The effect of ionising radiation on the colour of beef, pork and lamb

The effect of irradiation (0 and 5 kGy) of beef, pork and lamb portions in retail overwrap packs and subsequent storage at 4°C was studied in relation to colour changes. The colour of the exterior surface of beef and pork was measured on the same samples on each day of storage for up to 7 days post irradiation. On day 7 the colour of a freshly cut surface was measured. The colour of both the exterior and a freshly cut surface of lamb, in similar retail overwrap packs was measured at 2, 5 and 7 days, post irradiation, different samples being used on each day of measurement. L* values of irradiated beef increased significantly with storage and a* values for unirradiated samples decreased significantly with storage. For lamb there was a general increase in L* and h(o) values and a decrease in a*, b* and C* values with storage. Analyses of the day 7 data showed statistically significant effects for species on all CIELAB parameters. Irradiation resulted in significantly higher hue angle (h(o)) values and the a*, b* and C* values were significantly higher on the exterior than freshly cut surface. There were a number of statistically significant 2 factor and 3 factor interactions. The role of formation of a carboxyhaem pigment in the colour of irradiated meat is discussed. The problem of interpretation of pigment changes from CIELAB values is highlighted.     

The use of discriminant analysis for the interpretation of the reflectance spectra of irradiated porcine M. longissimus dorsi

Slices of porcine M. longissimus dorsi were packed in overwrap packs and subjected to irradiation (0 and 5 kGy) and then stored for 7 days at 4°C. Reflectance spectra were measured on the outside surface and a freshly cut surface at 7 days post irradiation. The reflectance spectra were transformed to reflex attenuance, k/s and first and second difference spectra and subjected to discriminant analysis. Using discriminant analysis it was possible to establish a calibration equation to discriminate between the spectra of irradiated and unirradiated pork for both the outside and the inside surface. When the calibration model was used to predict the classification of new samples a 100% correct grouping was obtained for the freshly cut surface, however, for the outside surface the classification ranged from 87 to 100% correct depending on the mathematical transformation of the reflectance spectra. This shows the potential of colour measurements as a possible rapid initial screening test for the identification of irradiated pork. Evaluation of the first difference spectra to identify peak positions showed significant differences in peak positions between irradiated and unirradiated pork. The position of the peaks in the irradiated sample is discussed as lending support to the hypothesis of the carboxyhaem form as the irradiated pigment.     

Cholesterol oxidation products in irradiated raw meat with different packaging and storage time

The effect of irradiation and packaging conditions on the formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) as well as lipid oxidation products was determined in raw turkey leg, beef, and pork loin meat during 7 days of storage. Ground turkey leg, beef, and pork loin muscles were prepared as patties. The patties were individually packaged either in oxygen-permeable or impermeable bags, irradiated at 0 or 4.5 kGy using a Linear Accelerator, and stored at 4°C. The COPs such as 7-hydroxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, and 7-ketocholesterol were detected in fresh raw meats at 0 day at the level of 10.9 to 49.2 μg/g lipid. After 7 days of storage, other COPs such as epoxides, 20-hyroxycholesterol, and choletanetriol were formed in mainly aerobically packaged and irradiated raw meats. Packaging effect was more crucial on the cholesterol and lipid oxidation than irradiation. In aerobically packaged and irradiated meats, turkey leg muscles had higher COPs value than beef or pork did. COPs and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values had a strongly positive correlation in turkey leg and pork. But, cholesterol oxidation in beef proceeded in irradiated and aerobically stored samples despite of its low level of TBARS value.     

Quality characteristics of irradiated turkey breast rolls formulated with plum extract

The effects of adding 1%, 2% and 3% plum extract on the quality characteristics of vacuum-packaged, irradiated ready-to-eat turkey breast rolls were determined. Turkey breast rolls were sliced, packaged and irradiated at 0 or 3 kGy using a Linear Accelerator. Lipid oxidation, volatile profiles, color, texture, proximate analysis and sensory characteristics of sliced turkey breast rolls were determined at 0 and 7 days of storage. Addition of plum extract had no detectable effect on the proximate analysis of turkey breast rolls. Plum extract increased a* and b* values, and decreased L* value of turkey breast rolls due to the original color of plum extract. Addition of >2% plum extract to turkey breast rolls was effective in controlling lipid oxidation of irradiated meat and the production of aldehydes (hexanal, heptanal, octanal, and nonanal) in non-irradiated meat at Day 0. Texture of turkey breast rolls was not influenced, but juiciness was increased by plum extract. Therefore, addition of 3% or higher of plum extract is recommended to improve mouth-feel and antioxidant effect in irradiated turkey breast rolls. However, the color of turkey breast rolls with 3% plum extract was dark and might not be appealing to consumers.     

Raw-meat packaging and storage affect the color and odor of irradiated broiler breast fillets after cooking

Raw breast fillets were divided into two groups and either vacuum or aerobically packaged. The fillets in each group were subdivided equally into two groups and then irradiated at 0 or 3 kGy using a Linear Accelerator. After 0, 3 and 7 days of storage at 4?°C, fillets were cooked in an 85?°C water bath (cook-in-bag) to an internal temperature of 74?°C. Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of raw fillets was measured before cooking, and color and sensory characteristics were analyzed after cooking. Irradiation decreased the ORP of meat, but the potential in aerobically packaged fillets increased during storage. After cooking, color a*-value of irradiated fillets was higher than that of the non-irradiated. Irradiation of raw meat also changed color L* and b* values after cooking. Aerobic storage reduced the redness of cooked meat induced by irradiation. Irradiated raw broiler fillets stored for 0 day and 3 day under aerobic conditions before cooking produced a oxidized chicken-like odor. The odor, however, disappeared after 7 days of storage under aerobic conditions before cooking. For raw broiler samples stored under vacuum conditions, significant differences in color and odor between irradiated and non-irradiated fillets remained throughout the 7-day storage period after cooking. Irradiation had only a minor influence on lipid oxidation of raw breast fillets as indicated by low TBARS values. This study indicates that the effect of irradiation on color and odor of broiler breast fillets after cooking can be reduced significantly through shelf-display of raw fillets under aerobic conditions. Storage under vacuum conditions before cooking is not effective in reducing irradiation-induced changes in the color and odor of breast fillet after cooking.     

Effect of dietary vitamin E and irradiation on lipid oxidation, color, and volatiles of fresh and previously frozen turkey breast patties

Turkey breast meat patties, prepared from the turkeys fed diets containing 0, 50, 100, or 200 IU of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate (TA) per kg diet from 84 to 112 days of age, were aerobically packaged and irradiated at 0, 1.5, or 2.5 kGy. When dietary TA was increased from 0 to 200 IU/kg diet, plasma and muscle vitamin E levels increased by 5- and 4-fold, respectively. Dietary TA at 100 IU/kg diet significantly improved the storage stability of turkey breast, and it was more distinct in irradiated than nonirradiated meats. Both irradiation and dietary TA increased a*-values of turkey breast meat, but irradiation had a stronger impact. The redness of meat decreased during the 7-day storage, but irradiated meat maintained redder color than nonirradiated. Irradiated meat produced more sulfur volatiles and aldehydes than nonirradiated meats, and dietary TA effectively reduced these compounds during storage. The effects of dietary TA on the reduction of off-odor volatiles were more distinct in previously frozen-stored meats than in fresh meats.     

Color Characteristics of Irradiated Aerobically Packaged Pork, Beef, and Turkey

Color changes in irradiated meat were species-dependent. Irradiated pork and beef became less red as a result of irradiation and display time. The redness values of turkey increased after irradiation but decreased during display time. The yellowness of the irradiated samples, for all species, increased as a result of irradiation and display. Visual evaluation of irradiated pork and beef indicated an increase in brownness, whereas turkey increased in redness as dose increased. The surface color of irradiated pork became less uniform than unirradiated pork. Reflectance spectra indicated that irradiation induced a metmyoglobin-like pigment in pork and beef, whereas the pigment in turkey was unchanged.     

Effect of gamma irradiation on the texture and microstructure of chicken breast meat

This study investigated the textural and microstructural properties of chicken breast meat exposed to gamma irradiation ((60)Cobalt) and stored at 4?°C. Textural properties of the irradiated (n=27) and unirradiated chicken breasts (control) were determined by measuring shear force and cooking loss at day 0 and at 2-day intervals for a 14-day refrigerated storage period. In addition, microstructural changes of the irradiated and unirradiated chicken breasts were compared. Irradiated chicken breasts had more cooking loss and higher (P<0.0001) shear force than unirradiated chicken breasts. Transmission electron microscopy showed significant differences (P<0.0001) in size of myofibril units (sarcomeres) between irradiated and unirradiated breast. Shrinkage in sarcomere width (myofibril diameter) and disruption of myofibrils in irradiated breast meat were also noticed when compared with unirradiated breast meat.     

Effect of low dose gamma radiation on lipids in five different meats

Five types of meats were irradiated by gamma radiation up to a dose of 10 kGy. The m. longissimus dorsi from pork, lamb and beef was irradiated as well as turkey leg and turkey breast muscle. After irradiation, the lipids were extracted from the muscles to ascertain the effect of irradiation. Peroxide and iodine values along with malonaldehyde concentration were used to assess any damage made to the lipids, and to note any significant differences in these compounds due to the type of muscle tissue. Peroxide and iodine values showed that at low irradiation dose, <10 kGy, there was no significant change in any of the meat lipids. Malonaldehyde concentration changed significantly at the micromolar level due to irradiation dose, but only in turkey breast muscle.     

Combination of aerobic and vacuum packaging to control lipid oxidation and off-odor volatiles of irradiated raw turkey breast

Effects of the combination of aerobic and anaerobic packaging on color, lipid oxidation, and volatile production were determined to establish a modified packaging method to control quality changes in irradiated raw turkey meat. Lipid oxidation was the major problem with aerobically packaged irradiated turkey breast, while retaining characteristic irradiation off-odor volatiles such as dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide was the concern for vacuum-packaged breast during the 10-day refrigerated storage. Vacuum packaging of aerobically packaged irradiated turkey breast meat at 1 or 3 days of storage lowered the amounts of S-volatiles and lipid oxidation products compared with vacuum- and aerobically packaged meats, respectively. Irradiation increased the a-value of raw turkey breast, but exposing the irradiated meat to aerobic conditions alleviated the intensity of redness.     

Color Characteristics of Irradiated Vacuum-Packaged Pork, Beef, and Turkey

Changes in color of irradiated meat were observed to be species-dependent. Irradiated pork and turkey became redder due to irradiation but irradiated beef a* values decreased and yellowness increased with dose and storage time. The extent of color change was irradiation dose-dependent and was not related to myoglobin concentration. Visual evaluation indicated pork and turkey increased in red ness whereas beef decreased in redness as dose levels increased. Reflectance spectra showed that irradiation induced an oxymyoglobin-like pigment in pork and that both oxymyoglobin and metmyoglobin developed in beef as a result of irradiation.     

Use of esr spectroscopy for the detection of irradiated whiting (Merlangius merlangus)

Previously frozen whiting were thawed overnight and irradiated the following day with doses of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 kGy, with four replicates per treatment. Four unirradiated whiting were used as controls. The fins, scales and vertebrae were removed from each fish and freeze dried prior to determination of the free radical concentration using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The spectra which were derived from each of the components could be used to qualitatively detect irradiation. The signal strength increased significantly with increasing irradiation dose for both the vertebrae and fins although the response was more significant for the vertebrae. Thus the technique has potential for the quantification of the irradiation dose received. A further 20 defrosted whiting were irradiated at 5 kGy and an additional four served as unirradiated controls. After irradiation, the samples were stored in four groups each containing one control and five irradiated samples and analysed after storage periods of 0, 7, 14 and 21 days at 3±1°C. This simulates normal storage conditions for fresh fish. The signal from irradiated, freeze dried, ground vertebrae did not change significantly as storage time increased.     

Carbon monoxide-heme pigment is responsible for the pink color in irradiated raw turkey breast meat

Turkey breast muscles were aerobically or vacuum packaged, irradiated at 0, 2.5, or 5.0 kGy using a Linear Accelerator (electron beam), and stored at 4°C. The CIE color values, reflectance scan, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), production of gaseous compounds, and lipid oxidation of samples were determined at 0, 1, and 2 weeks of storage. Absorption spectra of sample drips were determined at 1 week of storage. Irradiation increased the a-value of both aerobically and vacuum-packaged turkey breast, but vacuum-packaged meat had stronger intensity than the aerobically packaged. The increased redness in vacuum-packaged meat was stable during the 2 weeks of storage. The production of CO in meat, which can bind to myoglobin as a sixth ligand, was proportional to irradiation dose. The ORP was decreased by irradiation, but was increased during storage. The ORP and lipid oxidation values were lower in vacuum-packaged than those in aerobically packaged turkey breast. Therefore, increased a-values in irradiated turkey breast should be caused by the decreased ORP and heme pigment-CO ligand formation. The absorption spectra of meat drip also showed that the peak wavelengths of irradiated turkey breast were similar to that of the CO-myoglobin.     

Effect of irradiation on the quality of turkey ham during storage

Effect of electron-beam irradiation on the quality of ready-to-eat (RTE) turkey ham was studied. Turkey hams were purchased from local stores and sliced into 0.5 cm-thick pieces and vacuum packaged. The ham samples were randomly separated into three groups and irradiated at 0, 1, or 2 kGy, and stored at 4?°C for up to 14 days. Volatiles, color, TBARS values and sensory characteristics were determined to compare the effect of irradiation and storage on the quality of RTE turkey ham. Irradiation had little effects on color and TBARS values of RTE turkey hams. Sensory analysis indicated that sulfury odor increased as irradiation dose increased, and the contents of sulfur compounds in irradiated RTE turkey hams were higher (P <0.05) than those in nonirradiated samples. Irradiation increased (P <0.05) the production of acetaldehyde, which could be related to a metal-like flavor in irradiated hams. However, overall quality changes in RTE turkey hams by irradiation up to 2 kGy were minor.     

The effect of dietary α-tocopherol supplementation and antioxidant spraying on colour stability and lipid oxidation of turkey meat

Vitamin E was supplemented in the diet (250 mg kg^?1) of turkeys or sprayed directly on turkey meat. Turkey breast muscles were cut into 1.5 cm slices, wrapped with oxygen-permeable film and stored at 2–4°C for 1 week. Colour coordinates (L*, a*, b*), pH and reflectance values between 630 and 580 nm were determined at various times post mortem, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances) values and vitamin E content were assessed immediately after slaughter and at 7 days post mortem for vitamin E-supplemented, sprayed and control groups. Vitamin E supplementation or antioxidant spraying resulted in a lower myoglobin oxidation (P < 0.05) and a higher a* value at day 2, but not thereafter. No differences in TBARS values and ultimate pH were detected. When peroxidation was induced experimentally by addition of an activated mixture, vitamin E supplemented or antioxidant-sprayed samples exhibited lower TBARS values than the controls. Vitamin E supplementation in the diet or antioxidant spraying of meat produced a temporary delay in the rate of discoloration of turkey meat.     

Influence of turkey meat on residual nitrite in cured meat products

A response surface experimental design was employed to estimate residual nitrite level at various initial nitrite concentrations, percent turkey meat in the formula, and heat quantity (F) values using a typical wiener as the test system. Pork and mechanically separated turkey were used as the meat ingredients. Residual nitrite and pH were measured at day 1, 7 days, 14 days, and 49 days after processing. Protein, fat, salt, moisture, and CIE (L*a*b*) color values were also determined. Results showed that the effect of turkey meat on residual nitrite level was significant (P < 0.01). An increased amount of turkey meat in the formula resulted in lower residual nitrite levels at a fixed pH. The residual nitrite level was initially proportional to initial nitrite concentration, but it became a nonsignificant factor during longer storage time. Differences in heat quantity had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on residual nitrite level initially. Greater heat quantity decreased residual nitrite level in finished cured meat products at a fixed pH. However, this effect became nonsignificant during longer storage. Reduction of residual nitrite in wieners because of turkey meat addition at a fixed pH was due to characteristics of the turkey tissue, but the mechanism of action remains unknown. It was also established that commercial wieners had a higher pH if poultry meat was included in the formulation.     

Effect of dietary α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation on α-tocopherol distribution in raw turkey muscles and its effect on the storage stability of cooked turkey meat

Day-old turkey chicks (n = 99) were divided at random into three groups (n = 33) and fed diets containing 20 (E20), 300 (E300) and 600 (E600) mg all-rac-α-tocopheryl acetate per kg feed per day for 21 weeks prior to slaughter. After slaughter, breasts and legs were removed and examined for α-tocopherol content. Breast muscle from birds fed the three diets was oven cooked, cooled, sliced and overwrapped. The oxidative and colour stability of the slices was examined. Mean α-tocopherol levels in turkey muscle were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the E300 and E600 groups compared to the control group fed the E20 diet. α-Tocopherol levels in the E300 and E600 groups showed that concentrations in leg muscle were significantly (p <0.05) higher than in breast muscle. α-Tocopherol levels in leg and breast muscles from birds fed E20 and E600 diets decreased significantly (p < 0.05) during 12 months of frozen (-20 °C) storage. TBARS numbers for breast slices from all three dietary groups, cooked both 24 hr after slaughter and following frozen (-20 °C × 11 months) storage, increased during refrigerated (4 °C) display for 10 days. TBARS numbers for slices produced from meat previously held in frozen storage increased more rapidly than those for meat cooked following slaughter. In both cases, E300 and E600 diets significantly (p < 0.05) suppressed lipid oxidation compared to E20 samples. In general, Hunter a values for meat slices from turkeys fed the E300 and E600 diets were higher than those for meat slices from turkeys fed the E20 diet.     

Effects of Electron Beam Irradiation and Antimicrobials on the Volatiles, Color, and Texture of Ready-to-eat Turkey Breast Roll

ABSTRACT: Breast rolls with 6 antimicrobial additive treatments—no preservatives (control), 0.1% potassium benzoate (PB), 2% sodium lactate (SL), 0.1% potassium benzoate plus 2% sodium lactate (PB + SL), 2% sodium lactate plus 0.1% sodium diacetate (SL + SDA), and 0.1% potassum benzoate, 2% sodium lactate, and 0.1% sodium diacetate (PB + SL + SDA)—were prepared. Samples were irradiated at 0, 1.0, or 2.0 kGy, and then the quality characteristics of turkey rolls were analyzed. Adding 2% SL increased the hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, and resilience of breast rolls. Addition of PB or SDA, and irradiation had no significant effect on texture. Adding 2% SL affected color values. The color a * and b * values of turkey rolls with 2% SL added were significantly lower than those of the control, and this difference was maintained after irradiation and during storage. No difference in color and texture was observed between turkey rolls added with SL and those added with SL + PB + SDA. Breast rolls containing antimicrobials had more lipid oxidation than control. Irradiation and storage slightly enhanced lipid oxidation, although the overall lipid oxidation was very low. Irradiation promoted the formation of dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide. Adding PB in breast rolls greatly increased the formation of benzene during irradiation, whereas other antimicrobial additives had no significant effects on volatiles.     

Effect of irradiation and packaging conditions after cooking on the formation of cholesterol and lipid oxidation products in meats during storage

The effect of irradiation and packaging conditions on the content of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) and lipid oxidation in cooked turkey, beef, and pork during storage was studied. Ground turkey leg, beef, and pork were cooked, packaged either in oxygen-permeable or oxygen-impermeable bags, and irradiated at 0 or 4.5 kGy. Lipid oxidation and COPs were determined after 0 and 7 days of storage at 4°C. Packaging of cooked meat was more important than irradiation in developing COPs and lipid oxidation in cooked meats during storage. 7-Hydroxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, β-epoxide, and 7-ketocholesterol were among the major COPs formed in cooked turkey, beef, and pork after storage, and their amounts increased dramatically during the 7-day storage in aerobic conditions. Irradiation had no significant effect on the amounts of any of the COPs found in cooked turkey and beef, but increased (P<0.05) the amounts of - plus 7β-hydroxycholesterol, β-epoxide, 7-ketocholesterol, and total COPs in aerobically packaged cooked pork. The amounts of COPs and lipid oxidation products (TBARS) closely related to the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids in meat. The results indicated that the composition of fats in meat is important on the oxidation rates of lipids and cholesterol, and packaging is far more important than irradiation in the formation of COPs and lipid oxidation in cooked meat.     

Post-mortem changes in myofibrillar proteins of breast and leg muscles from broilers,spent hens and Taiwanese Country Chickens

Post mortem ageing at 4°C was studied in the breast and leg muscles from broilers, White Leghorn spent hens and Taiwanese Country Chickens (TCC). Purified myofibrils were prepared from muscles after 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days of post mortem storage at 4°C. SDS-PAGE was used to examine the changes in myofibrillar proteins of the muscles. Results showed that 30 kDa components appealed earlier in the breast muscles than in the leg muscles and in the order: broiler, TCC, and spent hen. The intensity of 30 kDa band increased with post mortem time. In the breast muscles, a decrease in the intensity of the α-actinin band could be observed at 1 day post mortem in broilers and TCC and at 3 days post mortem in spent hens. This decrease, however, could not be found in the leg samples until 5 or 7 day post mortem. Titin 1 band disappeared within 3 day post mortem in the breast samples but within 5 days in the leg samples. Similar results could be observed in the degradation of nebulin although traces of nebulin remained in the teg muscles of TCC after 7 days post mortem.