in modified atmospheres for 20 weeks at 15°C was another feasibility to ripen the meat without affecting lipolysis, proteolysis, microbiology and sensory quality.     

Immersion chilling of hot cut, vacuum packed pork primals

Hot-cutting and immersion chilling of pork was compared with a conventional air chilling process. The right sides of eight pig carcasses were cut into primals whilst hot, vacuum packed and chilled in sodium chloride brine at 0°C, whilst the left sides were chilled conventionally in air at 0°C and 1 m/s, before being similarly cut and vacuum packed. The primals from both treatments were then stored in air at 0°C for either 24h or 15 days post mortem. The immersion process achieved an average saving in weight loss of 1·9% after both storage periods, and took between 2·5 and 3·5 h less than the conventional process to reduce meat temperatures to 7°C. It did, however, produce significantly tougher meat after 24 h, although not after 15 days. Sensory evaluation of odour and appearance suggested a reduced shelf-life and a darker meat coloration for immersion chilled pork.     

The effects of different chilling methods on meat quality and calpain activity of pork muscle longissimus dorsi

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of conventional chilling (0 to 4 °C), rapid chilling (RC, -20 °C for 30 min, followed by 0 to 4 °C), and short-duration chilling (0 to 4 °C for 30 min, followed by 25 °C) on meat quality and calpain activity of pork muscle longissimus dorsi (LD). The muscle quality characteristics pH, color, cooking loss, pressing loss and tenderness, and calpain activities were measured 0-, 3-, 12-, and 24-h postmortem. Results show that the RC resulted in a faster temperature decline of the muscle, and prevented the meat pH and Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage L* value from declining during postmortem aging. RC also reduced meat cooking loss and pressing loss compared with the other two chilling methods. However, the chilling methods did not significantly affect meat shear force. During the first 24-h postmortem, there was not a noticeable change in the activity of m-calpain. But μ-calpain activity decreased regardless of chilling method. In the rapidly chilled carcasses, μ-calpain activity remained the same 3- and 12-h postmortem. However, in the short-duration chilled and conventionally chilled carcasses, the activity was visibly reduced. At 24-h postmortem, no clear zones on the gel were observed in all three treatments. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Conventional and RC methods are commonly used for pork in commercial practice nowadays. Compared with conventional chilling, the effect of RC on quality parameters of pork varies. In recent years, short-duration chilling (SC) is widely used in many Chinese pig slaughtering facilities. However, few researchers have studied the effect of SD on pork quality. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of different chilling methods on functionalities or quality of chilled pork meat.     

Effect of low voltage electrical stimulation of pig carcasses and ageing on sensory attributes of fresh pork

The effect of electrically stimulating pig carcasses and ageing on sensory attributes of pork was evaluated in this study. A total of 48 female pigs [Duroc×Large White/Landrace (A; n=24) and Large White/Landrace (B; n=24)] were randomly allocated immediately prior to slaughter to one of two low voltage stimulation treatments; no stimulation or 150 mA applied for 30 s at 2 min post-exsanguination. Each side of the carcass was then randomly allocated to an ageing treatment of either 2 or 7 days post-slaughter. Muscle pH of the M. longissimus lumborum was lower (P<0.001) in electrically stimulated carcasses when measured from 40 min to 8 h post-slaughter compared with non-stimulated carcasses. Percentage drip loss, muscle lightness and PSE incidence were not influenced (P>0.05) by electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation of pig carcasses and ageing pork for 7 days post-slaughter both improved (P<0.001) consumer scores for tenderness, juiciness, overall liking and quality category, however the interaction term of electrical stimulation and ageing was not significant for any of the sensory attributes. Pork from non-stimulated carcasses that was aged for 2 day post-slaughter was less tender (P<0.01) compared with pork in all other treatments. These results indicate that electrical stimulation (150 mA applied for 30 sec at 2 min post-exsanguination) was effective in improving eating quality attributes of pork, particularly when pork was aged for only 2 days post-slaughter, without detrimentally affecting colour or drip loss.     

Flavour development in pork. Influence of flavour precursor concentrations in longissimus dorsi from pigs with different raw meat qualities

Flavour development and overall eating quality of pan-fried pork chops of longissimus dorsi from eight different raw meat qualities aged for 4 and 15 days were assessed by a trained sensory panel. The raw meat qualities were obtained through combinations of strategic feeding/fasting (control vs. low glycogen concentration), slaughter live-weight (84kg vs. 110kg), and gender (female vs. castrate). The flavour development was investigated for possible correlation with the concentrations of selected individual flavour precursors present in the raw meat: monosaccharides, IMP and degradation products, fatty acids, lactate and thiamine. Differences in precursor concentrations between the raw meat qualities were observed with feeding/fasting and ageing as the main factors with the largest influence of all experimental factors. However, the concentrations of the precursors could not explain the differences in sensory perception of the pan-fried pork chops. Overall, the differences were small.     

Effect of Duroc content, sex and ageing period on meat and eating quality attributes of pork loin

This study was conducted to determine the effect of percentage Duroc content of entire male and female pigs and ageing period on meat and eating quality attributes of pork loin (M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum). A total of 84 pigs [entire males (n=42) and female (n=42)] of 0% Duroc (100% Large White), 50% Duroc (Duroc×Large White) or 100% Duroc (n=14 pigs per sex×genotype combination) were slaughtered at a liveweight of 100 kg. Steaks from the M. longissimus lumborum of female pigs were aged for either 2 or 7 days post-slaughter and evaluated using a consumer taste panel. Eating quality attributes of tenderness, flavour and overall liking of pork loin steaks from female pigs were not (P>0.05) influenced by Duroc content. Pork from 100% Duroc pigs was juicier (P=0.05) and had a higher (1.84%, P=0.05) intramuscular fat content than pork from 0 and 50% Duroc pigs (1.40 and 1.25%, respectively). Pork from entire male pigs had a lower (P<0.001) intramuscular fat content, was darker (P<0.01) in colour and recorded higher (P<0.01) Warner Bratzler shear force values compared with pork from female carcasses. Ageing pork loin steaks in vacuum bags for 7 days improved tenderness (P<0.01), flavour (P<0.05) and overall liking (P<0.05) compared with steaks aged for 2 days post-slaughter. Ageing of pork steaks for 7 days post-slaughter improved eating quality attributes far more effectively than increasing percentage Duroc content of pigs, which only influenced consumer scores for juiciness.     

Physical and sensory attributes of hot-processed and conventionally chilled hams and bellies from electrically stimulated and non-stimulated pork carcasses

Forty-eight fresh hams and bellies were obtained from 24 market weight hogs (x = 94·5 kg) of which twelve were electrically stimulated (ES) by pulsing current immediately after exsanguination. The left side of each non-stimulated (NS) carcas was fabricated after conditioning for 3h post mortem at 17°C (NS hot-processed). The left sides of ES carcasses were fabricated 1 h pm. The right sides were fabricated following a 24 h cooler chill at 2°C (conventionally chilled: CP). Hams from ESCP carcasses had higher (P < 0·05) smokehouse yields than hams from NS carcasses. Hams that were hot-processed had higher smokehouse yields than the NSCP hams. Time of fabrication (1, 3 or 24h post mortem) did not affect smokehouse yields. Conventionally chilled bellies obtained from ES carcasses showed higher (P < 0·05) residual nitrite levels than those front electrically stimulated hot-processed (ESHP) carcasses. No differences were found for residual nitrite levels in the non-electrically stimulated sides. Panelists were unable to detect any sensory differences from the bacon strips. Sensory scores of ham slices were more juicy for non-stimulated hot-processed carcasses (NSHP) than those from ESHP carcasses. Panelists found the ham slices from NSCP carcasses to be more tender (P < 0·05) than those from electrically stimulated cold-processed (ESCP) carcasses. Results from this study clearly indicated that hot-processing of pork can provide hams and bellies that are acceptable for the production of cured hams and bacon of comparable quality and yield to those currently being produced under conventional processing methods.     

茶多酚和大蒜素在冷却肉涂膜保鲜中的应用

采用茶多酚、大蒜素与天然可食性膜溶液研制成涂膜保鲜剂进行冷却肉的涂膜保鲜研究。以感官指标、pH 值、挥发性盐基氮(TVB-N)和细菌总数为考察指标,通过L9(34)正交试验筛选出最佳比例组合,提高冷却肉的保鲜度和延长冷却肉的保鲜期。结果表明：0.7% 茶多酚、0.4% 大蒜素和乙种膜溶液(3% 可溶性淀粉、0.6% 海藻酸钠、0.2% 单甘酯)组成的涂膜保鲜剂,对冷却肉的涂膜保鲜效果良好。用此涂膜保鲜剂处理冷却猪肉,在0～4℃条件下贮藏保鲜19d 以上。     

不同贮藏温度托盘包装冷鲜猪肉的品质变化

研究微生物的生长和猪肉品质以及温度的关系,以提高冷鲜肉的品质,保障肉品的安全性。采用3个温度梯度,模拟超市温度变化,对冷鲜猪肉进行感官、理化、微生物等指标的测定。冷鲜猪肉购入的第1、2、3、4、5、6、7天分别对3个温度梯度的冷鲜猪肉进行测定,分别测定肉的pH值、肉色、水分含量、嫩度和菌落总数、大肠菌群的数量等。结果表明：在1～3℃条件冷鲜猪肉的贮藏时间不超过6d;在4～6℃贮藏条件下冷鲜猪肉的贮藏时间不超过4d;在7～9℃贮藏条件下冷鲜猪肉的贮藏时间不超过2d。     

THE SHEAR FORCE OF VERY-RAPIDLY CHILLED LAMB 1: THE EFFECT OF CARCASS SPLITTING

The effect on tenderness of splitting lamb carcasses longitudinally under very-rapid chilling conditions was investigated. Whole (unsplit) and split carcasses were chilled in very-rapid chilling conditions (−20C for 3.5 h followed by chilling at 4C for 20.5 h) and conventional chilling conditions (4C for 24 h), giving a total of four treatments. Loin (M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum) shear force was measured at f and S days postmortem by Warner-Bratiler shear force measurement. By 5 days postmortem, split carcasses were not different (P>0.05) in shear force to unsplit carcasses when conventionally chilled but differences (P<0.05) were present between unsplit and split carcasses when very-rapidly chilled (57.7 N vs 41.5 N, respectively).     

3种天然香辛料液对冷却肉的保鲜效果

利用超声波辅助提取香辛料液,得到八角、白胡椒、肉桂的不同质量浓度水提取液,用以处理冷却猪通脊肉,并考查其在0～4℃贮藏条件下的保鲜效果.通过测定菌落总数、TVB-N值、汁液流失率、感官评分等指标,对冷却猪肉新鲜度进行综合评价.结果表明:八角、白胡椒、肉桂的水提取液质量浓度分别为0.2、0.05、0.05g/100mL时,对冷却猪肉具有良好的保鲜效果.在单因素试验的基础上,进行正交试验,通过感官评分和1/TVB-N值进行综合评价.结果表明:0.2g/100mL八角、0.02g/100mL白胡椒、0.1g/100mL肉桂复合保鲜液对冷却猪肉的保鲜效果较好.     

乳过氧化物酶体系在冷却猪肉保鲜中的应用研究

为了评定乳过氧化物酶体系对冷却猪肉的保鲜效果,对冷却鲜猪肉分别采用浓度为3μg/ml的乳过氧化物酶体系(LPS)、4μg/ml的LPS、40μg/ml的乳酸链球菌素(Nisin)、3μg/ml的LPS+40μg/ml的Nisin、4μg/ml的LPS+40μg/ml的Nisin等5组不同保鲜剂处理,以蒸馏水处理做对照,测试猪肉在3±0.5℃保存条件下感官指标、理化指标和细菌总数的变化。结果表明:经LPS处理的冷却猪肉在贮藏过程中的感官指标、理化指标和细菌总数的变化比对照组缓慢,差异达到极显著水平(p<0.01),LPS可有效延长冷却猪肉的保鲜期;LPS处理比Nisin处理的保鲜效果更好,差异达到显著水平(p<0.05);当LPS与Nisin复配时,可以达到更好的保鲜效果,猪肉的保鲜期可达20d以上;Nisin可以减轻LPS导致的猪肉脂肪氧化。     

Sensory and chemical analysis of cooked porcine meat patties in relation to warmed-over flavour and pre-slaughter stress

Two independent sensory profiles were carried out to evaluate warmed-over flavour (WOF) development in cooked, chill-stored and reheated pork patties. The patties were derived from the Musculus semimembranosus of animals subjected to different pre-slaughter stress treatments. All patties were stored in oxygen permeable bags at 4°C for 0, 1, 2, 3 and 5 days to facilitate WOF development. In addition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes, pH, water content, total lipids and the fatty acid compositions of phosphatidyl choline (PC), phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE) and total lipids, were measured in the cooked meat patties. A data analytical strategy involving Analysis of Variance-Partial Least Squares Regression (ANOVA-PLSR), to determine relationships between the design variables (WOF and pre-slaughter stress) and the sensory-chemical data, and PLSR to elucidate predictive links between the sensory and chemical data was utilised. WOF was found to involve the development of lipid oxidation derived nuance off-flavour and odour notes, e.g. rancid-like flavour and linseed oil-like odour, in association with a concurrent decrease in cooked pork meat-like flavour. The reduction in "meatiness", over the initial days, 0-2 of WOF development was attributed to the degradation of both, unstable sulfur-containing amino acids in meat proteins and sulfur-containing "meaty" aroma compounds. Whereas, at the later days, 3-5 of WOF development the "meaty" loss was ascribed to perceptual masking by lipid oxidation products. TBARS and conjugated dienes were found to be significant (P<0.05) predictors of the sensory terms related to the lipid oxidation aspect of WOF. Whilst the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) contents of PE, PC and the total lipids were found to decrease with WOF development, reflecting their loss in lipid oxidation reactions. The sensory variation related to pre-slaughter stress appeared to be distinct from WOF variation and was described by a sour to sweet taste continuum. However, interactions were noted that indicated increasing pre-slaughter stress resulted in a decreased sensory perception of WOF. Moreover, pH and water content were found to significantly (P<0.05) predict the sensory effects resulting from pre-slaughter stress.