In-home consumer evaluations of individual muscles from beef rounds subjected to tenderization treatments

In-home evaluations of the M. vastus lateralis, M. rectus femoris, M. semimembranosus, and M. adductor (n=266) muscles that were either blade tenderized, enhanced with a salt and phosphate solution, or served as a control (no tenderization or enhancement treatment) were conducted. Consumers (n=261) cooked these steaks and were asked to document cooking method and degree of doneness, and provide palatability ratings for each steak. Enhancing round muscles with a salt and phosphate solution improved most palatability traits compared to blade tenderized or control steaks. For M. semimembranosus and M. vastus lateralis, the enhanced steaks received higher (P<0.05) ratings for all palatability traits. Cooking method and degree of doneness had little influence on consumer palatability ratings, and where differences occurred, they were muscle specific. This may allow limited recommendations for the most appropriate cooking method and degree of doneness for specific beef round muscles.     

Consumer Assessment of Beef Tenderloin Steaks from Various USDA Quality Grades at 3 Degrees of Doneness

A consumer study was conducted to determine palatability ratings of beef tenderloin steaks from USDA Choice, USDA Select, and USDA Select with marbling scores from Slight 50 to 100 (USDA High Select) cooked to various degrees of doneness. Steaks were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 degree of doneness categories: very‐rare, medium‐rare, or well‐done. Consumers (N = 315) were screened for preference of degree of doneness and fed 4 samples of their preferred doneness (a warm‐up and one from each USDA quality grade treatment in a random order). Consumers evaluated steaks on an 8‐point verbally anchored hedonic scale for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall like as well as rated steaks as acceptable or unacceptable for all palatability traits. Quality grade had no effect (P > 0.05) on consumer ratings for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall like scores, with all traits averaging above a 7 (“like very much”) on the 8‐point scale. In addition, no differences (P > 0.05) were found in the percentage of samples rated as acceptable for all palatability traits, with more than 94% of samples rated acceptable for each trait in all quality grades evaluated. Steaks cooked to well‐done had lower (P < 0.05) juiciness scores than steaks cooked to very‐rare or medium‐rare and were rated lower for tenderness (P < 0.05) than steaks cooked to a very‐rare degree of doneness. Results indicate consumers were not able to detect differences in tenderness, juiciness, flavor, or overall like among beef tenderloin steaks from USDA Choice and Select quality grades.     

Interrelationships of breed type, USDA quality grade, cooking method, and degree of doneness on consumer evaluations of beef in Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, USA

The objective of this research was to evaluate the consumer controlled factors of cooking method and degree of doneness on top loin steaks from different USDA quality grades (Low Choice, High Select or Low Select) and breed-types (English, Continental European Cross or Brahman Cross). In addition, cities within the same region were evaluated for differences in consumer controlled factors and palatability responses. The in-home product test was conducted in Dallas and San Antonio, Texas, USA. Consumers (n=173) evaluated steaks for overall like (OSAT), tenderness (TEND), juiciness (JUIC), and flavor (FLAV) using 23-point hedonic scales. Respondents in Dallas cooked their steaks to higher degrees of doneness than did those in San Antonio. Outdoor grilling was the most frequently used method of cookery for steaks in both cities. Generally, consumers in San Antonio gave higher palatability ratings to Choice steaks and Dallas consumers gave higher ratings to Select steaks. The interactions of city×cooking method, breed-type×cooking method, and degree of doneness×cooking method were significant for all palatability attributes. In addition, the interaction of cooking method×quality grade was significant for TEND, JUIC, and FLAV. Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) force was determined on a steak from each strip loin. Steaks from Continental European Cross cattle and Low Choice carcasses had the lowest WBS values. Differences in consumer preparation of beef top loin steaks present very unique challenges for the beef industry. Consumer information programs may serve a valuable role in connecting consumer perceptions with the preparation techniques needed to consistently achieve satisfaction.     

Effects of food ingredients and oxygen exposure on premature browning in cooked beef

Premature browning (PMB) in the centre of cooked hamburgers and beef loin (M. longissimus dorsi) steaks was assessed visually and instrumentally. Rosemary extract, ascorbic acid, sodium lactate, polyphosphate or lingonberry juice were added to freshly ground beef with predominant oxymyoglobin, and hamburgers were cooked to 62 °C. In general, the tested ingredients did not reduce the extent of PMB in hamburgers, but polyphosphate tended to reduce PMB due to increased pH. Control burgers made of vacuum packaged meat with deoxymyoglobin were cooked to 62, 69 and 75 °C, and did not express PMB. Beef loins were injected with a solution of sodium lactate, polyphosphate and sodium chloride. Loin steaks were stored under 75% O₂/25% CO₂ for 5 days and also cooked to 62 °C. Injected steaks had less PMB than non-injected controls, but of a low magnitude unlikely to influence the perception of doneness. The study demonstrated that anaerobic packaging is the most efficient measure to avoid PMB in beef.     

Efficacy of performing Warner–Bratzler and slice shear force on the same beef steak following rapid cooking

The ability to perform Warner–Bratzler and slice shear force on the same beef top loin steak was investigated. Three, 2.54-cm steaks from top loins (n = 99) were allotted to either Warner–Bratzler only (WBS), slice shear force only (SSF), or Warner–Bratzler and slice shear force (WBS/SSF). Steaks were thawed at 2 °C for 48 h prior to cooking. Steaks were cooked to 71 °C using a conveyor convection oven and allowed to cool at room temperature for a minimum of 4 h. Steaks allotted to WBS used six 1.27-cm cores and steaks allotted for WBS/SSF used four cores. Steaks allotted to SSF and WBS/SSF used one, 1 cm × 5 cm slice. Correlations among WBS and SSF for all steaks ranged from 0.49 to 0.69 (P < 0.0001). When correlations were generated for steak location within the top loin, the relationships among WBS and SSF performed in the same steak ranged from 0.53 to 0.70 (P < 0.05). These results indicate that it may be feasible to conduct WBS and SSF on the same top loin steak, and that the steak taken 2.54 cm from the 13th rib is the optimal location for this combination of procedures.     

Tenderness profiles of ten muscles from F1 Bos indicus x Bos taurus and Bos taurus cattle cooked as steaks and roasts

Twenty Bos taurus (Hereford x Angus crosses) and 20 F1 Bos indicus x Bos taurus heifers of the same age, management and feeding regimen, were harvested and evaluated at 2 days postmortem for carcass and meat traits. Ten muscles were obtained from the right sides and aged until 10 days postmortem. Bos indicus carcasses were lighter, had less fat cover, smaller ribeyes, and less intramuscular lipid (all p ≤ 0.05). Bos taurus longissimus lumborum, gluteus medius, triceps brachii, and semimembranosus muscles cooked as steaks and roasts had a lower Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) (p ≤ 0.05) than those from Bos indicus. Bos taurus deep pectoral and semitendinosus muscles cooked as roasts had a lower WBSF (p < 0.05) than Bos indicus. Infraspinatus, longissimus lumborum, and semitendinosus muscles were more tender (p < 0.05) as roasts than steaks, whereas the opposite was true for the deep pectoral and semimembranosus muscles. Seven of the 10 muscles had lower WBSF (p ≤ 0.05) for Bos taurus when cooked as steaks, roasts or both.     

Reducing Postmortem Aging Time of Beef with Electrical Stimulation

Two studies (Study 1 = 23 forage-fed steers; Study 2 = 20 grain-fed steers and heifers) were conducted to determine relationships of electrical stimulation (ES) and/or postmortem aging (PA) to tenderness of beef. For Study 1, steaks from ES sides had lower (P < 0.05) Warner-Bratzler shear (WBS) values than steaks from not-ES sides for each PA period. In addition, the percentage reduction in WBS values was greater for the steaks from the ES-Day 2 group (–29.5%) than for steaks from even the longest PA period (14 days) from the not-ES group (–25.8%). For Study 2, during the fist three PA periods (1, 2 and 5 days), ES resulted in more desirable (P < 0.05) flavor ratings (Day l), higher (P < 0.05) tenderness ratings and lower (P < 0.05) WBS values (Day 1, 2, 5) and more desirable (P < 0.05) overall palatability ratings (Day 1, 2). During the last three PA periods (8, 11 and 14 days), ES resulted in higher (P < 0.05) tenderness ratings (Day 8), lower (P < 0.05) juiciness ratings (Day 11, 14) and lower (P < 0.05) WBS values (Day 8). Based on these results, ES had the greatest impact on beef palatability if the period of aging was 8 days or less; with additional aging time, ES effects on palatability were negated. When each treatment (ES, not-ES) was divided into two groups based on median tenderness ratings for the not-ES group, ES had the greatest impact on those carcasses in the “tough” group while ES had little impact on those carcasses in the “tender” group. ES will accelerate the postmortem aging of beef but the aging time reduction and extent of ultimate tenderization appears to be affected by the inherent tenderness of the beef.     

Effects of blade tenderization,aging method and aging time on meat quality characteristics of Longissimus lumborum steaks from cull Holstein cows

The effects of blade tenderization (BT), two aging methods (dry (D) and wet (W)), and aging time (2 and 23 d) on tenderness, color, and sensory properties of Longissimus lumborum muscles from 12 cull Holstein cows were evaluated. Dry-aged loins had higher combined trim and aging losses than control (C) for both D- and W-aging, mostly because of excess trim losses. BT steaks had WBSF of 33.13 N while C steaks had WBSF of 41.46 N (P = 0.09). Aging decreased WBSF. Blade tenderized steaks had higher cook loss than C steaks. Aging, W-aging, and BT × W-aging improved myofibrillar (sensory) tenderness scores. Aging and/or BT improves sensory panel tenderness cull cow Longissimus lumborum steaks. Aging and blade tenderization combined can increase tenderness and value of Longissimus steaks from cull Holstein cows.     

Color stability and tenderness variations within the gluteus medius from beef top sirloin butts

Beef top sirloin butts (n = 48) from USDA quality grade (QG; upper 2/3 US Choice vs. US Select) and yield grade categories (YG; 1 and 2 vs. 4 and 5) were aged 14 days, GM steaks were cut, with 2 steaks removed from the anterior (ANT), middle (MID) and posterior (POST) sections of the GM. One steak from each section was cut into lateral (LAT), central (CENT) and medial (MED) portions, packaged aerobically, and displayed for 7 days, whereas the second steaks were cooked to 71 °C for WBSF. Top Choice-steaks were redder and more yellow (P < 0.05) than Select steaks during display. Cooking losses were greatest (P < 0.05) in the MED, and least (P < 0.05) in the CENT, portions of GM steaks. Neither QG nor YG category affected WBSF, but differences within the GM were found for (P < 0.05) WBSF. Results of this experiment indicate tenderness and color stability gradients exist within the GM.     

Comparison of consumer perception and acceptability for steaks cooked to different endpoints: Validation of photographic approach

Photographs have been used to enhance consumer reporting of preference of meat doneness, however, the use of photographs has not been validated for this purpose. This study used standard cooking methods to produce steaks of five different degrees of doneness (rare medium, medium well, well done and very well done) to study the consumer’s perception of doneness, from both the external and internal surface of the cooked steak and also from corresponding photographs of each sample. Consumers evaluated each surface of the cooked steaks in relation to doneness for acceptability, ‘just about right’ and perception of doneness. Data were analysed using a split plot ANOVA and least significant test. Perception scores (for both external and internal surfaces) between different presentation methods (steak samples and corresponding photos), were not significantly different (p > 0.05). The result indicates that photographs can be used as a valid approach for assessing preference for meat doneness.     

Effects of L- or D-lactate-enhancement on the internal cooked colour development and biochemical characteristics of beef steaks in high-oxygen modified atmosphere

The effects of L- or D-lactate on internal cooked colour development of steaks packaged in high-oxygen (80% O₂/20% CO₂) modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) was investigated. Ten USDA Select beef strip loins were divided individually into 4 equal-width sections, and one of four treatments (control, 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate, 2.5% L-lactate + 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate, and 2.5% D-lactate + 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate) was assigned randomly to the loin sections. Loin sections were injected to approximately 10% of their raw weight. Steaks packaged in high-oxygen MAP were stored in the dark at 1 °C for 10 days. Instrumental internal colour of raw and cooked steaks (70 °C), total reducing activity (TRA), NADH concentration, and percent myoglobin denaturation (PMD) were measured. Cooked steaks enhanced with 2.5% L-lactate/phosphate maintained higher a*/b* ratios, lower hue values, higher TRA and NADH concentration, and lower PMD than the control and D-lactate-injected steaks, whereas enhancement with 2.5% D-lactate did not affect cooked colour, TRA, NADH, or PMD. Thus, inclusion of an L-lactate/alkaline phosphate blend increased the reducing activity of muscle tissues by replenishing NADH and subsequently decreased the thermal denaturation of myoglobin by maintaining the reduced state of myoglobin in the high-oxygen package.     

The effects of different cooking regimes on the cook yield and tenderness of non-injected and injection enhanced forequarter beef muscles

The aim was to investigate the effect of different cooking regimes on the cook yield and tenderness of non-injected and brine injected (0.5% residual NaCl) bovine M. triceps brachii caput longum (TB), M. supraspinatus (SP) and M. pectoralis profundus (PP). Injected and non-injected TB, SP and PP muscle sections (400 g) were (a) conventionally oven cooked to 72 °C or cooked slowly (using a Δ10 programme) to 72 °C or (b) cooked in a water bath to 72 °C or cooked in a water bath to 55 °C and held at this temperature for 2 h before heating to 72 °C. In addition, injected PP muscle sections were oven cooked to 69 °C and held at this temperature for up to 12 h. Slow cooking using a Δ10 programme had no significant (P < 0.05) effect on WBSF values of injected or non-injected SP and TB muscles but significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the WBSF values of injected and non-injected PP muscles when compared to conventional cooking. Slow cooking significantly (P < 0.05) increased % cook yield of injected PP, SP and TB muscles. Staged cooking significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the WBSF values and had no significant effect on sensory tenderness ratings of non-injected TB, SP and PP muscles and injected PP muscles. Staged cooked injected or non-injected PP, SP and TB muscles had lower % cook yield values than those cooked straight to 72 °C. Increasing the cooking time of injected PP muscles at 69 °C to 8 and 12 h decreased % cook yield, decreased WBSF values and increased sensory tenderness ratings. It also alleviated the problem of residual chewiness which was evident in PP muscles cooked using the other regimes.     

Relationship between collagen characteristics,lipid content and raw and cooked texture of meat from young bulls of fifteen European breeds

Variations in texture were determined for 10 day aged raw and cooked Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle from 436 bulls of 15 European cattle breeds slaughtered at an age of 13–16 months. Variations in texture were related to differences in pH 24 h post-mortem, sarcomere length, collagen characteristics and lipid content. The shear force of cooked meat samples varied from 43.8 to 67.4 N/cm². Simmental, Highland and Marchigiana cattle had the highest shear force values and Avileña-Negra Ibérica, Charolais, Casina and Pirenaica cattle had the lowest values. Cooked meat toughness showed a weak negative correlation to lipid content (P < 0.001) but no correlation to collagen characteristics. Raw meat texture measured by compression correlated positively (P < 0.001) with total and insoluble collagen. In conclusion, collagen characteristics showed correlation to raw meat texture but not to cooked meat toughness of LT muscle in European young bulls.     

Retail yields and palatability evaluations of individual muscles from wet-aged and dry-aged beef ribeyes and top sirloin butts that were merchandised innovatively

Paired ribeyes (n = 24) and top sirloin butts (n = 24) were dry-aged or wet-aged for 35 days before being merchandised as individual muscles: M. spinalis thoracis, M. longissimus thoracis, M. gluteobiceps, and M. gluteus medius. Wet-aged subprimals had greater saleable yields than dry-aged. Dry-aged M. spinalis thoracis and M. gluteobiceps received lower consumer overall like and flavor ratings than did wet-aged; interior muscles — M. longissimus thoracis and M. gluteus medius — did not differ. Trained panelists found higher musty and putrid flavors for dry-aged muscles closer to exterior surface. These flavors may have contributed to lower consumer overall like and flavor ratings for dry-aged M. spinalis thoracis and M. gluteobiceps. Using innovative styles to cut beef allows for greater merchandising options. However, development of undesirable flavor characteristics may be more pronounced when exterior muscles — M. spinalis thoracis and M. gluteobiceps — are exposed during dry-aging to extreme conditions and are consumed individually.     

Palatability of bison semimembranosus and effects of marination

The present study was conducted to investigate the palatability of bison semimembranosus muscle (SM) and the effects of injection with sodium chloride and sodium tripolyphosphate on cooking yield, colour, shear force and consumer acceptability. Twenty paired SM were obtained from 10 intact male bison (aged 24-30 months); each of these muscles was divided longitudinally into two sections. One section was injected to 110% of its original weight to contain 0.5% sodium chloride and 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate, while the other was kept as a non-injected control. HunterLab a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values did not differ (P>0.05) between injection treatments; however, injected steaks had lower L* values (darker) compared to controls. Control samples from bison SM were very lean and high in protein but not very tender. Marination by injection was able to significantly reduce shear force values of SM; that is, injected steaks/roasts had significantly (P<0.001) lower shear force values (63.9 N) compared to control samples (102.3 N). Cooking yields for the steaks/roasts from the injected sections were significantly (P<0.001) higher compared to those from control non-injected sections when cooked to either 71 or 77?°C. Bison samples cooked by moist-heat had significantly (P<0.001) lower cooking losses and shear force values compared to those cooked by dry-heat. As expected, steaks/roasts were more tender and had higher cooking yields when cooked to a medium level of doneness (71?°C) compared to an internal temperature of 77?°C (well done). A panel of 80 consumers preferred injected steaks cooked to 77?°C endpoint over other combinations, followed by non-injected steaks cooked to 71?°C, whereas injected steaks cooked to 71?°C and non-injected steaks cooked to 77?°C were equally but least preferred. Hence, injection seems to be protecting against moisture loss at high end-point cooking temperatures.     

Consumer assessment of beef palatability from four beef muscles from USDA Choice and Select graded carcasses

Consumer sensory analysis was conducted to determine differences in beef palatability between two quality grade categories [Upper 2/3 (Top) Choice and Select] and four muscles [longissimus lumborum (LL), gluteus medius (GM), serratus ventralis (SV), and semimembranosus (SM)]. Generally, tenderness, flavor, and overall liking scores were more desirable for Top Choice compared to Select, regardless of muscle. Consumers rated LL as more tender (P < 0.05) than SV and SM, but similar to GM (P = 0.52). Overall and flavor acceptability were similar (P > 0.05) between LL, GM, and SV, regardless of quality grade. Consumer overall liking was most highly correlated with flavor liking (r = 0.85). When tenderness was acceptable, flavor and juiciness played a major role in determining overall acceptability. Overall liking of GM and SV from Top Choice carcasses was superior to LL from Select carcasses and comparable to LL from Top Choice carcasses.     

Palatability of Beef Skirt Steaks as Influenced by Grade/Maturity Group, Anatomical Location and Mechanical Tenderization

Beef inside and outside skirts (n = 120) obtained from 30 U.S. Choice carcasses and from 30 U.S. Utility cow carcasses were used in a study to evaluate anatomical location, grade/maturity group and method of mechanical tenderization on the palatability of cooked “fajita” beef. Ratings for juiciness, muscle fiber tenderness, overall tenderness, and overall palatability were higher (P < 0.05) for outside skirts than for inside skirts. Skirt steaks—inside and outside—from U.S. Choice carcasses were juicier, more tender overall, and more palatable overall than skirt steaks from U.S. Utility carcasses. Cubing, as a method of tenderization, was more useful for skirts from U.S. Utility carcasses than for skirt steaks from U.S. Choice carcasses.     

Influence of blade tenderization,moisture enhancement and pancreatin enzyme treatment on the processing characteristics and tenderness of beef semitendinosus muscle

The combined effect of blade tenderization (BT), moisture enhancement and enzymatic tenderization on drip loss, cook loss, Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and sensory characteristics of beef semitendinosus (ST) steaks from cattle under 30 months of age was investigated.     

Performance of cold-set binding agents in re-formed beef steaks

Four cold-setting gel-forming binding agents were compared in preparation of re-formed steaks from strips of each of two muscles, M. triceps brachii-caput longum (TB) from the shoulder, and M. pectoralis profundus (PP) from the brisket, of steer forequarter. The binding agents, which were commercial preparations, were Activa, containing transglutaminase enzyme as active ingredient, Fibrimex, containing the blood plasma fractions fibrinogen and thrombin, Textor, containing a modified starch, and alginate, containing sodium alginate and Ca⁺⁺. Binding of the cooked steaks and of slices therefrom, was satisfactory for the first three of the above but relatively weak for the alginate agent. Colour of steaks was affected by binder, in that Activa and Textor treatments gave lighter, redder and yellower (higher L∗, a∗, b∗ values) steaks than did the other two. Overall acceptability ratings by taste panels corresponded with those for flavour in the case of TB steaks, with Activa and Fibrimex samples scoring highest (P < 0.05). For the less tender PP steaks, the highest acceptability score was for the Textor samples, reflecting their scoring best for tenderness. Warner–Bratzler shear force values corresponded with tenderness ratings in that Textor samples had lowest shear values for both muscles, but the differences were not significant. The overall conclusion, considering cohesion, appearance, cooking yield and sensory quality of the products, was that the Activa binder performed best and would facilitate the production of good-quality chilled re-formed beef steaks from various low-value beef muscles, and without addition of sodium chloride if so desired.     

A simplified method for numerical simulation of gas grilling of non-intact beef steaks to eliminate Escherichia coli O157:H7

The objective of this work was to develop a numerical simulation method to study the heat transfer process and inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during gas grilling of non-intact beef steaks (NIBS). A finite difference and optimization algorithm was developed to determine the effective heat transfer parameters during grilling. After validation, these parameters were used in a finite element method to simulate the temperature profiles at various locations of NIBS (2.54 cm in thickness). The computer simulation results showed that E. coli O157:H7 may survive the heating processes if normal grilling conditions for intact beef steaks were used. Computer simulation results also suggested that E. coli O157:H7 might be effectively inactivated if NIBS (2.54 cm) were evenly flipped (every 4 min) and cooked for 16 min during cooking. The result of this study may help the food service industry to develop more adequate grilling methods and conditions to cook NIBS.