TENDERNESS, pH AND ACCEPTABILITY OF MEAT FROM PODOLIAN AND LIMOUSINE × PODOLIAN YOUNG BULLS

The relationships between meat pH, sensory tenderness and acceptability for Podolian (P) and Limousine  ×  Podolian (LP) beef were investigated. Negative linear relationships between pH measured at each of 1, 24 and 48 h post mortem and sensory tenderness were found at 2 ( P <  0.001) and 7 days of ageing ( P <  0.05). At 7 days of ageing, sensory tenderness was higher ( P <  0.001) than that at 2 days of ageing. LP beef showed higher sensory tenderness ( P <  0.001) than P. The regression between perceived tenderness and acceptability was separately calculated for LP and P beef. Both were significant ( P <  0.01 and P <  0.001, respectively). In addition, a significant difference was observed between the two regression coefficients ( P <  0.05), indicating that the two variables were more associated for P than LP beef.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Meat acceptability is obviously related to tenderness. More interestingly, other factors (e.g., familiarity, age, etc.) can affect product acceptability. In fact, the same product can be perceived by some consumers as being tough, whereas it can be considered tender by others, corresponding to low and high levels of acceptability, respectively. Therefore, along with treatments aimed to increase tenderness (e.g., ageing), information about the product, age and familiarity of consumers, etc., can increase the acceptability of meats, which are less tender because of their intrinsic properties.     

Retail display evaluation of steaks from select beef strip loins injected with a brine containing 1% ammonium hydroxide. Part 2: Cook yield, tenderness, and sensory attributes

The impact of 2 different brines on the palatability and tenderness of select beef strip loin steaks was evaluated. Brines were differentiated by the type of alkaline agent, 4.5% sodium-based phosphate (control brine; CON) or 1% ammonium hydroxide (ammonium hydroxide treatment; AHT), incorporated into the formula. Injected steaks were placed in high oxygen (80% O(2)/20% CO(2)) MAP, stored 4 d at 4 °C in dark storage to simulate transportation, and then placed in retail display. Steaks were selected randomly on day 0, 7, and 14 retail display to measure pH, cook loss, shear force, and sensory characteristics. The pH for AHT steaks (pH 5.96) was slightly higher than CON steaks (pH 5.86; P < 0.05). Cook loss was lower (21%) for CON than AHT steaks (23%). There was neither a treatment nor day effect on tenderness as measured by Warner-Braztler shear force (P > 0.05). Sensory evaluation indicated that on day 0, retail display the initial juiciness, sustained juiciness, tenderness 1st impression, tenderness overall impression, and connective tissue in AHT steaks was not different from CON steaks (P > 0.05). A day effect (decrease) for those sensory parameters was observed only for sustained juiciness (P < 0.05). AHT steaks were rated higher in cooked beef flavor while CON steaks were higher in peppery and salty flavor. There was no difference in soapy and ammonia intensity between treatments. Results indicated that despite lower performance in cook loss the replacement of 4.5% sodium-based phosphate in a meat injection brine with 1% ammonium hydroxide produced a beef loin steak with comparable tenderness and palatability. Practical Application: The research in this study compares steaks that have been injected with a commercial brine formulated with sodium phosphates to steaks that have been injected with a brine where the sodium phosphate in the formulation was replaced with 1% ammonium hydroxide. Ammonium hydroxide is an USDA-FSIS approved ingredient in brines injected into fresh meats. Successful replacement of sodium phosphate with ammonium hydroxide would allow processors to significantly reduce the sodium content of injected fresh meat.     

REALIMENTATION OF CULL BEEF COWS. II. MEAT QUALITY OF MUSCLES FROM THE CHUCK, LOIN AND ROUND IN RESPONSE TO DIET AND ENHANCEMENT

From an experiment in which 60 beef cull cows were assigned to one of three feeding treatments, forage fed, high concentrate or high concentrate plus ractopamine, 10 muscles were removed from both sides of the carcass. Muscles from one side of the carcass were enhanced with a solution to target 0.3% salt and 0.3% phosphate in the final product. Minimal to no differences were observed in color, pH, sensory characteristics or shear force as a result of dietary treatment. Enhancement resulted in muscles with higher ( P ≤  0.05) pH and darker color. Sensory scores for juiciness and tenderness were improved ( P ≤  0.05) with enhancement. The Adductor was the only muscle not exhibiting lower shear values due to enhancement ( P >  0.05). To add further value to meat from cull cows, enhancement could be utilized, independent of feeding regimen prior to slaughter.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The use of enhancement in the beef industry has become common practice, particularly in beef from lower grading cattle. However, research examining the improvement in palatability with enhancement has focused mainly on younger cattle. Our research demonstrates that enhancement is able to improve the sensory characteristics of meat from cull cows.
Thus, in meat from older animals, which is usually characterized as being less palatable, enhancement could be used to improve the organoleptic traits. This practice may assist the beef industry in capturing further value from cull cows.     

Effect of Muscle Type and Mixing Time on Sectioned and Formed Beef Steaks

Sectioned and formed beef steaks were manufactured from Standard beef rounds, Choice beef plates and Choice, Yield Grade 3, Meat Buyers Guide (126) 3-piece chucks. Replicates were established by slaughter day. A trained sensory panel evaluated juiciness, flavor, tenderness, and connective tissue residue. Color scores were assigned to steaks from each treatment. Instron Kramer shear was used to evaluate tenderness and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) was used to measure rancidity. Reflectance spectrophotometry indicated oxymyoglobin and metmyoglobin content. Mixing improved tenderness (P < 0.01) by 20% after 18 min. An 8% improvement occurred after 6 min. Mixing increased sensory juiciness (P < 0.01) and flavor (P < 0.05). Subjective and objective measures indicated that steaks processed from chuck were less tender (P < 0.01). Cooking yields improved linearly (P < 0.01) due to mixing. The TBA values were low and did not change due to treatment or after 90 days storage at –30°C. Subjective and objective color analyses indicated highly desirable color for fresh beef. Steaks processed from chuck meat were higher in percent metmyoglobin.     

Muscle Mineral Concentrations as Predictors of Taste Panel Sensory Attributes of Beef

M. longissimus concentrations of Zn, Co, Se, Cd, Mn, Na, Fe, Ca and Mg were used to predict taste panel sensory attributes of 144 beef rib roasts. The best equations included 4, 6, 2 and 5 predictors for flavor, juiciness, tenderness and chew test, respectively, and explained from 4.9 (tenderness) to 26% (flavor) of the variation. When all predictors were used, they explained 28.2, 25.6, 7.5 and 25.4% of the variation in flavor, juiciness, tenderness and chew test. Thus, muscle mineral concentration is as poor a predictor of sensory attributes as marbling score. If variation in taste panel sensory attributes of beef from young cattle is important, other predictors must be identified.     

Influence of particular breed on meat quality parameters, sensory characteristics, and volatile components

The present study demonstrates the effect of breed on meat quality, sensory characteristics, and flavor components. Longissimus dorsi of ‘Angus’ and ‘Hanwoo’ breeds aged for 29 days were used for investigation of the aforementioned characteristics. Our results revealed that intramuscular fat (IMF) was higher for ‘Hanwoo’ beef as compared to ‘Angus’ (p<0.05). A total of 62 flavor compounds were identified, the amount of these compounds varied significantly among ‘Hanwoo’ and ‘Angus’ cattle. The ‘Hanwoo’ beef produced high level of pleasant flavor compounds such as octanal and nonanal derived from oleic acid. Also, the amount of unpleasant flavor compounds such as benzaldehyde derived from linolenic acid was lower than that of ‘Angus’ (p<0.05). Moreover, the tenderness, juiciness, and flavor scores were also higher for ‘Hanwoo’ beef when compared with ‘Angus’. In conclusion, our results clearly demonstrated that the breed had a potential impact on the meat quality, sensory, and volatile components.     

SELECTED SENSORY AND CHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES OF CHICKEN BREAKFAST SAUSAGES FROM DIFFERENT ANIMAL FAT SOURCES

Four breakfast sausage formulations were prepared to contain: (1) chicken lean + chicken fat (CF), (2) chicken lean + beef fat (BF), (3) chicken lean + pork fat (PF), or (4) chicken lean + high-oleic pork fat (PO). Formulations were targeted to contain 15% fat. Acceptability, tenderness, juiciness and flavor scores for each of the formulations as measured by a consumer taste panel (n = 71), were not different (P> 0.05). Sausages prepared with CF had a higher (P < 0.05) cooking loss and lower fat content than those prepared with BF. Thibarbituric acid (TBA) values for PO were significantly lower than those containing BF, PF, or CF. Sausage products containing chicken fat exhibited the highest TBA values during 9 days of storage at 4°C. These results suggested that chicken, beef, pork or high-oleic fats can be used as the fat source in low-fat chicken breakfast sausages without affecting the product acceptability.     

Acceptability and functional properties of restructured roast from frozen pre-rigor injected beef

Restructured beef roasts, made to a standardized formulation, were prepared using the following types of meat that had been stored at - 18 °C for 5 or 10 weeks: grass-fed bull beef pre-rigor injected with a salt/phosphate brine; uninjected grass-fed bull beef; uninjected grain-fed beef; a 50:50 blend of pre-rigor injected grass-fed bull beef and grain-fed beef; and a 50:50 blend of uninjected grass-fed bull beef and grain-fed beef. After frozen storage, pre-rigor injected beef had a higher (p < 0.05) ultimate pH than uninjected beef . Grain-fed beef had the lowest ultimate pH. Roasts made from pre-rigor injected beef were redder (higher Hunter a(?) values) than roasts made with uninjected beef (p < 0.05). Roasts made from grain-fed beef were lighter and looked more cooked (higher L(?) and lower a(?) values respectively) than those made with grass-fed beef. Extending frozen storage to 10 weeks decreased the cook yield (p < 0.05), peak force (p < 0.001) and extensibility (p < 0.05). Consumer panellists preferred (p < 0.05) roasts made from pre-rigor injected beef for tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability compared with roasts made from uninjected beef.     

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FATS ON THE QUALITY OF GOAT MEAT PATTIES INCORPORATED WITH FULL-FAT SOY PASTE

Effect of different fats such as goat fat, chicken fat, combination of goat and chicken fat and refined mustard oil (RMO) were evaluated in goat meat patties (GMPs). Patties with 10% RMO contributed significantly ( P <  0.05) better emulsion stability compared with others. There were no significant effects of different fats on physicochemical and textural attributes of patties. Patties with RMO had significantly ( P <  0.05) lower cholesterol content than other groups. GMPs with RMO, chicken fat and chicken and goat fat combination rated higher for all sensory attributes than patties with goat fat, which had significantly ( P <  0.05) higher mouth coating and lower overall acceptability. Flavor and overall acceptability were higher in patties with chicken fat. Histological study showed improper dispersion of goat fat in continuous phase of meat protein matrix (emulsion) compared with others .

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Utilization of hard fats from goat, sheep and buffalo in emulsion-based meat products decreases emulsion stability because of its poor dispersibility, and consequently its cooking yield. Goat fat also contributes to a smeary and greasy mouth-coating problem and reduces the palatability of meat products. Alternatively, chicken fat disperses well in meat emulsion because of its high unsaturation and enhances the flavor of the products. However, the efficient utilization of goat fat is essential to support an economical goat meat production system and for developing meat products. The present study showed successful utilization of goat fat when combined with chicken fat, and the products had similar sensory attributes and acceptability as in meat products with chicken fat and refined mustard oil. This study would also help in better use of excess fat from spent hens in other meat products.     

Sensory Evaluation of Forage- and Grain-Fed Beef

Rib roasts, rib steaks, and shoulder roasts from forage and grain-fed cattle were compared. By means of triangle testing, panelists were able to detect differences between beef from the two feeding regimes. However, no significant preferences were shown for flavor of lean, flavor of fat, tenderness, or juiciness nor were there significant differences in cooking losses. The differences shown did not affect acceptability of forage-fed beef.     

Meat quality characteristics of springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis). 4: Sensory meat evaluation as influenced by age, gender and production region

The effects of age, gender and production region on the sensory characteristics of springbok M. longissimus dorsi (LD) were investigated in 19 springbok, which originated from two Nature Reserves in the Free State Province of South Africa and were divided into age (adult, sub-adult) and gender categories. The sensory characteristics evaluated were game meat aroma, juiciness, residual tissue, tenderness and game meat flavour. Age, gender and production region had an effect (P < 0.05) on different sensory ratings of the meat. Whereas production region influenced (P < 0.05) the game meat aroma, initial juiciness, sustained juiciness and residual tissue ratings of the meat, gender and age had a significant effect on only the residual tissue rating of the meat. An interaction (P < 0.01) between age, gender and production region was observed for the tenderness attribute where the males from the Gariep Nature Reserve were the only gender that showed a significantly higher tenderness rating in the sub-adult than in the adult category. Sensory ratings were linearly correlated with certain physical and chemical attributes. Warner–Bratzler shear force (kg/1.27 cm diameter) values were inversely correlated with the sensory attributes of tenderness (r = −0.70, P < 0.01), residual tissue (r = −0.68, P < 0.01) and sustained juiciness (r = −0.43; P < 0.05). Age-related effects on perceived tenderness were minor in comparison with pH effects. As the pH₂₄ of the meat increased, tenderness (r = −0.46, P < 0.05) and sustained juiciness (r = −0.54, P < 0.05) decreased significantly. No significant linear correlations were observed between the intramuscular fat (IMF) content and the sustained juiciness ratings of the meat. It can be concluded that production region had some influence on sensory characteristics of springbok meat, whilst the influence of age and gender were negligible.     

THE INFLUENCE OF POLYPHOSPHATE MARINATION ON SIMMENTAL BEEF SHEAR VALUE AND ULTRASTRUCTURE

The beef semitendinosus muscles were marinated for 1, 2 or 3 days with every polyphosphate at concentration of 1, 3 and 5%. Disodium dihydrogen pyrophosphate significantly increased ( P <  0.01) soluble collagen content compared with the other polyphosphates; tetrosodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) disrupted myofibrillar structure completely; Z-disks disappeared under transmission electron microscope (TEM); and myofibril bundles collapsed together. Sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) disrupted myofibrillar structure as well, but Z-disks were still perceptible under TEM. TSPP dissolved perimysium into collagen fibers and collagen fibrils, which arranged loosely and looked like dispersed silk. Perimysium was separated into collagen fibers and collagen fibrils by STPP and SHMP, but collagen fibrils were in close contact with each other. Polyphosphates all decreased shear force significantly compared with controls ( P <  0.05).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The tenderness and juiciness of meat are the most important focus of consumers. Food additives, especially polyphosphates, are generally added into fresh retail cuts as well as further processed products to improve water-holding capacity and tenderness by meat industries. The article compared the different effects of polyphosphates and the effect of concentration on the ultrastructure and shear force of meat samples, thereby offering a theoretic guidance for the practical application of polyphosphates.     

Effects of quality grade on the chemical, physical and sensory characteristics of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) beef

The effects of quality grade (which reflects relative marbling) on the chemical, physical and sensory properties was investigated using Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) beef. Thirty-six Hanwoo cows were slaughtered and the carcasses were graded at 24h postmortem according to the Korean carcass grading system. The quality grade 1 (high quality), grade 2 and grade 3 (low quality) were based on the marbling score of longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles. The effects of quality grade on the meat quality parameters of beef LD muscle were assessed during aging. Loin-eye area, fat thickness and yield grade were all similar for the three quality groups. Mean lean color, fat color and maturity scores did not differ among quality grade groups (P>0.05). pH, Sarcomere length, WHC, collagen content, cooking loss, shear force and MFI were not affected by quality grade groups. Drip loss for grade 1 group was significantly lower than that for grade 3 groups (P<0.05). At initial tenderness evaluation of steaks, no differences among the three grades were observed; however, with additional days of storage, grade 1 steaks had higher tenderness score than grade 3 steaks (P<0.05). Increased postmortem aging time improved tenderness attributes regardless of quality groups. No significant differences were found among the quality grade groups for flavor (P>0.05). The grade 1 group had the highest juiciness score, and grade 3 groups had the lowest score (P<0.05), but postmortem aging did not influence flavor and juiciness. The quality grades were more strongly related to juiciness than tenderness or flavor.     

Effect of an active packaging with citrus extract on lipid oxidation and sensory quality of cooked turkey meat

An antioxidant active packaging was prepared by coating a citrus extract, consisting of a mixture of carboxylic acids and flavanones, on polyethylene terephthalate trays. The effect of the packaging in reducing lipid oxidation in cooked turkey meat and on meat pH, colour characteristics and sensorial parameters was investigated. An untrained sensory panel evaluated the odour, taste, tenderness, juiciness and overall acceptability of the meat, using triangle, paired preference and quantitative response scale tests. A comparison between the antioxidant effects of the different components of the extract was also carried out. The packaging led to a significant reduction in lipid oxidation. After 2 days of refrigerated storage the sensory panel detected differences in odour and, after 4 days, rated the meat stored in the active packaging higher for tenderness and overall acceptability. Citric acid appeared to be the most important component of the extract with regard to its antioxidant potency.     

Effects of Oregano Oil Brine Enhancement on Quality Attributes of Beef Longissimus dorsi and Semimembranosus Muscles from Various Age Animals

ABSTRACT: The study reports whether or not oregano oil can reduce lipid oxidation and evaluate palatability variations in beef longissimus dorsi and semimembranosus muscles from various age animals (approximately 18 mo; 18 M, 30 to 60 mo; 30 M, and >60 mo; 60 M). Six muscles of each age group were halved and enhanced with a control brine containing no antioxidants (CN) or a brine containing oregano oil (OR), cut into steaks, and stored in modified atmosphere packaging for 0, 4, 7, and 11 d. Each sampling day, surface color (Minolta L*, a*, b*), lipid oxidation (TBARS), cook yield, sensory analysis, and Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) were measured. OR enhancement decreased TBARS values and slowed the rate of decline in a* values (P < 0.05), but had no effect on WBSF, or sensory tenderness and juiciness scores (P > 0.05) compared to CN steaks. OR steaks had less rancidity detection, more off-flavor, lower overall acceptability in sensory analysis (P < 0.05). This indicated oregano oil can effectively reduce lipid oxidation and extend shelf-life of meat products, but further investigation would be needed to avoid off-flavor and acceptability of product quality. Practical Application: Decreases in meat consumption have led the meat industry to become more innovative in product development. Reducing lipid oxidation is a viable method to reduce rancidity, and improving product acceptability. Our research indicated that although oregano oil did reduce lipid oxidation, the adverse effects of flavor were too great, and thus would not be tolerable in fresh meat products at this concentration. However, there is potential to use oregano oil at lower concentrations and in a variety of processed products which could be beneficial to further the use of natural antioxidants.     

The tenderisation of shin beef using a citrus juice marinade

The effectiveness of organic acids (acetic, citric, lactic) and a citrus juice marinade as tenderising agents in shin beef muscle was investigated. At 0.2 M, citric acid was more effective as a tenderising agent than acetic or lactic acid. Immersion of shin beef strips in citric acid (0-0.05 M) showed that a significant tenderising effect was obtained above a concentration of 0.013 M. When shin beef strips were immersed in the citrus juice marinade (31% orange juice, 31% lemon juice, 38% distilled water) mean pH decreased from 5.7 to 3.1 and mean sample weight increased by ～65%. The mean Warner-Bratzler shear force value decreased from 178 to 44 N cm(-2) following marination while mean sensory analysis scores for tenderness and juiciness increased following marination. A mean total collagen content of 1.4 g/100 g was recorded in shin beef of which 9% was soluble in unmarinated samples and 29% was soluble in marinated samples. The results indicated that the tenderisation of beef samples using a citrus juice marinade could be attributed to marinade uptake by muscle proteins and also to solubilisation of collagen.     

Beef flavor: a review from chemistry to consumer

This paper briefly reviews research that describes the sensation, generation and consumer acceptance of beef flavor. Humans sense the five basic tastes in their taste buds, and receptors in the nasal and sinus cavities sense aromas. Additionally, trigeminal senses such as metallic and astringent are sensed in the oral and nasal cavities and can have an effect on the flavor of beef. Flavors are generated from a complex interaction of tastes, tactile senses and aromas taken collectively throughout the tongue, nasal, sinus and oral cavities. Cooking beef generates compounds that contribute to these senses and result in beef flavor, and the factors that are involved in the cookery process determine the amount and type of these compounds and therefore the flavor generated. A low‐heat, slow cooking method generates primarily lipid degradation products, while high‐heat, fast cookery generates more Maillard reaction products. The science of consumer acceptance, cluster analyses and drawing relationships among all flavor determinants is a relatively new discipline in beef flavor. Consumers rate beef that has lipid degradation products generated from a low degree of doneness and Maillard flavor products from fast, hot cookery the highest in overall liking, and current research has shown that strong relationships exist between beef flavor and consumer acceptability, even more so than juiciness or tenderness. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry     

Consumer sensory evaluations of aging effects on beef quality

ABSTRACT:  The most important sensory attribute affecting consumer acceptability is tenderness, which is a complex trait. Aging is the practice of holding meat at low temperatures to improve tenderness. In order to assess consumer quality attributes, cattle were selected to represent a range of quality grades from Utility to Prime. Steaks from these cattle were aged in vacuum bags for 0, 7, or 14 d, cut, and cooked on open hearth grills to 70 °C. Sensory evaluation was completed by consumers ( n = 522). Warner–Bratzler (WB) shear and various physical characteristics were also determined. Shear values decreased with aging time and tenderness increased. Consumers perceived the majority of change in tenderness occurred during the first 7 d of aging while change in WB shear was similar during the first 7 d and the second 7 d of aging. Aging had no effect ( P > 0.05) on juiciness, flavor, pH, lipid content, or water content of steaks.     

Fatty Acid Content,Flavor Compounds,and Sensory Quality of Pork Loin as Affected by Dietary Supplementation with l‐arginine and Glutamic Acid

To investigate the effect of functional amino acid on meat flavor and eating quality, 60 growing‐finishing pigs (Duroc × Large White × Landrace) were dietarily supplemented with or without 1.0% l ‐arginine, glutamic acid, or l ‐arginine plus glutamic acid for 2 months. After animals were slaughtered, the muscle fatty acid profile, flavor compounds, and meat sensory quality were comparatively investigated. The results showed that dietary supplementation with arginine, glutamic acid, or arginine plus glutamic acid had little effect on free amino acids, no effect on 5′‐nucleotides and meat sensory taste traits, but supplementation with arginine plus glutamic acid significantly increased (P < 0.05) fat accumulation and fatty acid content in muscle, increased (P < 0.05) the formation of multiple fatty acid oxidation‐derived volatile compounds, and improved the tenderness, juiciness, and overall eating quality of meat. This study revealed that dietary supplementation with 1.0% l ‐arginine and glutamic acid could be used to improve meat eating quality in pork production.     

COLLAGEN AS A HAMBURGER EXTENDER

Bovine hide collagen was added to ground beef at 0, 10 or 20% level replacing lean meat and stored at ?15°C up to 2 weeks to evaluate the effect of collagen level and storage time on the quality. Beef patties with collagen were found to be superior (P<0.05) in juiciness by the taste panel while the flavor, texture and overall acceptability decreased as the collagen level increased. However, no significant differences were observed for these attributes due to storage time. Collagen was found to bind moisture as indicated by no significant cooking loss due to replacement levels or storage. Chemical rancidity decreased significantly as the collagen level increased but was not influenced by length of storage. The addition of collagen to ground beef resulted in a lighter colored patty which was influenced by collagen level and storage time. The patties tended to become less cohesive as collagen level increased but the texture improved upon storage.