Quality Characteristics of Broiler Chicken Meat on Salt at Different Temperatures

The aim of this investigation was to compare the quality characteristics and muscle structure of broiler chicken meat stored at different temperatures in the retail market in Oman. The meat quality characteristics of broiler breast meat were analysed. Ten samples were randomly selected from each group of fresh, frozen, and chilled chicken meat. Colour L?, a?, b?, pH, expressed juice, cooking loss, sarcomere length, W-B-shear force and muscle structure (using scanning electron microscopy) were determined. Fresh meat samples had significantly (P < 0.05) lower pH values and lightness L? than those of chilled and frozen samples. The chilled meat samples were significantly (P < 0.05) lighter and had lower shear force values than fresh and frozen samples. Frozen samples had significantly (P < 0.05) higher expressed juice and cooking loss values than either fresh or chilled samples. The pH values of fresh, chilled, and frozen breast samples were related to colour and expressed juice. Electron microscopy demonstrated that the changes in the physical properties of the chilled meat were related to breakdown of the muscle fiber bundles. The quality characteristics of broiler meat from different storage temperatures varied significantly.     

Meat quality,microbiological status and consumer preference of beef gluteus medius aged in a dry ageing bag or vacuum

This study investigated meat quality and consumer preference after ageing beef gluteus medius in a water vapour-permeable dry-ageing bag or in vacuum for 14 days. Higher ageing and trim losses but lower thawing loss, cooking loss and water content were found in samples aged in dry ageing bags compared to those aged in vacuum. Samples aged in dry ageing bags had higher total bacteria and yeast counts but lower lactic acid bacteria counts than those aged in vacuum, both before and after trimming. Meat aged in dry ageing bag was more tender and juicier and overall preferred by consumers compared with samples aged in vacuum. Female participants outperformed the males in detecting differences in palatability. No differences were found in pH, smell, shear force, colour, Enterobacteriaceae, and mould counts. Thus, by using a dry ageing bag, it is possible to produce dry-aged meat in a more controlled condition without negative effects on sensory or other quality attributes.     

A comparative study of beef quality after ageing longissimus muscle using a dry ageing bag,traditional dry ageing or vacuum package ageing

The objective of this study was to investigate beef quality of longissimus muscle after ageing in dry ageing bags, traditional dry ageing or vacuum for 8 or 19 days. Lower ageing weight loss, odour score and microbial growth were found in meat aged in dry ageing bags than after traditional dry ageing. The sensory panel detected no differences for most of the sensory attributes between samples using the two dry ageing methods, except for the odour of the cutting surface. The dry-aged steaks had more umami and butter fried meat taste compared with vacuum-aged steaks. Ageing time affected most of the sensory traits in this study, which improved as ageing time increased from 8 to 19 days. In a consumer test, meat aged for 21 days in dry ageing bags was preferred than the samples aged in vacuum. This may be due to the higher tenderness and juiciness obtained during storage in dry ageing bags than meat aged in vacuum.     

"Chilled" pork-Part I: Sensory and physico-chemical quality

Chilled meat exportation comprises chilling within 48h post-mortem to temperatures <0°C without freezing and holding under these conditions for several weeks. The effects of this ageing on sensory quality of pork are unknown and hence the objective of this study was to compare the sensory quality of Canadian pork as found in an export (Japan) market and locally. Regardless that the Japanese market's quality criteria were met, pork sorted on-line differed (P<0.05) from that for the domestic market only for lightness, exudate and cooking loss; no differences in intramuscular fat content were observed. Overall, a trained panel scored weaker pork and meat flavours and odours in the export than the domestic pork as a result of either the quality by selection if roasted or the ageing (-1.7°C, 43days exported chilled or 3.1°C, 5days domestic) if grilled or shabu shabu. Grilled pork was also more tender, sweeter and had stronger caramel flavour with the chilled ageing.     

Ageing of large cuts of beef loin in vacuum or high oxygen modified atmosphere – Effect on shear force,calpain activity,desmin degradation and protein oxidation

The aim was to investigate the effect of ageing large beef cuts directly in high oxygen modified atmosphere (MA) and how ageing time in vacuum influence meat quality when followed by retail packaging in high oxygen MA. Large cuts (10 cm long) of beef loin (LD) were aged for up to 25 days postmortem in different ageing systems at 4 °C. Ageing solely in high oxygen modified atmosphere (MA, 80% O₂ + 20% CO₂) for 5 or 10 days and ageing in vacuum for 5 or 15 days followed by high oxygen MA for 5 or 10 days were compared with ageing in vacuum for 5, 15 and 25 days. Warner–Bratzler shear force, purge and cooking losses, calpain activity and desmin and carbonyl contents were measured. Shear force decreased to the same level when ageing this large beef cut solely in high oxygen MA for 5 or 10 days as when ageing in vacuum. The activity of μ-calpain disappeared, the activity of m-calpain decreased and purge loss increased between 5 and 10 days, but cooking loss and the contents of desmin and carbonyls were unaffected. The ageing time in vacuum before packaging of this large beef cut in high oxygen MA did not affect the ultimate shear force. The m-calpain activity decreased and the content of carbonyls increased compared with solely in vacuum after 15 days of total ageing, but there was no difference in the content of desmin or cooking loss between these ageing systems at the same ageing time.     

Injection of sodium chloride, sodium tripolyphosphate, and sodium lactate improves Warner-Bratzler shear and sensory characteristics of pre-cooked inside round roasts

Paired inside rounds (n=30 pairs) were removed from randomly selected USDA Select quality grade carcasses to examine the effects of injecting a solution of sodium lactate, sodium tripolyphosphate, and sodium chloride on Warner-Bratzler shear force, cooking loss, lipid oxidation, and sensory characteristics of pre-cooked beef. Injected treatments were more tender (P<0.05) than control products, as measured by Warner-Bratzler shear force and consumer sensory panel ratings. Injected treatments had lower (P<0.01) cooking and re-heating loss percentages when compared to control samples. Lipid oxidation in injected treated samples was significantly reduced as compared to control meat samples. Results of lipid oxidation also revealed that 14-day samples were less (P<0.01) than 0-day samples. Results of this experiment have shown that injection of this solution enhanced sensory panel characteristics, and decreased WBS values and cooking loss.     

“Chilled” pork—Part I: Sensory and physico-chemical quality

Chilled meat exportation comprises chilling within 48 h post-mortem to temperatures < 0 °C without freezing and holding under these conditions for several weeks. The effects of this ageing on sensory quality of pork are unknown and hence the objective of this study was to compare the sensory quality of Canadian pork as found in an export (Japan) market and locally. Regardless that the Japanese market's quality criteria were met, pork sorted on-line differed (P < 0.05) from that for the domestic market only for lightness, exudate and cooking loss; no differences in intramuscular fat content were observed. Overall, a trained panel scored weaker pork and meat flavours and odours in the export than the domestic pork as a result of either the quality by selection if roasted or the ageing (− 1.7 °C, 43 days exported chilled or 3.1 °C, 5 days domestic) if grilled or shabu shabu. Grilled pork was also more tender, sweeter and had stronger caramel flavour with the chilled ageing.     

Boning and Storage Temperature Effects on the Attributes of Soft Jerky and Frozen Cooked Free-flow Mince

Hot or cold boning and frozen or chilled storage of beef for 1 mo had no effect on sensory panel acceptability of soft beef jerky (easier to chew than traditional jerky) processed using a two step drying method and a frozen cooked free-flow mince (ground beef) made from the beef. For jerky, panel scores for texture and overall acceptability decreased with increased peak force and softness scores increased with increased final yield. Sensory panelists disliked the greyish-brown color of the cooked free-flow mince. The most acceptable free-flow mince was produced by cooking Alogs@ to 73°C, then mincing at –6°C. The degree of freeflowness and the amount of fines tended to increase with decreasing mincing temperature.     

Water characteristics in cooked beef as influenced by ageing and high-pressure treatment-an NMR micro imaging study

The water characteristics in cooked pressure-heat treated (45?°C for 45 min prior to pressurisation at 150 MPa for 30 min) and non-pressurised, cooked (control) samples of beef Longissimus aged for 1, 3, 8 or 16 days were studied by nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy. A multi-echo sequence was used to obtain T2 images, and independent of ageing period, the T2 values were found to be lower in pressure-heat treated meat revealing alterations in water characteristics of pressure-treated, cooked meat compared with cooked meat. With increasing ageing duration, the T2 values in both pressure-treated, cooked and cooked meat decreased indicating that the water became more tightly trapped in the protein network. In addition, independent of length of ageing period the relationship between cooking loss in the cooked meat and transverse relaxation differed between non-pressurised and pressure-treated meat, which reveals that the mechanisms changing the water properties in beef during ageing are different from those occuring during pressure-heat treatment of meat.     

Characteristics of restructured beef steak with different proportions of walnut during frozen storage

Physicochemical (thawing loss, cooking loss, surface shrinkage, texture, colour and lipid oxidation) and sensory properties of restructured beef steak with different levels of added walnut (0%, 10% and 20%) were determined at various times during frozen storage up to 128 days. Cooking loss (CL), Kramer shear force (KSF) and binding strength (BS) of restructured beef decreased (P<0.05) as the proportion of walnut increased. Walnut enhanced (P<0.05) lightness and yellowness and reduced (P<0.05) redness. Frozen storage did not affect (P>0.05) CL, KSF and BS of restructured beef steak. Redness decreased (P<0.05) over storage for all samples. Lipid oxidation of restructured beef steak containing walnut was not a limiting factor for frozen stability of meat products. Frozen storage had no effect (P>0.05) on the sensory quality of restructured beef steak.     

SmartStretch™ technology VI. The impact of SmartStretch™ technology on the meat quality of hot-boned beef striploin (m. longissimus lumborum)

The impact of SmartStretch™ technology and ageing (0 or 14 days ageing) on the meat quality traits of m. longissimus lumborum hot-boned from adult cull cattle was assessed. Tenderness, as reflected in reduced shear force measurement, was significantly (P < 0.05) improved in 0 day aged stretched samples over the non stretched samples. After 14 days ageing there was no longer any difference in the tenderness between stretched and non stretched samples and the aged meat was significantly tenderer than either the SmartStretch™ treated or non stretched meat aged for 0 days. Sarcomere length was unchanged by stretching. Presentation traits such as purge loss and fresh colour were unaffected by the stretch treatment, whilst cooking loss was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by stretching and ageing for 14 days.     

Curdlan协同Alcalase嫩化生鲜调理牛肉工艺优化

以新鲜牛肉为原料,分析不同浓度的Curdlan及Alcalase对生鲜调理牛肉剪切力、蒸煮损失及感官品质的影响,并研究该体系下肌浆蛋白质及肌原纤维蛋白质的分解情况,优化生鲜调理牛肉嫩化加工工艺。结果表明:体系中Curdlan对生鲜调理牛肉剪切力、蒸煮损失及感官品质均有显著的影响(P0.05),但是对牛肉中蛋白质无明显的分解作用;Alcalase对肌原纤维蛋白质及肌浆蛋白质有明显的分解作用。另外,不同的Curdlan及Alcalase添加量对生鲜调理牛肉的剪切力、蒸煮损失均有显著的影响(P0.05);并且Curdlan、Alcalase对生鲜调理牛肉感官品质有显著的促进作用;通过响应曲面试验二次回归法优化生鲜调理牛肉工艺,得到工艺条件为Curdlan添加量5.43 mg/g,Alcalase添加量4.29 U/g,腌制时间73.4 h,以该工艺进行验证实验后得到产品剪切力为(0.960±0.006)kg,蒸煮损失为(19.96±0.36)%,感官评分为92.81±0.75,与理论值相比,相对误差小于5%,该工艺准确可靠,可以用于生鲜调理牛肉的嫩化加工处理。     

Fat content has a significant impact on protein oxidation occurred during frozen storage of beef patties

This study examined the relationship between protein and lipid oxidation and the impairment of water holding capacity (WHC), colour and texture after frozen storage (20 weeks/−18 °C) and subsequent processing (cooking, chilled storage) of beef patties with increasing fat content (3, 20 and 35%). Various manifestations of protein oxidation were found to occur during frozen storage and processing of patties including, loss of tryptophan fluorescence, carbonylation and formation of Schiff bases structures (SB). Patties with higher fat content underwent the more intense protein oxidation as assessed by formation of protein carbonyls and SB, highlighting the timely interaction between proteins and oxidizing lipids. Protein oxidation occurred concomitantly with loss of WHC and discolouration of beef patties. Mechanisms and consequences of the chemical modifications induced by oxidative stress in meat proteins are thoroughly discussed.     

原料肉部位对牛干巴肉质特性的影响

选取（30±2） 月龄云岭去势公牛6头,屠宰后经7d低温（0～5 ℃）排酸,精细分割后各取500 g西冷和针扒2 个部位原料肉进行肉质分析。采用腌制、烤干工艺将原料肉加工成牛干巴,测定原料肉和牛干巴水分、粗蛋白、粗脂肪、灰分含量、失水率、蒸煮损失率、pH值、总挥发性盐基氮（total volatile basic nitrogen,TVB-N）含量、亚硝酸盐含量、剪切力、肉色和氨基酸含量。结果表明：西冷和针扒2 个部位原料肉的粗蛋白含量、粗脂肪含量、灰分含量、剪切力和黄度值（b*）差异显著（P＜0.05）,水分含量、失水率、蒸煮损失率和亮度值（L*）、红度值（a*）差异不显著;加工成牛干巴后,2 个部位水分含量、粗脂肪含量、粗蛋白含量、剪切力和L*存在显著差异（P＜0.05）,灰分含量、b*和a*差异不显著,pH值、TVB-N含量、亚硝酸盐含量均在合理范围内;牛干巴氨基酸含量高于原料肉,原料肉总氨基酸（total amino acid,TAA）、必需氨基酸（essential amino acid,EAA）、非必需氨基酸（non-essential amino acid,NEAA）含量差异均不显著,牛干巴TAA、EAA、NEAA含量均差异显著（P＜0.05）;原料肉西冷的剪切力、肌间脂肪指标均优于针扒,经相同工艺制成牛干巴后,嫩度、脂肪含量受原料肉品质影响较大。     

Influence of freezing and thawing on the hydration characteristics,quality, and consumer acceptance of whole muscle beef injected with solutions of salt and phosphate

Effects of salt/phosphate injection level (112% or 125% pump), salt level (0.5% or 1.5% salt), and freezing/thawing on hydration characteristics, quality, and consumer acceptance of beef semitendinosus were investigated. All enhancement treatments decreased shear force by 25–35%, but negatively affected colour. Increased salt concentration yielded lower purge and cooking losses, and higher water holding capacity. The higher injection level reduced water binding properties, however, the loss in functionality with higher water addition was overcome with increased salt content. Freezing and subsequent thawing was generally detrimental to colour and water binding properties and tended to increase shear force. Freezing and subsequent thawing did not affect fluid release in steaks held for 1 day before analysis, but resulted in decreased water retention in samples held for 7 days. Holding vacuum packaged steaks for 7 days generally increased package purge and negatively affected colour parameters, although water binding characteristics were improved. Consumer panel results demonstrated a negative effect on juiciness and tenderness where meat subject to low salt/high injection was frozen then thawed – the low salt level was insufficient to maintain any positive effect of injection treatment. In general, salt/phosphate injection improved product acceptability and increased willingness to purchase.     

Electrical stimulation - when more is less

This study was conducted to determine whether electrical stimulation per se can be omitted when other electrical inputs to beef carcasses (stunning and immobilisation) are used. In addition, we investigated which sample preparation method at 1 day post mortem (p.m.), cooked fresh, frozen, or after thawing, had the best predictive value for shear force after ageing of the muscle. Beef carcasses were electrically immobilized (75 V, 15 Hz) before and during exsanguination for 20 or 80 s and meat quality characteristics of the longissimus were determined at 1 and 7 days post mortem. Muscles from carcasses receiving the higher electrical input were similar in tenderness at 1 day p.m., but tougher at 7 days p.m. This result could be explained by the effect of muscle shortening and post mortem proteolysis on tenderness. These results indicate that even low electrical input during immobilization can adequately stimulate carcasses and avoid cold shortening. Freezing samples resulted in a considerable improvement in tenderness and cooking samples from the frozen state had the highest predictive value for tenderness after ageing. In a second experiment it was determined that freezing and thawing did not result in appreciable differences in cooking loss or proteolysis. The tenderising effect of freezing may be explained by tissue damage due to ice formation.     

Influence of vacuum or high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging on quality of beef M. longissimus dorsi steaks after different ageing times

The objective of the study was to determine if beef quality parameters differ between steaks in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 80% O₂ and 20% CO₂) and in vacuum packaging. Both M. longissimus dorsi (LD) from ten young bulls were cut in steaks day 3 postmortem and frozen either directly or after storage for 5 or 15 days in MAP and/or vacuum. The parameters studied were Warner Bratzler shear force, colour stability, α-tocopherol content, protein oxidation, water holding capacity and sensory attributes. Steaks stored in MAP had higher shear force than steaks stored in only vacuum at all ageing times. Tenderness and juiciness were negatively affected by storage in MAP. Ageing in MAP induced higher levels of metmyoglobin compared with vacuum ageing. In conclusion, high-oxygen MAP negatively influenced shear force, thawing loss, α-tocopherol content and colour stability, as well as the sensory attributes tenderness, juiciness and to some extent meat flavour.     

Effects of freezing, thawing and storage on some quality factors for portion-size beef cuts

Portion-size beef cuts packaged in oxygen impermeable plastic bags were used to study the effects of rates of freezing and thawing, and storage time and temperature on drip and cooking losses, shear force, destruction of glutathione and accumulation of protein-breakdown products in meat. Portions weighing 150 g or over and frozen in an air-blast at −30°C gave lower losses of drip and lower amounts of nitrogenous constituents in drip than samples weighing less than 150 g or samples frozen in cardboard boxes in still air at −18°C. Freezing and thawing or frozen storage had no significant effect on shear force of meat frozen after ageing. During frozen storage, the destruction of glutathione and accumulation of protein-breakdown products increased, depending directly on storage temperature and time. The results show that a test based on these two biochemical changes would be suitable for assessing the quality of frozen beef.     

Thawing of lamb loin chops in air and CO(2). Effect on colour and drip

Colour retention and drip loss was assessed during retail display for chilled lamb chops displayed fresh or stored in CO(2) for 7 weeks before display, and for chops frozen for various times and thawed in air or CO(2). A sensory panel found fresh lamb chops to have an acceptable display life of 1 day, while chops which had been frozen for 1 day and then thawed lasted 2 days. Holding chops for 7 weeks in a CO(2) atmosphere at - 1·5°C improved display life to 3 days, but frozen chops held for 7 weeks before thawing had deteriorated in colour, and only one group was acceptable on the initial day of display. Initially there were no differences in Hunter L values (brightness) due to treatment, but chilled chops or those frozen for 1 day showed a greater increase in L values by the second day than those frozen for 7 weeks, after which there was no change in brightness. Hunter a values (redness) were higher in chilled chops and those thawed after 1 day's frozen storage than those frozen for 7 weeks before thawing. Hunter b values (yellowness) were greater at all times in chilled chops held for 7 weeks and varied amongst the other treatments. The measured per cent drip from chops frozen for only 1 day was greater on thawing than drip from chops frozen for 7 weeks before thawing. Drip during display, assessed by a sensory panel, increased more in those chops stored either chilled or frozen for 7 weeks before display.     

Changes in pH and water holding properties of Longissimus dorsi muscle during beef ageing

The effects of vacuum packaging, chilling rate (slow or fast), and fat cover thickness (≤ 4 mm or 7–8 mm) on pH and water-holding properties of longissimus dorsi muscle were assessed during beef ageing. The longissimus dorsi muscles were aged on the carcass or in vacuum packaging. Muscle samples were taken on days 0 (24 h post-mortem), 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 to measure these properties. Ageing time significantly influenced muscle pH and cooking loss; however, interaction fat × chill × time affected press juice. The pH was also influenced by vacuum-packaged ageing. Press juice positively correlated with cooking loss and pH.