Potential mechanisms of carbon monoxide and high oxygen packaging in maintaining color stability of different bovine muscles

The objectives were to compare the effects of packaging methods on color stability, metmyoglobin-reducing-activity (MRA), total-reducing-activity and NADH concentration of different bovine muscles and to explore potential mechanisms in the enhanced color stability by carbon monoxide modified atmosphere packaging (CO-MAP, 0.4% CO/30% CO₂/69.6% N₂). Steaks from longissimus lumborum (LL), psoas major (PM) and longissimus thoracis (LT) packaged in CO-MAP, high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (HiOx-MAP, 80% O₂/20% CO₂) or vacuum packaging were stored for 0 day, 4 days, 9 days, and 14 days or stored for 9 days then displayed in air for 0 day, 1 day, or 3 days. The CO-MAP significantly increased red color stability of all muscles, and especially for PM. The PM and LT were more red than LL in CO-MAP, whereas PM had lowest redness in HiOx-MAP. The content of MetMb in CO-MAP was lower than in HiOx-MAP. Steaks in CO-MAP maintained a higher MRA compared with those in HiOx-MAP during storage. After opening packages, the red color of steaks in CO-MAP deteriorated more slowly compared with that of steaks in HiOx-MAP.     

Influence of vacuum skin packaging on color stability of beef longissimus lumborum compared with vacuum and high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging

The objective of this study was to investigate how color stability of beef is affected by vacuum skin packaging (VSP) compared with vacuum packaging (VP) and high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 80% O(2) and 20% CO(2)). Longissimus lumborum muscles were aged in vacuum for 7days and then cut into 2-cm-thick slices and repacked using VSP, VP and MAP for another 7days. Color stability was measured during the next 5days in air and samples for α-tocopherol and NADH analyses were obtained at the beginning and end of aerobic storage. Color stability, α-tocopherol and NADH of steaks were affected by packaging methods and storage time in air (P<0.05). Higher a* value was obtained in VSP on day 5 compared with VP. Steaks packed in VSP had better color stability than in VP and their color was similar to MAP at the end (day 5) of storage.     

Influence of Injection, Packaging, and Storage Conditions on the Quality of Beef and Bison Steaks

The combined effects of injection, packaging (modified atmosphere packaging [MAP] with 70% O₂/ 30% CO₂ and vacuum packaging [VP]), storage temperature (‐1 °C and +4 °C), and storage time on the color, microbial and oxidative stability of beef and bison longissimus lumborum (LL) steaks were investigated. Beef LL steaks in MAP retained their bright red color longer than bison steaks. Bison steaks developed higher 2‐Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) during storage, and this might have influenced the resulting rapid loss of redness from the bloomed meat. Storage at ‐1 °C in MAP provided greater color stability and a longer storage life for both meat species studied. Injection of salt/phosphate had a beneficial effect on the color stability of steaks during retail display; however, this positive effect was more pronounced for bison steaks compared with those of beef. Steaks stored overnight under MAP before retail display maintained the highest a* values for up to 5 d compared with those stored under vacuum. MAP‐OV steaks generally maintained the highest OMB content for up to 5 d during retail display compared with those stored under vacuum. Nevertheless, OMB levels were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in bison steaks compared with those of beef irrespective of packaging treatments. Injected steaks and those stored at ‐1 °C had significantly (P < 0.05) higher OMB levels compared with non‐injected counterparts and those stored at +4 °C, respectively. MAP is an excellent option for short‐term storage due to its positive effects on meat color, but for longer storage, VP may be necessary. Storing meat under vacuum and then placing it under MAP just before retail display might be another option to increase shelf life.     

Effect of lactate-enhancement, modified atmosphere packaging, and muscle source on the internal cooked colour of beef steaks

Earlier studies on lactate-mediated colour stability in beef did not address the possible influence on cooked colour. Our objective was to examine the effect of lactate-enhancement, muscle source, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the internal cooked colour of beef steaks. Longissimus lumborum (LL) and Psoas major (PM) muscles from 16 (n = 16) beef carcasses (USDA Select) were randomly assigned to 4 enhancement treatments (non-injected control, distilled water-enhanced control, 1.25% and 2.5% lactate), and fabricated into 2.54-cm steaks. Steaks were individually packaged in either vacuum (VP), high-oxygen MAP (HIOX; 80% O₂ + 20% CO₂), or carbon monoxide MAP (CO; 0.4% CO + 19.6% CO₂ + 80% N₂), and stored for 0, 5, or 9 days at 1 °C. At the end of storage, surface and internal colour (visual and instrumental) was measured on raw steaks. Steaks were cooked to an internal temperature of 71 °C, and internal cooked colour (visual and instrumental) was evaluated. Lactate-enhancement at 2.5% level resulted in darker (P < 0.05) cooked interiors than other treatments. Interior cooked redness decreased (P < 0.05) during storage for steaks in VP and HIOX, whereas it was stable for steaks in CO. Our findings indicated that the beef industry could utilise a combination of lactate-enhancement and CO MAP to minimise premature browning in whole-muscle beef steaks.     

Carbon Monoxide in Modified Atmosphere Packaging Affects Color, Shelf Life, and Microorganisms of Beef Steaks and Ground Beef

ABSTRACT— Color and microbiology of steaks and ground beef stored in 0.4% CO, 30% CO2, and 69.6% N2 (but removed from the modified atmosphere before display) were compared with product displayed immediately after packaging in polyvinyl chloride film (only atmospheric oxygen). Storage of ground beef, loineye, inside round, and tenderloin steaks for up to 35 d in 0.4% CO resulted in typical initial bloomed color. Compared with product exposed to only oxygen, storage of ground beef and loineye steaks in 0.4% CO decreased color stability, whereas color life increased for tenderloin and inside semimembranosus muscles. No steaks having acceptable color had spoilage levels of microbes (≥log 7). Thus, carboxymyoglobin formed from 0.4% CO did not mask microbial spoilage.     

Influence of vacuum skin packaging on color stability of beef longissimus lumborum compared with vacuum and high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging

The objective of this study was to investigate how color stability of beef is affected by vacuum skin packaging (VSP) compared with vacuum packaging (VP) and high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 80% O₂ and 20% CO₂). Longissimus lumborum muscles were aged in vacuum for 7 days and then cut into 2-cm-thick slices and repacked using VSP, VP and MAP for another 7 days. Color stability was measured during the next 5 days in air and samples for α-tocopherol and NADH analyses were obtained at the beginning and end of aerobic storage. Color stability, α-tocopherol and NADH of steaks were affected by packaging methods and storage time in air (P < 0.05). Higher a* value was obtained in VSP on day 5 compared with VP. Steaks packed in VSP had better color stability than in VP and their color was similar to MAP at the end (day 5) of storage.     

Color stability of ground beef packaged in a low carbon monoxide atmosphere or vacuum

Ground beef was either packaged in an atmosphere of 0.4% CO, 30% CO₂, and 69.6% N₂ (CO-MAP) or vacuum. After storage (48 h, 2–3 °C), packages of CO-MAP and vacuum were opened and overwrapped with polyvinyl chloride. Other CO-MAP and vacuum packages were left intact. Packages were initially displayed for 7 days (2–3 °C). Intact packages were further displayed up to 35 days before being opened and displayed (1 or 3 days). Intact CO-MAP packaged ground beef was always more red than intact vacuum-packaged ground beef. Color was relatively stable for both types of intact packages over 35 days of display. Upon opening CO-MAP packaged ground beef, the red color decreased slower than in ground beef from vacuum packages.     

The impact of packaging system and temperature abuse on the shelf life characteristics of ground beef

New ground beef packaging systems have warranted investigation of their spoilage and quality characteristics. Furthermore, analysis of ground beef spoilage in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and stored at abusive temperature is lacking. This research aimed to determine the effect of packaging systems and temperature abuse on the sensory and shelf-life characteristics of ground beef. Ground beef patties were packaged using polyvinyl chloride overwrap (OW), HI-OX MAP (80% O₂, 20% CO₂), LO-OX MAP (30% CO₂, 70% N₂), CO-MAP (0.4% CO, 30% CO₂, 69.6% N₂), or vacuum (VAC) prior to color, odor, biochemical, and microbial analyses over display. CO-MAP exhibited more desirable color and consumer acceptability throughout display. Lean discoloration and odor scores were lower for anaerobic packaging than aerobic packaging. Microbial results mirrored sensory preferences for anaerobic packaging. These results indicate anaerobic packaging extends shelf-life properties and desirable sensory attributes throughout display and temperature abuse.     

Effects of Electrical Stimulation and Hot Boning on Color Stability of Aerobic and Vacuum Packaged Restructured Beef Steaks

Color stability of restructured beef steaks processed from beef boned 4 hr postmortem (HB) and 96 hr postmortem (CB) was determined using a Hunter color difference meter and a semi-trained color evaluation panel. Steaks were formulated using ground tenderized (2.5 cm) restructurable meat (75% of formulation), salted preblended meat (3% NaCl + 0.267% BHA, 25% of formulation) and enough ground fat to form steaks of 10% fat. Steaks were aerobically wrapped and vacuum packaged. Hunter L, a, b, a/b values and color panel scores during a 7-day retail display revealed that HB steaks had superior color stability. This was attributed to the ability of NaCl to inhibit glycolysis in the HB preblended meat and to act as a prooxidant of myoglobin in the CB preblended meat.     

包装方式对牛排贮藏期间微生物数量和演替的影响

为研究包装方式对牛排贮藏期间的品质、微生物数量和演替的影响，牛排分别采用50% O2气调包装（50% O2＋30% CO2＋20% N2）和真空包装在0～4 ℃下贮藏21 d，并检测贮藏期间pH值、肉色、微生物数量和微生物多样性。结果表明：50% O2气调包装组比真空包装具有更好的护色效果；贮藏21 d时，与真空包装组相比，气调包装组菌落总数、乳酸菌数和假单胞菌数降低；两种包装的微生物多样性均随时间延长呈现先升高后降低的趋势，且真空包装牛排比50% O2气调包装牛排具有更复杂的微生物多样性；牛排的初始微生物主要由不动杆菌属、苍白杆菌属、栖热菌属和金黄杆菌属组成，随着贮藏时间的延长，肉食杆菌属逐渐成为真空包装牛排的优势菌群，而环丝菌属、沙雷氏菌属和乳杆菌属则成为50% O2气调包装牛排的优势菌群；贮藏7～14 d是牛排中微生物种类产生变化的关键时间点；相比于真空包装牛排，50% O2气调包装牛排中的微生物群落具有更低的糖代谢和更高的蛋白质代谢能力。本研究结果明确了不同贮藏方法下牛排的品质变化和微生物的演替规律，为定向抑制牛排中的微生物、延长产品货架期提供了参考。     

Color and thiobarbituric acid values of cooked top sirloin steaks packaged in modified atmospheres of 80% oxygen, or 0.4% carbon monoxide, or vacuum

Case-ready fresh beef is typically packaged in a modified-atmosphere with approximately 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide. Recently, USDA approved distribution of fresh meats in a master bag system using 0.4% carbon monoxide (CO). This study compared effects of packaging system (vacuum, 80% oxygen, 0.4% carbon monoxide), fresh meat storage time (7-21 days) and cooking temperature (49-79 °C) on extent of myoglobin denaturation, color and rancidity in cooked top sirloin steaks. Steaks packaged in 80% oxygen or CO retained desirable red color for 14 and 21 days storage, respectively. Steaks stored in 80% oxygen exhibited the greatest TBA values and myoglobin denaturation at all storage times and cooking temperatures. Steaks stored in high oxygen developed brown interior color at internal temperatures as low as 57 °C, the premature browning effect. Premature browning and rancidity associated with steaks packaged in 80% oxygen was prevented by packaging in 0.4% CO or vacuum.     

Effects of carbon monoxide-modified atmosphere packaging and irradiation on E. coli K12 survival and raw beef quality

The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of irradiation and carbon monoxide in modified atmosphere packaging (CO-MAP) on total plate counts, Escherichia coli K12, color, and odor of fresh beef during refrigerated storage. Beef was packaged aerobically or in CO-MAP, and irradiated at 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 or 2.0 kGy then held at 4 °C for 28 days. Raw beef odor decreased and acid/sour, rancid and grassy odors increased starting on day 14. Initially, no difference existed for visual green color scores due to gas atmosphere. After 14 days of storage, aerobically packaged beef was greener and less red than CO-MAP packaged beef. The a∗ value of CO-MAP packaged beef was higher than that of aerobically packaged beef. Red color of CO-MAP packaged samples decreased slightly in some irradiated samples after 14 days of storage. On day 0 and thereafter, no coliforms were detect after irradiation at 1.5 or 2.0 kGy regardless of packaging format. These findings suggest that CO-MAP could be used to preserve beef color irradiated at doses sufficient to reduce microbial loads to safe levels during 28 days of storage.     

Effect of pasture vs. concentrate feeding with or without antioxidants on carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition, and quality of Uruguayan beef

Thirty Hereford steers were finished either on pasture (n=10) or concentrate (n=20) to determine dietary and antioxidant treatment effects on carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition, and quality of Uruguayan beef. Half of the steers finished on concentrate were supplemented with 1000 I.U. vitamin E head(-1) day(-1) for 100 days. Postmortem vitamin C was added to ground beef (0.05% v/w) displayed for 8 days at 2?°C. Carcasses from steers finished on concentrate had greater (P<0.05) carcass weight, conformation, degree of finishing, fat depth, and ribeye area than pasture finished animals. Carcasses from pasture-fed steers showed darker (P<0.05) longissimus color and yellower (P<0.05) fat at 24 h postmortem than concentrate-fed. Initial longissimus Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values were similar (P>0.05) between pasture- and concentrate-fed animals. However, beef from pasture-fed cattle had lower (P<0.05) WBSF values at 7 and 14 days postmortem. Longissimus α-tocopherol concentrations were greater (P<0.01) for pasture- and concentrate-fed animals that were supplemented with vitamin E compared to concentrate-fed. Steaks from pasture-fed and vitamin E supplemented cattle had similar (P>0.05) TBARS values, which were lower (P<0.05) than steaks from concentrate-fed steers during 21 days of display. Ground beef from vitamin E supplemented steers had the lowest TBARS values; whereas samples from pasture-fed animals had the lowest lipid stability with higher TBARS levels than other treatments. Vitamin C addition to ground beef did not (P>0.05) reduce lipid oxidation. Vitamin E supplementation of concentrate-fed cattle had no effect (P>0.05) on color stability of ground beef or steaks. The a(?) (redness) and b(?) (yellowness) values were higher (P<0.05) when vitamin C was added to ground beef. Longissimus fatty acid content of concentrate-fed animals was twofold greater (P<0.01) than pasture-fed. The percentages of C14:0, C16:0, and C18:1 fatty acids were higher (P<0.01) in the intramuscular fat of concentrate-fed steers, whereas pasture-fed cattle showed greater (P<0.01) proportions of C18:0, C18:2, C18:3, C20:4, C20:5, and C22:5. Total conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and CLA isomer c9t11 were higher (P<0.01) for pasture- than concentrate-fed cattle. Vitamin E supplementation of concentrate-fed steers increased lipid stability of ground beef and steaks, but was unable to improve color stability; whereas vitamin C addition to ground beef increased color stability without altering lipid oxidation. Finishing cattle on pasture enhanced the unsaturated fatty acid profile of intramuscular fat in beef including CLA and omega-3 fatty acids.     

Effect of Prerigor Pressurization on the Retail Characteristics of Beef

Loin steaks were obtained from eight utility cows and ground beef from the bottom round of four choice steers. One side was randomly assigned to be prerigor pressurized (PRP) and the other side served as control (CON). Steaks and ground beef were displayed under simulated retail conditions for 5 and 3 days, respectively. PRP significantly improved lean color of the steaks for the first 4 days of display period. PRP steaks were significantly less discolored at the 5th day. No significant difference for any of the measured traits was observed for samples of ground beef. PRP had no detrimental effect on the case-life of steaks or ground beef.     

RETAIL APPEARANCE OF ELECTRICALLY STIMULATED BEEF

Top round steaks (adductor) and ground beef from the top round were obtained from both sides of ten U.S. Choice carcasses. Left sides were electrically stimulated (ES) with 17 impulses (1.8 set duration, 1.8 set interval) of 550 volts of alternating current at 5 amps. Steaks and ground beef from top rounds from nonstimulated right sides served as control (CON) samples. Steaks and ground beef were displayed under simulated retail conditions for 4 and 3 days, respectively. Steaks were weighed prior to and at the termination of the display interval to determine percentage weight loss. Samples for microbiological evaluation were obtained prior to and at the termination of the display interval. No significant differences were observed for muscle color, surface discoloration or overall appearance for samples of ground beef at any retail display interval. With one exception, muscle color was brighter and surface discoloration was reduced for round steaks from ES sides. Few significant differences in overall appearance were observed between ES and CON samples during the display period. No significant differences between ES and CON samples were observed for bacterial counts either initially or at the termination of the display period for either steaks or ground beef samples. Percentage weight loss was not significantly different between ES and CON steaks. These data suggest that electrical stimulation may enhance, and certainly does not detract from, the appearance of round steaks displayed under retail market conditions.     

Retail display evaluation of steaks from select beef strip loins injected with a brine containing 1% ammonium hydroxide. Part 1: Fluid loss, oxidation, color, and microbial plate counts

Select beef loin pairs (n = 10) were injected (10% pump) with brine containing either 4.5% sodium-based phosphates, (CON), or 1% ammonium hydroxide treatment (AHT). Both brines also contained 3.6% NaCl and 1% Rosemary Herbalox. Steaks cut from loins were high oxygen (80% O(2)/20% CO(2)) modified atmosphere packaged, stored 4 d at 4 °C in the dark to simulate transportation, and then placed in retail display for 14 d (4 °C). On day 0, 7, and 14 of retail display steak properties were measured. Purge from AHT steaks was higher than CON (P < 0.05). Panelists were not able to visually discriminate between AHT and CON steaks through the first 6 d of retail display. After day 6, panelists rated AHT steaks higher for muscle color, percent discoloration, and overall color. Steaks from both treatments started at day 0 retail display with similar total plate counts (P > 0.05). Microbial counts increased more rapidly for AHT steaks than CON steaks (P < 0.05). AHT and CON steaks were not different in terms of lipid oxidation through day 7 retail display. By day 14 retail display CON steaks were above the threshold for consumer perception of oxidized flavors in fresh meat. However, results also indicated the AHT and CON steaks were no longer acceptable by day 14 in terms of color, were questionable in terms of microbial load, and likely were beyond their reasonable shelf life. Based on retail display properties, results indicated 1% AHT could successfully replace 4.5% SP in a meat injection brine. Practical Application: The research in this report compares steaks that have been injected with a commercial brine formulated with SP to steaks that have been injected with a brine, where the SP in the formulation are replaced with 1% AHT. Ammonium hydroxide is an USDA-FSIS approved ingredient in brines injected into fresh meats. Successful replacement of sodium phosphate with ammonium hydroxide would allow processors to significantly reduce the sodium content of injected fresh meat.     

Color stability and reversion in carbon monoxide packaged ground beef

This study investigated the relationship between length (1, 2, 4, or 6 days) of exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and the subsequent rate of loss of carboxymyoglobin color during display (0, 24, 48, 72 h) after repackaging in an oxygen permeable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) overwrap. In addition, the ability of CO to cause color reversion of metmyoglobin to carboxymyoglobin in brown colored, aged (4 days, PVC) or low oxygen-induced (2 days, (LOX-MAP) ground beef was studied. Extending CO exposure time increased overall mean redness. However, overall mean redness decreased after packages were opened. Day 6 exposed ground beef only maintained about 1.5 Minolta a∗ units higher than day 1 exposed after opened 72 h. The color of brown ground beef was converted to carboxymyoglobin upon exposure to carbon monoxide, regardless of how the initial brown color was formed. This color changes was relatively faster in LOX-MAP packaged ground beef compared to that formed by aging in PVC. Although color reversion is possible, consideration should be given to the microbiological status of the ground beef at the time of CO packaging.     

Evaluation of a dehydrated beef protein to replace sodium-based phosphates in injected beef strip loins

A dehydrated beef protein (DBP) was evaluated as a replacement for the phosphate added to beef injection brines. U.S. Select strip loins (n=20) were injected to 110% of their initial weight with a brine containing 3.6% salt and 4.5% sodium phosphate (CON) or 3.6% salt and 5% dehydrated beef protein (DBP). DBP loins had less fluid loss after 30 min. Steaks from both treatments lost similar amounts of fluid during storage. Total fluid loss was lower for DBP injected product. Lipid oxidation (TBARS) products were 0.23-0.60 mg/Kg higher for DBP steaks. DBP steaks were slightly less red than CON steaks according to instrumental measurements. Sensory panel evaluation, however, indicated no differences in redness. DBP steaks were less tender according to trained sensory panel. Results indicated the DBP to be effective in increasing brine retention and a viable alternative to phosphates when used in brines injected into beef strip steaks.     

Effects of potassium lactate, sodium chloride, sodium tripolyphosphate, and sodium acetate on colour, colour stability, and oxidative properties of injection-enhanced beef rib steaks

This study determined the effects of potassium lactate (KL), sodium chloride, sodium tripolyphosphate, and sodium acetate on colour, colour stability, and oxidative properties of injection-enhanced beef rib steaks. Enhancement solutions (8.5% pump) contained combinations of KL (0% or 1.5%), sodium chloride (0.3% or 0.6%), sodium tripolyphosphate (0% or 0.3%), and sodium acetate (0% or 0.1%). Steaks were packaged in a high-oxygen modified atmosphere (80% O(2)/20% CO(2)). Steaks with KL or KL and sodium acetate were darker but more colour stable (P<0.05) than control steaks. Steaks had less glossy surfaces when they contained acetate (P<0.05) and KL (P<0.11). Increasing sodium chloride content resulted in darker, less colour-stable steaks (P<0.05). Removing phosphate had little impact on colour (P>0.05). Both KL and sodium acetate improved visual appearance of injection-enhanced beef rib steaks, whereas the greater salt level were detrimental.