Fat Level and Freezing Temperature Affect Sensory, Shear, Cooking and Compositional Properties of Ground Beef Patties

Experiments were conducted to determine effects of two targeted fat levels (6, 20%) and two freezing temperatures (?43, ?20°C) on sensory, shear, cooking and compositional properties of beef patties. Select grade beef rounds (IMPS 161) were used as the lean source for patties with U.S. Choice plates as the fat source. The 20% fat formulation had increased beef flavor and initial tenderness (?20°C frozen patties only) scores, but had higher instrumental shear values compared to the 6% fat patties. Freezing patties (especially those of 6% fat) at ?43°C greatly improved sensory and instrumental tenderness. Faster freezing reduced fat retention of 20% fat patties during cooking. Use of Select grade beef rounds coupled with rapid freezing is suggested for producing acceptable low-fat ground beef patties.     

MODIFIED PREGELATINIZED POTATO STARCH IN LOW-FAT GROUND BEEF PATTIES

Effects of modified pregelatinized potato starch (MPPS) in 5 and 20% fat ground beef patties were evaluated. In formulas containing starch, MPPS comprised 3.0% and added water 5.0% of the raw mixture. Use of 20% rather than 5% fat in the ground beef improved sensory tenderness measured early in chewing, while lowering many Instron measurements. The 20% fat patties had more intense beef flavor. MPPS increased tenderness, but reduced juiciness and beef flavor. The addition (1% of formulation) of concentrated butter flavor to ground beef with MPPS produced beef flavor equivalent to all-beef patties. The use of MPPS increased cooking yields and moisture content following cooking and reduced fat retention of 20% patties. MPPS increased heating rate while retaining substantial moisture during cooking. Inclusion of MPPS in beef patty formulations offers improvements in tenderness and cooking yield, while reducing fat retention during cooking.     

Low Fat Level Effects on Sensory, Shear, Cooking, and Chemical Properties of Ground Beef Patties

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of targeted fat level (0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20%) on sensory, shear, cooking and chemical properties of ground beef patties. Frozen patties from all fat levels were cooked to achieve similar cooking yields. As fat levels decreased, tenderness, juiciness and flavor ratings decreased and shear force increased, with more pronounced differences at lower fat levels. Patties processed with 0% fat were rated lower in juiciness and flavor compared to all other fat levels. These studies suggested that alterations in processing and cooking would probably be necessary to achieve acceptance of extremely low-fat beef patties.     

Sodium Alginate Plus Modified Tapioca Starch Improves Properties of Low-Fat Beef Patties

Sodium alginate (A) in combination with modified tapioca starch (T) was evaluated in low-fat beef patties cooked by broiling or grilling to 68 or 74°C. Added water was used with AT formulations at 7% (AT7) or 14% (AT14) levels. In comparisons with all-beef patties (8 and 20% fat), AT provided improvements in tenderness, juiciness and cooking yields without increasing fat retention or affecting beef flavor. In sensory comparisons with 14 commercially processed, low-fat beef patties, AT7 and 14 patties received the highest ratings. Combined use of A and T would provide improved acceptability of low-fat patties over that from using single fat replacers.     

Physical and Sensory Characteristics of Low Fat Ground Beef Patties

Ground beef patties with combinations of 0 and 10% added water and 0 and 0.25% added phosphate were compared with controls (22% fat and 0% added water and phosphate). Added water increased thaw and cooking losses but improved objective texture measurements and sensory panel ratings (P < 0.05). Added water and phosphate increased the percentage of water, decreased protein and did not affect fat. Added water and/or phosphate resulted in higher (P < 0.05) juiciness, tenderness and overall palatability scores. Low fat patties with added water were similar to 22% fat patties. Water and/or phosphate also improved sensory ratings for texture and flavor of 10% fat patties to equal those for 22% fat patties.     

Use of electrical stimulation, hot processing and carrageenan for processing low-fat ground beef patties

Three studies were conducted to determine the effects of electrical stimulation, hot processing and carrageenan usage on sensory, shear force and cooking properties of low-fat (5, 10%) beef patties. The right or left sides of beef carcasses assigned to electrical stimulation (ES) received 600 V pulsating current for 120 s. Non-stimulated (NS) sides were also included for comparisons. Sides subjected to hot processing (HP) were boned 90 min post-exsanguination. Cold processing (CP) was initiated 48 h post mortem. Formulations for the manufacture of patties included the use of carrageenan [none, 0.5% iota (ι), 0.5% kappa (κ)]. Patties from NSHP beef had higher pH and cooking yields, less shrink in patty dimensions during cooking and lower shear force values than patties from NSCP controls (P < 0.05). ES improved tenderness and juiciness of CP patties, while ESHP patties exhibited higher cooking yields than NSCP patties. Tenderness was improved in two of the three studies as a result of increasing the fat content from 5 to 10%. Use of ι-carrageenan provided improvements in tenderness and juiciness over patties receiving no carrageenan or κ-carrageenan. Processors should consider HP with 1.0% added salt (improved cooking yields, patty configuration, tenderness) and the use of ι-carrageenan (improved tenderness and juiciness) for low-fat beef patties.     

Fat Level, High Temperature Cooking and Degree of Doneness Affect Sensory, Chemical and Physical Properties of Beef Patties

Ground beef patties containing either 4 or 20% fat were cooked by electric grill (G) alone or in combination with overhead broiler unit (BG) to be (visually) either medium or well-done. Patties with 20% fat had higher beef flavor intensity, juiciness and tenderness scores, lower Instron shear and compression values, and lower cooking yields than 4% fat patties. However, 4% fat patties cooked to medium, had similar sensory ratings to 20% fat patties cooked well-done. About 20% of patties cooked to medium did not reach recommended internal temperatures and holding times for food safety.     

EFFECTS OF COOKING AND SUBSEQUENT REHEATING ON THE PROPERTIES OF LOW-FAT BEEF PATTIES

Low-fat (10%) beef patties manufactured with 0.5% iota carrageenan, were subjected to one-time cooking from the raw to fully cooked state or precooking and later reheating before evaluating sensory, shear force and cooking properties. The samples were reheated in a convection oven or in a simultaneous top and bottom contact grill set either at 121 or 191C. Precooking followed by reheating produced only slight changes in sensory properties (reduced tenderness, increased juiciness and increased beef flavor). Convection oven cooking improved tenderness only for one-time cooked patties. With the double contact grilling system, the 121C surface temperature enhanced tenderness (sensory and shear force) and cooking yields of precooked-reheated patties. Low-fat beef patties formulated with iota carrageenan appear capable of being subjected to a variety of cooking approaches and temperatures without major changes in cooked patty properties.     

Effects of inner pea fiber on fat retention and cooking yield in high fat ground beef

High fat ground beef (40 and 50% fat) containing different amounts of inner pea fiber (0, 10, 12, 14, 16% wt./wt.) was cooked to internal temperatures of approximately 90°C using low power microwave energy. Raw and cooked samples were weighed and analyzed for moisture, fat, and protein content. Fat retention and cooking yield were calculated. Fat retention in high fat ground beef increased from 33% to values ranging between 85–98% when pea fiber was added. Likewise, cooking yield was substantially greater in ground beef containing pea fiber (87–94% yield) compared to the all-beef controls (52% yield). Inner pea fiber has the potential to be a useful ingredient in the development of food products required to retain maximum amounts of fat during high temperature heating.     

IDENTIFICATION OF NONMEAT INGREDIENTS FOR INCREASING FAT HOLDING CAPACITY DURING HEATING OF GROUND BEEF

Eleven starch‐, fiber‐, and protein‐based ingredients were evaluated for their fat holding capacity (FHC) in ground beef during heating. A test for FHC was developed where 20 g samples of 20% fat ground beef containing a 10% (wt/wt) addition of the selected ingredient were heated using low power microwave energy until internal temperatures were ～90C. Volumes of cooked‐out water and fat were measured. FHC was determined based on the amount of fat released during cooking. High fiber ingredients retained more water and also had the highest FHC. Ground beef mixed with inner pea fiber retained the most fat, while the all‐beef controls retained the least fat. Inner pea fiber appears to be a useful ingredient in the development of food products required to retain maximum amounts of fat during heating.     

Characteristics of Low-fat Beef Patties Formulated with Carbohydrate-Lipid Composites

ABSTRACT: Chemical, physical, and sensory characteristics of low-fat beef patties containing carbohydrate-lipid composites (CLCs) were compared with those of all-beef patties. The CLC gels contained high-amylose cornstarch, maltodextrins, and canola oil. CLC patties had higher moisture, cooking yield, and fat retention than 20%-fat control patties. CLCs improved tenderness and juiciness and decreased cohesiveness of low-fat beef patties compared with 10%-fat control patties. Despite differences in CLC gel firmness, patties made with CLC gels containing corn, potato, and tapioca maltodextrins had similar physical and sensory properties. These results suggest that CLC gels perform well as a partial fat replacer in beef patties while providing flexibility in gel firmness selection.     

Sensory Properties and Cooking Losses of Beef/Pork Hamburger Patties

Seventeen beef and pork blends were evaluated for palatability characteristics, color, appearance acceptability and cooking losses. Cooking losses were not significantly different among blends. Both raw patty color and appearance acceptability were significantly affected by fat and lean source. Increasing pork content changed raw patty color from dark red to pale grayish-pink and decreased appearance acceptability. Patties having high pork content appeared fatter although fat content of blends was not different. Increasing pork fat content improved patty tenderness. Juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptability were no significantly affected by lean or fat source. Results indicate beef/pork blends with 50% or more beef equal all-beef patties in palatability traits and cooking losses.     

Hot processing and grind size affect properties of cooked beef patties

This study was conducted to further understand the role that hot processing and grind size exert on cooked beef patty tenderness and other properties. Low-fat (10%) hot-processed (HP) and cold-processed (CP) beef were ground either through a 0.32 or 0.40 cm plate. A 20% fat CP product was also manufactured through a 0.32 cm plate. HP patties had higher pH, shorter sarcomere lengths, higher tenderness scores (including greater number of smaller particles during chewing) lower shear force values, higher flavor scores, less well-done cooked color, longer cooking times and higher cooking yields than CP patties (p<0.01). The use of a 0.32 cm rather than a 0.40 cm plate improved tenderness properties, especially for HP patties. Other properties were not greatly influenced by grind size. Sensory evaluation and scanning imagery of patties suggested that the greater tenderness of hot processed patties may be due to the presence of smaller meat particles. Highly contracted muscle, providing resistance to grinding, could be responsible for the small meat particles.     

EFFECTS OF HOT PROCESSING, PATTY FORMATION BEFORE OR AFTER FREEZING-THAWING AND SOY USAGE ON VARIOUS PROPERTIES OF LOW-FAT GROUND BEEF

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of combinations of boning temperature (hot = HP, cold = CP), time when patties were processed (immediately after grinding and before freezing = BF; after freezing and thawing of bulk ground beef = AF), and use of texturized soy concentrate (% usage = 0 or 20% substitution, rehydrated either in a ratio of 2.6:1 or 1.5:1) on sensory, Instron and cooking properties of ground beef patties. With the exception of HP -0% soy patties, both sensory and instrumental measures of tenderness revealed AF patties to be more tender than BF patties. BF patties received higher juiciness scores and cooking yields than AF patties. Soy usage reduced Instron values, juiciness scores, cooking loss, patty shrinkage during cooking and beef flavor intensity scores. These results indicate that the use of HP beef in combination with soy should not detrimentally affect ground beef as used in the school lunch program.     

Sensory Characteristics, Shear Values and Cooking Properties of Ground Beef Patties Extended with Iron- and Zinc-Fortified Soy Isolate, Concentrate or Flour

Ground beef patties made from 100% beef or beef extended with 20% rehydrated soy isolate, concentrate, or flour, with or without iron and zinc fortification, were evaluated for sensory, shear and cooking properties. With the exception of patties formulated with soy isolate, soy-added patties were rated as more tender (P <0.05) than all-beef patties. Soy isolate imparted textural characteristics to patties that were more similar to those of all-beef patties than to those of soy concentrate or soy flour extended patties. Patties made with soy flour had the highest cooking yields. Also, patties extended with soy flour had lower incidences of rancid flavor, but higher incidences of soy flavor compared with all other beef-soy formulations. Iron and zinc fortification produced a higher frequency of rancid flavor when used with soy isolate and concentrate.     

Effect of oat's soluble fibre (β-glucan) as a fat replacer on physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory properties of low-fat beef patties

This study evaluated the effect of adding oat fibre source of β-glucan (13.45%) on physical, chemical, microbiological and sensory traits of low-fat (<10%) beef patties as compared to 20% fat control patties. Significant (p<0.05) improvements in cooking yield (74.19%), and retentions of fat (79.74%) and moisture (48.41%) of low-fat patties were attributed to the water binding ability of β-glucan. Because of larger water retentions moisture contents of raw and cooked low-fat patties were higher (p<0.05) than those of the control patties. Cholesterol content was similar across formulations. Low-fat and control beef patties remained stable in microbiological quality during 60days frozen storage. Low-fat patties were found to be of lower degree of likeness in the taste but juicer than control (p<0.05). Besides appearance, tenderness and colour were not affected by the addition of oat's soluble fibre. Oat fibre can be used successfully as a fat substitute in low-fat beef patties.     

Microwave Cooking Properties of Ground Pork Patties as Affected by Various Fat Levels

ABSTRACT: Ground pork patties were processed from pork hams to achieve fat levels of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%. Each patty was cooked in a microwave oven to 75 °C from a thawed state. As fat levels increased, cooking time decreased. Total cooking loss and drip loss were highest for 25% fat patties and lowest for 5% fat patties. High-fat patties (20% and 25%) had greater reductions in dia than did 5% to 15% fat patties, but had less change in patty thickness. Shear force values decreased as fat levels increased. Visual evaluations also indicated a greater presence of air pockets in high-fat patties. In raw patties, low-fat samples were darker (had lower L * values) and were redder (had higher a * values) than patties with more fat. However, these differences were relatively smaller when the patties were cooked. As fat levels increased, flavor, tenderness, juiciness, and oiliness ratings increased. These differences were not as apparent when comparing among low-fat patties or high-fat patties. Keyword: microwave, cooking, fat, pork patty     

Effect of Low‐Dose Electron Beam Irradiation on Quality of Ground Beef Patties and Raw,Intact Carcass Muscle Pieces

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of a low‐dose (≤1 kGy), low‐penetration electron beam on the sensory qualities of (1) raw muscle pieces of beef and (2) cooked ground beef patties. Outside flat, inside round, brisket and sirloin muscle pieces were used as models to demonstrate the effect of irradiation on raw beef odor and color, as evaluated by a trained panel. Ground beef patties were also evaluated by a trained panel for tenderness, juiciness, beef flavor, and aroma at 10%, 20%, and 30% levels of fat, containing 0% (control), 10%, 20%, 50%, and 100% irradiated meat. With whole muscle pieces, the color of controls appeared more red (P < 0.05) than irradiated muscles, however, both control and treatments showed a gradual deterioration in color over 14 d aerobic storage at 4 °C. Off‐aroma intensity of both control and treatments increased with storage time, but by day 14, the treated muscles showed significantly (P < 0.05) less off‐aroma than the controls, presumably as a result of a lower microbial load. It was found that a 1 kGy absorbed dose had minimal effects on the sensory properties of intact beef muscle pieces. Irradiation did not have a significant effect (P > 0.05) on any of the sensory attributes of the patties. Low‐dose irradiation of beef trim to formulate ground beef appears to be a viable alternative processing approach that does not affect product quality.     

Enhancement of the nutritional status of beef patties by adding flaxseed flour

Flaxseed flour was used as a functional ingredient in the production of beef patties. Beef patties were produced with five different formulations; the addition of 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15% flaxseed flour. Control samples were formulated with 10% and 20% fat addition. Raw and cooked beef patties were analyzed for moisture, protein, fat, ash, pH, color parameters and fatty acid profiles. Beef patties were evaluated for cooking loss and sensory properties. Fat and ash content of raw patties increased, while moisture and protein content decreased with increased flaxseed flour. The same trend (except fat content) was also observed after cooking. The addition of flaxseed flour did not affect pH values of raw and cooked beef patties. The addition of flaxseed flour improved the cooking loss but, increased the energy value (as kcal/100 g). L and a values of raw beef patties containing flaxseed flour were close to controls with 10% fat. α-linolenic acid content of raw and cooked beef patties increased as the level of flaxseed flour increased. The PUFA/SFA ratio increased from 0.04 in the control with 10% fat to 0.62 in the raw beef patties with 15% flaxseed flour. The n-6/n-3 ratio decreased from 5.76 in the control with 10% fat to 0.36 in the raw beef patties with 15% flaxseed flour. The nutritional status of beef patties was enhanced with minimal composition and sensory changes with 3% or 6% flaxseed flour addition.