Effects of red-wine grape pomace on the quality and sensory attributes of beef hamburger patty

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of red-wine grape pomaces on the quality and sensory attributes of beef hamburger patties. Both phenolic content and antioxidant activity were assessed using Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon pomaces. Following the assessment, hamburger patties were prepared with Merlot pomace at 0%, 2% and 4% for the patty quality and sensory attributes. Grape seeds possessed significantly higher phenolics and antioxidant activities over the seedless pomace (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was found for phenolics and antioxidant activities within the seeds and seedless pomaces. The patty pH decreased as the pomace was added for 2% and 4%. Colour values (L*, a* and b*) of patties lowered as the pomace was added. Allo-Kramer shear force and hardness values increased while cooking yield decreased (P < 0.05) with the addition of pomace. No significant difference between control and Merlot patties was found for flavour, juiciness and colour, whereas lower sensory attributes were observed for texture, taste and overall acceptability. It is observed that the addition of fermented red-wine grape pomace provides hamburger patties with health promoting factors such as antioxidant and other functional components, but it also provided darker, sourer and lower cooking yield.     

Sensory Properties and Cooking Losses of Beef/Pork Hamburger Patties

Seventeen beef and pork blends were evaluated for palatability characteristics, color, appearance acceptability and cooking losses. Cooking losses were not significantly different among blends. Both raw patty color and appearance acceptability were significantly affected by fat and lean source. Increasing pork content changed raw patty color from dark red to pale grayish-pink and decreased appearance acceptability. Patties having high pork content appeared fatter although fat content of blends was not different. Increasing pork fat content improved patty tenderness. Juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptability were no significantly affected by lean or fat source. Results indicate beef/pork blends with 50% or more beef equal all-beef patties in palatability traits and cooking losses.     

Double-sided pan-frying of unfrozen/frozen hamburgers for microbial safety using modelling and simulation

The predictive mathematical heat and mass (water and fat) transfer models for the double-sided pan-frying of unfrozen and frozen hamburger patties were developed and validated against experimental data. The simulation results demonstrated the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria innocua, and Salmonella serotypes within patties during cooking. The effects of various patty thickness and pan temperature on safe process time were analyzed. For a safe patty, double-sided pan-frying with 160 °C pan temperature is recommended due to its faster cooking and better microbial safety. The cooking times for double-sided pan-frying of frozen and unfrozen patties are approximately 293 and 115 s, respectively. The increase in heating temperature resulted in higher rates of patty centre temperature increase and water and fat losses, and decreased the process time for 12 log reductions of microorganisms. An increase in the thickness of the patty resulted in an increased process time.     

Fatty Acid Composition and Caloric Value of Ground Beef Containing Low Levels of Fat

Ground beef patties containing five different levels of fat – 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25%– were cooked by boiling, browning, pan-frying, microwaving, roasting or broiling. Proximate composition, fat retention, energy content (kcal/100g), and fatty acid composition of raw and cooked patties were examined. Percentage fat retention decreased as fat content of the raw patty increased. Microwaving to “well done” and boiling resulted in ground beef with less fat than other methods of cooking at the higher fat levels. The proportion of fatty acids changed very little with increasing fat percentage and because of cooking method.     

Sensory, Shear, and Cooking Properties of Lower-Fat Beef Patties Made with Inner Pea Fiber

Lower fat (10% and 14%) ground beef patties containing inner pea fiber as dry powder or as part of a high fat mixture were compared to all‐beef patties (10%, 14%, and 18% fat). Patties processed with pea fiber had improved tenderness and cooking yields and showed less change in thickness during cooking, but required longer cooking times to reach 71 °C compared to all‐beef controls. Beef flavor intensity of pea fiber patties did not differ from 10% and 14% fat all‐beef patties. Different forms of pea fiber usage produced similar patty properties. Use of inner pea fiber in lower fat beef patties improved tenderness and cooking yield, without negative effects on juiciness and flavor.     

Enhancement of the nutritional status of beef patties by adding flaxseed flour

Flaxseed flour was used as a functional ingredient in the production of beef patties. Beef patties were produced with five different formulations; the addition of 3%, 6%, 9%, 12% and 15% flaxseed flour. Control samples were formulated with 10% and 20% fat addition. Raw and cooked beef patties were analyzed for moisture, protein, fat, ash, pH, color parameters and fatty acid profiles. Beef patties were evaluated for cooking loss and sensory properties. Fat and ash content of raw patties increased, while moisture and protein content decreased with increased flaxseed flour. The same trend (except fat content) was also observed after cooking. The addition of flaxseed flour did not affect pH values of raw and cooked beef patties. The addition of flaxseed flour improved the cooking loss but, increased the energy value (as kcal/100 g). L and a values of raw beef patties containing flaxseed flour were close to controls with 10% fat. α-linolenic acid content of raw and cooked beef patties increased as the level of flaxseed flour increased. The PUFA/SFA ratio increased from 0.04 in the control with 10% fat to 0.62 in the raw beef patties with 15% flaxseed flour. The n-6/n-3 ratio decreased from 5.76 in the control with 10% fat to 0.36 in the raw beef patties with 15% flaxseed flour. The nutritional status of beef patties was enhanced with minimal composition and sensory changes with 3% or 6% flaxseed flour addition.     

MODIFIED PREGELATINIZED POTATO STARCH IN LOW-FAT GROUND BEEF PATTIES

Effects of modified pregelatinized potato starch (MPPS) in 5 and 20% fat ground beef patties were evaluated. In formulas containing starch, MPPS comprised 3.0% and added water 5.0% of the raw mixture. Use of 20% rather than 5% fat in the ground beef improved sensory tenderness measured early in chewing, while lowering many Instron measurements. The 20% fat patties had more intense beef flavor. MPPS increased tenderness, but reduced juiciness and beef flavor. The addition (1% of formulation) of concentrated butter flavor to ground beef with MPPS produced beef flavor equivalent to all-beef patties. The use of MPPS increased cooking yields and moisture content following cooking and reduced fat retention of 20% patties. MPPS increased heating rate while retaining substantial moisture during cooking. Inclusion of MPPS in beef patty formulations offers improvements in tenderness and cooking yield, while reducing fat retention during cooking.     

Use of electrical stimulation, hot processing and carrageenan for processing low-fat ground beef patties

Three studies were conducted to determine the effects of electrical stimulation, hot processing and carrageenan usage on sensory, shear force and cooking properties of low-fat (5, 10%) beef patties. The right or left sides of beef carcasses assigned to electrical stimulation (ES) received 600 V pulsating current for 120 s. Non-stimulated (NS) sides were also included for comparisons. Sides subjected to hot processing (HP) were boned 90 min post-exsanguination. Cold processing (CP) was initiated 48 h post mortem. Formulations for the manufacture of patties included the use of carrageenan [none, 0.5% iota (ι), 0.5% kappa (κ)]. Patties from NSHP beef had higher pH and cooking yields, less shrink in patty dimensions during cooking and lower shear force values than patties from NSCP controls (P < 0.05). ES improved tenderness and juiciness of CP patties, while ESHP patties exhibited higher cooking yields than NSCP patties. Tenderness was improved in two of the three studies as a result of increasing the fat content from 5 to 10%. Use of ι-carrageenan provided improvements in tenderness and juiciness over patties receiving no carrageenan or κ-carrageenan. Processors should consider HP with 1.0% added salt (improved cooking yields, patty configuration, tenderness) and the use of ι-carrageenan (improved tenderness and juiciness) for low-fat beef patties.     

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG CHEMICAL, COOKING AND COLOR PROPERTIES OF BEEF PATTIES COOKED TO FOUR INTERNAL TEMPERATURES

A study involving five laboratories and nationwide sampling of ground beef was undertaken to determine cooking and color properties of patties cooked to 52.7, 65.6, 71.1 and 79.4C. The design of the study included purchase location (local, distant) and patty handling prior to cooking Pesh, thawed either as patties or bulk ground beef). Purchase location was not a statistically significant influence on cooking and color properties. Patties processed from bulk thawed product had a higher amount of brown cooked color. A strong relationship existed between visual and instrumental measures of red color in cooked patties. However, correlations among other cooking properties were low. Patties with higher fat content were associated with shorter cooking times, lower cooking yields and more brown cooked color. The low relationships between raw and cooked patty properties limits the use of raw ground beef properties as predictors of food safety in cooked beef patties. This further supports the use of instant read meat thermometers in cooking beef patties to at least 71C.     

FACTORS AFFECTING COLOR PROPERTIES OF BEEF PATTIES COOKED ON AN OUTDOOR GAS GRILL

Visual and instrumental color properties were obtained on beef patties cooked on an outdoor gas grill. Factors evaluated as to their influence on color were fat content, (20–28% vs 6–10%) patty handling prior to cooking (fresh, thawed either as patties or bulk ground beef), endpoint in cooking (57, 66, 71C, slit in outer edge of patty during cooking showing brown color), lighting conditions and evaluation time post-cooking. Factors resulting in less pink/red color and more brown color in cooked patties were (1) higher fat content, (2) cooking bulk frozen, thawed, then pattied product, (3) higher endpoint temperature and longer time postcooking before evaluation. Termination of cooking by observing brown color in slits in patties cooked on a gas grill was not synonymous with a safe internal temperature.     

EFFECTS OF HOT PROCESSING, PATTY FORMATION BEFORE OR AFTER FREEZING-THAWING AND SOY USAGE ON VARIOUS PROPERTIES OF LOW-FAT GROUND BEEF

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of combinations of boning temperature (hot = HP, cold = CP), time when patties were processed (immediately after grinding and before freezing = BF; after freezing and thawing of bulk ground beef = AF), and use of texturized soy concentrate (% usage = 0 or 20% substitution, rehydrated either in a ratio of 2.6:1 or 1.5:1) on sensory, Instron and cooking properties of ground beef patties. With the exception of HP -0% soy patties, both sensory and instrumental measures of tenderness revealed AF patties to be more tender than BF patties. BF patties received higher juiciness scores and cooking yields than AF patties. Soy usage reduced Instron values, juiciness scores, cooking loss, patty shrinkage during cooking and beef flavor intensity scores. These results indicate that the use of HP beef in combination with soy should not detrimentally affect ground beef as used in the school lunch program.     

Effect of varying salt and fat levels on the sensory quality of beef patties

The interactive effects of varying levels of salt and fat on the sensory and physiochemical properties of beef patties were investigated. Twenty beef patties with varying levels of fat (30% 40% 50% 60% w/w) and salt (0.5%, 0.75% 1.0% 1.25% 1.5% w/w) were manufactured. All samples were assessed instrumentally for colour, moisture, fat, cooking loss and texture profile analysis. Sensory consumer evaluation was conducted using 25 consumers. The consumers rated each coded product, in duplicate, in terms of colour, texture, tenderness, juiciness, salt, taste, meat flavour, off flavour and overall acceptability. The data indicate that the most consumer acceptable beef patty was that containing 40% fat with a salt level of 1%. This is a 20% decrease in fat and a 50% decrease in salt levels when compared to commercial patties available in Ireland and the UK.     

Heating Surface Temperature and Contact-Heat Transfer Coefficient of A Clam-Shell Grill

The objective of this study was to determine the heating rate, characteristics of temperature distribution and change on heating surfaces, and contact-heat transfer coefficient of a clam-shell-grill under conditions of commercial operational cooking. The information obtained will contribute to improved cooking process specifications and equipment design that ensure the quality and safety of cooked patties. We found that grill surface temperatures dropped to 113 °C (the lowest) from a preset temperature of 177 °C after the frozen patties were placed on the grill surface. The temperature of the patties recovered to only between 129.4 and 144.5 °C at the six locations at the end of cooking process. The maximum temperature difference among the six locations was about 15 °C during most of the cooking period. It is important that grill operators or manufacturers map the temperature distribution on grill heating surface before cooking to determine the sequence of hamburger patty placement and removal and minimize temperature variation in cooked patties. The contact-heat transfer coefficient between the grill and hamburger patty surfaces varied with heating temperature and time during the cooking process. The highest contact heat transfer coefficient value obtained was 832 W/m² °C.     

Evaluation of transglutaminase and caseinate for a novel formulation of beef patties enriched in healthier lipid and dietary fiber

The food intake in developed countries is characterized by a deficient consumption of n-3 fatty acids and fiber. In this study, modified beef patties enriched with polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids and fiber were developed. The texture profile was compared to traditional beef patties, showing lower values for all parameters except springiness. To improve its texture, pretreatments using transglutaminase (TG) and sodium caseinate (C) were assayed by response surface methodology. Mathematical models were obtained and used to determine the effect of TG, C, temperature and time of pretreatment on the texture of beef patties. The overall optimization indicated that a pretreatment with 0.1 U/g of TG at 40 °C for 17 min allowed to have a traditional texture for beef patties enriched in n-3 PUFAs and fiber. The models showed that the addition of caseinate was not needed. Minimal effects of pretreatment were observed on composition, color and cooking loss of the product.     

RELATIONSHIPS of PHYSICAL PROPERTIES of FAT-SUBSTITUTES, COOKING METHODS and FAT LEVELS WITH QUALITY of GROUND BEEF PATTIES

Ground beef patties containing 2 fat levels (5%, 10%), and 3 fat-substitutes (LeanBind, Rice* Complete 3, and Sta-Slim 171) were processed using 3 cooking methods (microwave, roasting, and pan-frying). Correlation analyses between patty quality and the physical properties of the fat-substitutes, as well as the composition of both raw and cooked patties were conducted. Regression models of patty quality parameters as functions of the physical properties of the fat-substitutes, and as the function of the patty composition were developed. This work demonstrated that the fat-substitutes can be evaluated based on regression models relating patty quality to the physical properties of the fat-substitutes.     

Process optimization and consumer acceptability of salted ground beef patties cooked and held hot in flavored marinade

Food safety is paramount for cooking hamburger. The center must reach 71 °C (or 68 °C for 15 s) to assure destruction of E. coli O157:H7 and other food pathogens. This is difficult to achieve during grilling or frying of thick burgers without overcooking the surface. Thus, the feasibility of partially or completely cooking frozen patties in liquid (93 °C water) together with hot holding in liquid was investigated. Initial studies demonstrated that compared to frying, liquid cooking decreased (P < 0.05) patty diameter (98 compared with 93 mm) and increased (P < 0.05) thickness (18.1 compared with 15.6 mm). Liquid cooked patties had greater weight loss (P < 0.05) immediately after cooking (29 compared with 21%), but reabsorbed moisture and were not different from fried patties after 1 h hot water holding (61 °C). Protein and fat content were not affected by cooking method. However, liquid cooked patties were rated lower (P < 0.05) than fried patties for appearance (5.7 compared with 7.5) and flavor (5.9 compared with 7.5). An 8-member focus group then evaluated methods to improve both appearance and flavor. Salted, grill-marked patties were preferred, and caramel coloring was needed in the marinade to obtain acceptable flavor and color during liquid cooking or hot holding. Patties with 0.75% salt that were grill-marked and then finish-cooked in hot marinade (0.75% salt, 0.3% caramel color) were rated acceptable (P < 0.05) by consumers for up to 4 h hot holding in marinade, with mean hedonic panel ratings > 7.0 (like moderately) for appearance, juiciness, flavor, and texture. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Grill-marked and marinade-cooked ground beef patties reached a safe internal cooking temperature without overcooking the surface. Burgers cooked using this method maintained high consumer acceptability right after cooking and for up to 4 h of hot holding. Consumers and foodservice operations could use this method without specialized equipment, and instead use inexpensive and common equipment such as a soup pot or a restaurant steam table. Use of marinades (salt/caramel color or others) in this cooking and holding method provides a nearly endless culinary flavoring opportunity.     

PROPERTIES OF BEEF PATTIES COOKED TO ELEVATED INTERNAL TEMPERATURES AS A MEANS OF REDUCING PINK COLOR

Effects of cooking to internal temperatures (81–85C) needed to eliminate the pink color which existed at 71C, was evaluated for beef patties from three processors. Tenderness and compositional properties were affected little by the higher temperatures, but lower cooking yields and juiciness scores resulted from cooking to 81–85C rather than 71C. The higher internal temperatures required longer cooking times and produced greater reductions in patty diameter during cooking, but did not affect fat retention. Even though the three formulations were processed to have the same fat content (18%), formulation differences existed in sensory, shear force, cooking, compositional and color properties. Results from this study indicate that if internal patty temperatures higher than 71C are required to eliminate pink color (possibly due to high pH beef), major detrimental changes in patty properties may not result.     

EFFECT OF COOKING OIL TYPE ON FINAL CHOLESTEROL CONTENT AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF GROUND BEEF

The purpose of this study was to compare three oils for extraction of cholesterol when used to cook ground beef and to determine the effect of oil type on fatty acid composition of the ground beef. Ground beef (30 % fat) was cooked in 1 L of corn, canola or palm oil at 100–110C and then rinsed with 500 ml of boiling water, which significantly decreased ether-extractable fat. Control hamburger was skillet-fried without any added oil. Total lipids were extracted and analyzed for fatty acid composition and cholesterol content. Changes in fatty acid composition of residual fat on the meat after cooking reflected those of the oils used for cooking. Cholesterol was significantly lower in all oil-cooked hamburger than in the control. In conclusion, cooking ground beef in any of the three vegetable oils will extract cholesterol, and the lipid remaining after a boiling water rinse will contain fatty acids characteristic of the cooking oil.     

Sodium Alginate Plus Modified Tapioca Starch Improves Properties of Low-Fat Beef Patties

Sodium alginate (A) in combination with modified tapioca starch (T) was evaluated in low-fat beef patties cooked by broiling or grilling to 68 or 74°C. Added water was used with AT formulations at 7% (AT7) or 14% (AT14) levels. In comparisons with all-beef patties (8 and 20% fat), AT provided improvements in tenderness, juiciness and cooking yields without increasing fat retention or affecting beef flavor. In sensory comparisons with 14 commercially processed, low-fat beef patties, AT7 and 14 patties received the highest ratings. Combined use of A and T would provide improved acceptability of low-fat patties over that from using single fat replacers.     

Effects of Electrical Stimulation, Boning Temperature, Formulation and Rate of Freezing on Sensory, Cooking, Chemical and Physical Properties of Ground Beef Patties

The effects of electrical stimulation vs nonstimulation, temperature of boning (hot vs cold), formulation (USDA Choice chucks with USDA Choice plates vs imported cow lean with USDA Choice plates) and rate of freezing (fast = -50°C vs slow = -20°C) were determined on sensory, cooking, chemical, and physical properties of ground beef patties. Sensory panel ratings for tenderness were highest in patties from formulations processed with either nonstimulated beef, hot-boned beef or Choice chucks. The substitution of imported cow lean for Choice chucks generally reduced cooking losses and changes in patty height during cooking. Fat losses during cooking were higher in patties made from electrically stimulated than nonstimulated beef, while moisture losses during cooking were greater for patties from nonstimulated than stimulated beef. Of the factors involved in this study, hot boning produced the most beneficial results in beef patties. Boneless chucks and plates from electrically stimualted Choice carcasses appear to be suitable raw materials for production of ground beef patties.