Effects of ascorbic acid and Origanox™ in different packaging systems to prevent pork lumbar vertebrae discoloration

Darkening of bone marrow in packaged fresh pork is problematic and may be caused by pro-oxidative iron and (or) a pro-oxidative atmosphere. We evaluated the effects of ascorbic acid (AA) and Origanox? (OG) in different packaging systems to prevent pork lumbar vertebrae marrow discoloration. Concentrations of 1.25%, 1.875%, or 2.5% AA; 0.15% OG+0.30% AA; and 0.225% OG+0.45% AA were applied in 0.5-ml aliquots to 2.54-cm-thick pork lumbar vertebrae sections (n=288). Three packaging systems were used: high-oxygen (HiOx) modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), ultra-low-oxygen (ULOx) MAP, and polyvinyl chloride film (PVC). Vertebrae in HiOx MAP treated with 1.875% or 2.50% AA had superior (P<0.05) visual color to HiOx and PVC control by d 8. Antioxidant-treated vertebrae in HiOx had the highest (P<0.05) d 8 a(?) values. Vertebrae treated with 1.875% or 2.50% AA in ULOx MAP had the least (P<0.05) discoloration as assessed by a(?)/b(?) by d 8. Topical antioxidant application was very beneficial in preventing vertebrae discoloration in PVC and HiOx packaging systems.     

Effects of ascorbic acid, rosemary, and Origanox™ in preventing bone marrow discoloration in beef lumbar vertebrae in aerobic and anaerobic packaging systems

Treatments of 1.25% or 2.5% ascorbic acid (AA); 0.1% or 0.2% rosemary; or a combination of 0.15% Origanox™ + 0.3% AA on beef lumbar vertebrae (n = 72) were evaluated for their effectiveness in preventing bone discoloration in retail packages. Vertebrae were held either 6 or 14 d postmortem; cut into 2.54-cm sections; and packaged into either polyvinyl chloride film overwrap (PVC), high-oxygen (80% O₂/20% CO₂) modified-atmosphere packages (MAP), or ultra-low-oxygen (70% N₂/30% CO₂) MAP. Controls and vertebrae treated with 0.1% or 0.2% rosemary discolored significantly, whereas 0.15% Origanox™ + 0.3% AA was effective through d 2 of display in PVC and high-oxygen MAP. In both high- and ultra-low-oxygen MAP, 1.25% AA was as effective as 2.5% AA in preventing bone discoloration. Vertebrae treated with AA or packaged in ultra-low-oxygen MAP had the largest a* values over display time. Bone discoloration was effectively prevented with AA, especially at the 2.5% concentration.     

Exclusion of oxygen from modified atmosphere packages limits beef rib and lumbar vertebrae marrow discoloration during display and storage

Visual and instrumental color (L*a*b* and reflectance from 400 to 700 nm) were used to evaluate packaging atmosphere as a way of minimizing beef marrow discoloration. In experiment 1, rib ends (n=24) packaged in 80% O(2)/20% CO(2) discolored more than ribs packaged in 100% N(2), which resulted in a relatively stable purplish marrow color through a 7-day display at 1 °C. In experiment 2, lumbar vertebrae (n=10) packaged in 80% O(2)/20% CO(2) had a rapid and significant discoloration within 24 h after packaging, likely because of the formation of methemoglobin. Conversely, vertebrae packaged in 80% N(2)/20% CO(2) and 0.4% CO/30% CO(2)/69.6% N(2) remained color stable during 2 and 6 weeks of storage at 4 °C, respectively. Exclusion of oxygen from MAP packages and the addition of low concentrations of CO minimized beef rib and lumbar vertebrae discoloration compared with high-oxygen MAP.     

Comparison of ascorbic acid and sodium erythorbate: Effects on the 24h display colour of beef lumbar vertebrae and longissimus lumborum packaged in high-oxygen modified atmospheres

Sodium erythorbate and ascorbic acid were compared as a means to stabilize surface colour of bone-in beef steaks in high-oxygen modified atmosphere (80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide). Bone-in strip loins (n = 8) were fabricated into 1.9 -cm thick steaks, of which both the lumbar vertebrae and longissimus lumborum were topically treated with either ascorbic acid or sodium erythorbate (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5%, wt/wt basis). Colour (L^∗a^∗b^∗) was evaluated before treatment and 24 h after packaging (display at 1 °C). Sodium erythorbate was as effective as ascorbic acid for inhibiting vertebrae discolouration (P > 0.05). Either reducing agent at 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5% improved (P < 0.05) vertebrae redness (compared with 0%, 0.05% and 0.1%). No detrimental effects on muscle colour were observed. When selecting antioxidants intended for bone-in beef steaks displayed in high-oxygen packaging, sodium erythorbate may be a cost effective substitute for ascorbic acid.     

Ascorbic acid minimizes lumbar vertebrae discoloration

Ascorbic acid was evaluated as a way of preventing bone discoloration. In experiment 1, beef bone-in t-bone steaks (lumbar vertebrae and longissimus) were treated with 0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.5% ascorbic acid (n=10). Vertebrae and muscle color (L(*)a(*)b(*)) were evaluated initially and after 24 h in 80% O(2)/20% CO(2). Vertebrae treated with 0%, 0.05%, or 0.1% ascorbic acid significantly discolored while the longissimus maintained a bright-red appearance. Ascorbic acid treatments 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% significantly minimized vertebrae discoloration and neither induced nor prevented longissimus discoloration. In experiment 2, lumbar vertebrae were treated with 0%, 0.05%, 1.5%, or 2.5% ascorbic acid (n=15), packaged in 80% O(2)/20% CO(2), and displayed for five days (1 °C). Visual color was evaluated daily by a trained panel. Ascorbic acid treatment at 1.5% or 2.5% minimized lumbar vertebrae surface discoloration. Through a five-day display at 1 °C, lumbar vertebrae with 2.5% ascorbic acid had the least bone discoloration.     

Effects of ascorbic and citric acid on beef lumbar vertebrae marrow colour

Citric acid was evaluated as a way of improving ascorbic acid’s ability to stabilize beef lumbar vertebrae colour in high-oxygen packaging (MAP; 80% O₂/20% CO₂). Vertebrae were treated with citric acid (1%, 3%, or 10%), ascorbic acid (1%, 3%, or 10%), or a combination of both. Citric acid demonstrated no positive effects (P > 0.05), compared with ascorbic acid, which inhibited (P < 0.05) discolouration throughout the 7d display. Although ascorbic acid inhibited discolouration (visual colour and a^∗; P < 0.05), 3% and 10% ascorbic acid were most effective. However, if vertebrae are displayed for less than 7d, there may be no significant colour-stabilizing advantages associated with increasing ascorbic acid from 3 to 10%. The significant oxidizing effects of citric acid at 10% were reversed (P < 0.05) by ascorbic acid. Combining citric and ascorbic acid had no synergistic affect (P > 0.05) on vertebrae colour.     

Development of a Model System to Mimic Beef Bone Discoloration

ABSTRACT: Some current practices used in the meat industry (blast chilling, enhancement, modified atmosphere packaging [MAP]) appear to result in darkening of the bone in fresh meat. The objective of this study was to develop a model system that could be used to evaluate intervention strategies to prevent this discoloration. Beef rib bones were removed from carcasses, split along the transverse plane from the proximal to the distal end of the rib, and then frozen (−20 °C) or held at 4 °C for 24 h. Half were exposed to a phosphate/salt enhancement solution while half served as the control. Samples were packaged in air or modified atmosphere packaged (MAP: 80% O₂/20% CO₂) and displayed in a retail case (4 °C, 24 h). Visual discoloration occurred during the 1st 10 h of display. More darkening (brown, green/black) was observed in previously frozen samples, whereas samples held at refrigeration temperature were redder. CIE L *, a *, and b * values determined after 24 h indicated that samples held in refrigeration before packaging were lighter and redder. After 24 h at 4 °C, previously frozen samples contained more methemoglobin/g protein in the bone marrow than did bone samples that had never been frozen.     

Sensory Evaluation of Ground Beef Stored in High-oxygen Modified Atmosphere Packaging

ABSTRACT: The quality of ground beef stored in high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) (80% O₂ and 20% CO₂) was evaluated and compared to controls stored in oxygen-impermeable chubs. Patties were formed from the stored ground meat at d 1, 6, and 10. Color, microbial load, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) number, and sensory acceptability were measured. Patties from both treatments bloomed to red with a* values > 16. Aerobic plate counts increased to 9 × 10⁵CFU/gby 10 d storage, but were not different (p < 0.05) between treatments. TBA number of high-oxygen samples increased to 2.1 after 10 d, compared to 0.8 for controls. The flavor of samples in high-oxygen were rated less desirable after 6 or 10 d.     

Internal Premature Browning in Cooked Steaks from Enhanced Beef Round Muscles Packaged in High-oxygen and Ultra-low Oxygen Modified Atmospheres

ABSTRACT: Beef round muscles were injection-enhanced to 6%, packaged in high-oxygen (HiOx) or ultra-low oxygen (LoOx) modified atmospheres, stored 7 d and displayed 2 d (HiOx) or stored 16 d and displayed 1 d (LoOx) at 0 °C, and cooked to 71.1 °C. Raw internal color for steaks in HiOx was lighter, redder, more yellow and saturated, and had more oxymyoglobin and less deoxymyoglobin than steaks in LoOx ( P < 0.0001). Cooked internal color of steaks from HiOx appeared prematurely brown and was darker, less red, yellow, and saturated, and had more denatured myoglobin than steaks from LoOx ( P < 0.0001). This study presents conclusive evidence that modified-atmosphere packaging influences internal cooked color development of beef steaks.     

Mechanically Recovered Neck Bone Lean and Ascorbic Acid Improve Color Stability of Ground Beef Patties

Ground beef patties at two ascorbic acid (Asc) levels (0 and 1,000 ppm) and three mechanically recovered neck bone lean (MRNL) levels (0, 15 and 30%) were analyzed for percentage surface metmyoglobin (metMb) and HunterLab L* and a* values over 6 days of retail display. Data were collected for two replications. Patties made with Asc had less (P < 0.01) surface metMb than patties made without Asc on days 1-4 of retail display. Ascorbic acid and MRNL acted synergistically to improve surface color. Patties made with Asc showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in surface metMb as MRNL level increased from 0 to 30%. Patties made without Asc showed no change in surface metMb as MRNL level increased.     

Internal Premature Browning in Cooked Ground Beef Patties from High-Oxygen Modified-Atmosphere Packaging

ABSTRACT: This study examined the effects of location within a package and display time on the incidence of premature browning in patties made from ground beef packaged in a high-oxygen modified atmosphere (80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide) or in vacuum for up to 14 d. On days 3, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 14 of display, patties were formed from both top and bottom portions of tissue exposed to high-oxygen. These patties contained predominantly oxymyoglobin and metmyoglobin at the time of formation and cooking. As display progressed, the percentage of oxymyoglobin decreased ( P < 0.05) and metmyoglobin increased ( P < 0.05) in the patties for both locations, whereas the percentage of deoxymyoglobin remained stable at less than 2%. Samples that were vacuum-packaged contained predominantly deoxymyoglobin. Patties from high-oxygen packages cooked to a temperature of 71.1 °C were prematurely brown ( P < 0.05) compared with vacuum-packaged samples. Patties containing predominantly deoxymyoglobin remained pinker than patties cooked directly from high-oxygen packages (lower visual color score, higher a * value; P < 0.05) on the interior after cooking. Data in this study clearly demonstrate that, regardless of time in display, nearly 100% of patties formed from high-oxygen-packaged ground beef would be prematurely brown when cooked and could pose a food safety problem if not cooked to an endpoint temperature ensuring safety.     

Effect of Antioxidant Application Methods on the Color, Lipid Oxidation, and Volatiles of Irradiated Ground Beef

ABSTRACT:  Four antioxidant treatments (none, 0.05% ascorbic acid, 0.01%α-tocopherol + 0.01% sesamol, and 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.01%α-tocopherol + 0.01% sesamol) were applied to ground beef using either mixing or spraying method. The meat samples were placed on Styrofoam trays, irradiated at 0 or 2.5 kGy, and then stored for 7 d at 4 °C. Color, lipid oxidation, volatiles, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and carbon monoxide (CO) production were determined at 0, 3, and 7 d of storage. Irradiation increased lipid oxidation of ground beef with control and ascorbic acid treatments after 3 d of storage. α-Tocopherol + sesamol and ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol + sesamol treatments were effective in slowing down lipid oxidation in ground beef during storage regardless of application methods, but mixing was better than the spraying method. Irradiation lowered L *-value and a *-value of ground beef. Storage had no effect on lightness but redness decreased with storage. Ascorbic acid was the most effective in maintaining redness of ground beef followed by ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol + sesamol. Irradiation and storage reduced the b *-value of ground beef. Irradiation lowered ORP of ground beef regardless of antioxidants application methods, but ORP was lower in beef with mixing than spraying method. Beef sprayed with antioxidants produced more hydrocarbons and alcohols than the mixing application, but ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol + sesamol treatment was effective in reducing the amount of volatiles produced by irradiation. Therefore, mixing was better than the spraying method in preventing lipid oxidation and maintaining color of irradiated ground beef.     

Antioxidant and modified atmosphere packaging prevention of discoloration in pork bones during retail display

The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of antioxidants to prevent discoloration in pork rib bones. Pork rib bones were removed from carcasses, frozen (−20 °C, 24 h), split lengthwise, exposed to antioxidant solutions (ascorbic acid, citric acid, propyl gallate or ascorbic/EDTA mix), packaged (modified atmosphere [80% O₂ and 20% CO₂] or air), then displayed in a retail case at 4 °C for 8 days. Dark pigment formation was visually evaluated during the display period. Instrumental color was determined at the end of the 8-day display period. Visual bone discoloration increased over time for all treatments. After 2 days of display, samples treated with propyl gallate were visually redder, less discolored and less green/black than samples treated with other antioxidants. After 8 days of display, propyl gallate-treated samples had higher a* and b* values, as well as chroma (intensity). However, this difference was no longer large enough to be visually detected.     

Retail Shelf-Life of Pork Dipped in Organic Acid before Modified Atmosphere or Vacuum Packaging

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is increasingly popular for meat, but raw, chilled pork in vacuum or anoxic environments has a purple color. The retail shelf‐life of pork chops dipped in 500 ppm ascorbic acid, 250 ppm citric acid, or no acid dip and stored at 1 °C before simulated retail display in MAP with gas exchange or air‐permeable packaging after vacuum pouch storage was determined. The 80% N₂:20% CO₂ in MAP was exchanged with 80% O₂:20% CO₂, and chops were removed from vacuum packages and overwrapped with permeable film (VP‐PVC) on the 7th day before simulated retail display at 4 °C. Shelf‐life traits were determined at 1, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14 d postpackaging. The pH values changed with time, but returned to post‐dipped, prepackaged levels at the end of simulated retail storage. Weight loss of chops increased (P < 0.05) in VP‐PVC compared with MAP. The a* values increased (P < 0.05) and L* and b* values decreased during simulated retail display, with higher L*, a*, and b* color values for chops in MAP than VP‐PVC. Log numbers of psychrotrophic microorganisms were higher (P < 0.05) on VP‐PVC samples than for chops in MAP on days 12 and 14. Psychrotrophic counts on ascorbic acid‐treated samples were decreased compared with citric acid or no dipping on pork during simulated retail display. Pork chops in MAP with gas exchange had lighter and redder color, increased weight retention, decreased psychrotrophic counts, and increased lipid oxidation compared with conventional vacuum and overwrap packaging systems.     

Fat Content Influences the Color, Lipid Oxidation, and Volatiles of Irradiated Ground Beef

ABSTRACT:  Ground beef with 10%, 15%, or 20% fat were added with none, 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.01%α-tocopherol, or 0.05% ascorbic acid + 0.01%α-tocopherol + 0.01% sesamol, and irradiated at 0 or 2.5 kGy. The meat samples were displayed under fluorescent light for 14 d at 4 °C. Color, lipid oxidation, volatiles, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and carbon monoxide (CO) production were determined during storage. Irradiation increased lipid oxidation and total volatiles of ground beef regardless of fat contents. Ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol + sesamol treatment was the most effective in reducing lipid oxidation during storage. The production of ethanol in nonirradiated ground beef increased dramatically after 7 d of storage due to microbial growth. Total aldehydes and hexanal increased drastically in irradiated control over the storage period, but hexanal increased the most by irradiation.  L *-values was decreased by irradiation, but increased in all meat regardless of fat contents as storage period increased. Irradiation reduced the redness, but fat contents had no effect on the  a *-value of ground beef. Sesamol lowered, but ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol maintained the redness of irradiated beef up to 2 wk of storage. The yellowness of meat was significantly decreased by irradiation. The reducing power of ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol lasted for 3 d, after which ORP values increased. Irradiation increased CO production regardless of fat content in ground beef. In conclusion, up to 20% fat had no effect on the quality change of irradiated ground beef if ascorbic acid +α-tocopherol was added.     

Effect of Meat Binding Formulations on Thermal Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Internalized in Beef

ABSTRACT:  This study evaluated the effects of meat binding or restructuring formulations, including salt/phosphate, algin/calcium, Activa™RM, and Fibrimex®, with or without 0.27% (wt/wt) lactic acid, on thermal inactivation of internalized Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground beef, serving as a model system for restructured products. Ground beef batches (700 g; approximately 5% fat) were mechanically mixed with a 5-strain composite of E. coli O157:H7 (7 log CFU/g) and then with the restructuring formulations. Product portions (30 g) were extruded into plastic test tubes (2.5 × 10 cm) and stored at 4 °C (18 h), before heating to 60 or 65 °C in a circulating water bath to simulate rare or medium-rare doneness of beef, respectively. Cooking to 60 or 65 °C reduced ( P < 0.05) bacterial counts of control samples by 1.8 and 3.2 log CFU/g, respectively. Thermal destruction at 60 °C was not different ( P > 0.05) among all treatments and the control. At 65 °C, greater ( P < 0.05) thermal inactivation of E. coli O157:H7, as compared to the control, was obtained in samples treated with lactic acid alone (reductions of 4.9 log CFU/g), whereas for all other treatments, microbial destruction (reductions of 2.2 to 4.5 log CFU/g) was comparable ( P > 0.05) to that of the control. Cooking weight losses were lower ( P < 0.05) in salt/phosphate samples (<1%) compared to other formulations and the control (7.4% to 15.9%). Findings indicated that, under the conditions examined, restructuring of beef with salt/phosphate, algin/calcium, Activa™RM, or Fibrimex® did not affect inactivation of internalized E . coli O157:H7 in undercooked (60 or 65 °C) samples, whereas inclusion of lactic acid (0.27%) in nonintact beef products enhanced pathogen destruction at 65 °C.     

The impact of single antimicrobial intervention treatment with cetylpyridinium chloride, trisodium phosphate, chlorine dioxide or lactic acid on ground beef lipid, instrumental color and sensory characteristics

The effects of antimicrobial agents on ground beef were evaluated to determine if instrumental color, sensory or odor characteristics were impacted. Trimmings were treated with 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), 200-ppm chlorine dioxide (CLO), 0.5% lactic acid (LA), 10% trisodium phosphate (TSP), or an untreated control (C). Ground beef made from trimmings with CLO and TSP were similar (P > 0.05) in L(?) values to the control; however, samples were redder (a(?); P<0.05) than the control. Likewise, sensory panelists found ground beef from the CPC and TSP treatments redder (P<0.05) for worst point color than the control by day 2 of display. The CLO, CPC and TSP treatments were similar (P>0.05) to the control in beef odor intensity until day 3 of display. Therefore, the use of antimicrobial agents on beef trimmings may not adversely affect, and may improve bulk ground beef color and odor characteristics.     

Effects of Ascorbic Acid and Antioxidants on the Color of Irradiated Ground Beef

Irradiation significantly decreased the redness of ground beef (P < 0.05), and the visible color of beef changed from a bright red to a green/brown, depending on the age of meat. Addition of ascorbic acid (0.1%, wt/ wt) in ground beef prior to irradiation prevented color changes in irradiated beef, and the effect of ascorbic acid became greater as the age of meat or storage time after irradiation increased. Ground beef with added ascorbic acid had significantly lower oxidation‐reduction potential than the control (P < 0.05), and the low oxidation‐reduction potential of meat helped maintain the heme pigments in reduced form. Sesamol +α‐tocopherol had no effect in stabilizing color of irradiated beef.     

Effects of succinate on ground beef color and premature browning

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of succinate on raw and cooked ground beef color. Chubs (n=10) were divided in half and assigned to either succinate (final w/w concentration of 2.5%) or distilled water. Patties (n=14 per chub half) were assigned to initial day 0 color and each of 6 treatment combinations, created by crossing 3 packaging types (vacuum, high-oxygen/80% O(2), and PVC) with 2 storage times (days 1 and 3). After storage, patties were cooked to either 66 °C or 71 °C. Succinate increased (P<0.05) ground beef pH and metmyoglobin reducing activity but had no effect (P>0.05) on raw a* and chroma values. Moreover, succinate decreased (P<0.05) raw L* values, lipid oxidation, and premature browning for patties packaged in PVC and high-oxygen. Succinate may increase cooked patty redness via its influence on meat pH.     

Reduction of microorganisms in ground beef using multiple intervention technology

The effectiveness of multiple antimicrobial interventions on ground beef microbial, instrumental color and sensory characteristics through display was studied. Beef trimmings were inoculated with Escherichia coli (EC) and Salmonella typhimurium (ST) then treated with either: (1) 5% acetic acid followed by 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride (AC); (2) 200 ppm chlorine dioxide followed by 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride (CC); (3) 0.5% cetylpyridinium chloride followed by 10% trisodium phosphate (CT); or (4) control (C). Trimmings were ground, packaged and sampled through display for EC, ST, coliforms (CO), aerobic plate count (APC), and sensory color and odor characteristics. All treatments reduced (P<0.05) all bacterial types monitored through display. Ground beef from the CC treatment was similar (P>0.05) in redness (a*) to C. The CT treatment remained (P<0.05) redder (a*) in color, contained more (P<0.05) oxymyoglobin and had less (P<0.05) overall, worst point and percentage discoloration than C by day 7 of display.