Effects of enhancement with differing phosphate types, concentrations, and pump rates, without sodium chloride, on beef biceps femoris instrumental color characteristics

Enhancement of beef biceps femoris muscles (n=45) with solutions comprising sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), or tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) at either 0.2% or 0.4% of product weight, with the exclusion of sodium chloride, was performed to observe the independent phosphate effects on instrumental color during simulated retail display. All solutions were injected into muscle samples at either 112% (12% pump) or 118% (18% pump) of raw product weight. All three phosphate types maintained higher (P<0.05) L* values than untreated steaks (CNT) through 5 days-of-display, and SHMP had higher (P<0.05) L* values than STPP and TSPP through 7 days-of-display. Additionally, steaks with 0.2% phosphate inclusion were lighter (L*; P<0.05) than CNT throughout display, and were lighter (P<0.05) than steaks enhanced with 0.4% phosphates through 7 days of display. Steaks enhanced with TSPP had higher (P<0.05) a* values than CNT on days 5 and 7 of display, whereas SHMP- or STPP-enhanced steaks generally had similar (P>0.05) a* values as CNT after 3d of display. Direct comparison of phosphate concentrations revealed no differences (P>0.05) in a* values. Only steaks enhanced with TSPP were more vivid (P<0.05) and had higher (P<0.05) proportions of oxymyoglobin than CNT on days 5 and 7 of display. However, direct comparison of phosphate types indicated that TSPP- and STPP-enhanced steaks had similar (P>0.05) oxymyoglobin proportions during display. Phosphate inclusion at 0.4% maintained higher (P<0.05) oxymyoglobin proportions than 0.2% phosphate inclusion through 5 days-of-display. These results indicate that while 0.2% phosphate concentrations maintain lighter color, 0.4% concentrations can more effectively retain oxymyoglobin during display. Additionally, only steaks enhanced with TSPP were redder, more vivid, and had higher oxymyoglobin proportions than untreated steaks during the latter stages of display.     

Enhancement with varying phosphate types, concentrations, and pump rates, without sodium chloride on beef biceps femoris quality and sensory characteristics

Beef biceps femoris muscles (n=45) were used to evaluate the effect of enhancement with solutions containing sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), or tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) at either 0.2% or 0.4% of product weight, without sodium chloride. All solutions were injected into muscle samples at either 112% (12% pump) or 118% (18% pump) of raw product weight. Muscles enhanced with STPP or TSPP had a higher (P<0.05) pH than SHMP or untreated muscles (CNT), whereas there was no difference (P>0.05) in pH between SHMP and CNT. Muscles enhanced with STPP had less (P<0.05) free water than CNT, whereas SHMP and TSPP did not differ from CNT. However, direct comparison of phosphate types revealed no difference (P>0.05) in free water. Steaks enhanced with SHMP had greater (P<0.05) cooking losses than CNT, whereas steaks treated with STPP or TSPP did not differ (P>0.05) from CNT. Phosphate inclusion at 0.2% allowed for greater (P<0.05) cooking losses than CNT, whereas 0.4% phosphate inclusion exhibited similar (P>0.05) cooking losses as CNT. Although there were no differences (P>0.05) in cooking loss between pump rates, steaks enhanced at an 18% pump rate had greater (P<0.05) cooking losses than CNT, whereas those enhanced at 12% had similar (P>0.05) cooking losses as CNT. Enhancement with any of the three phosphate types or either concentration did not improve (P>0.05) sensory tenderness or juiciness characteristics compared to CNT, but enhancement at an 18% pump rate allowed for improved (P<0.05) overall tenderness, compared to a 12% pump rate. These results suggest that while phosphate enhancement independent of sodium chloride generally did not improve water retention, cooked yields and palatability compared to untreated samples, utilizing higher phosphate concentrations or utilizing STPP or TSPP effectively retained the additional water associated with solution enhancement, allowing for similar free water and cook yields as untreated samples.     

Effects of sodium chloride, phosphate type and concentration, and pump rate on beef biceps femoris quality and sensory characteristics

Beef biceps femoris muscles (n=45) were used to evaluate the effect of enhancement with solutions comprising 2.0% sodium chloride and either sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), or tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) at either 0.2% or 0.4% of product weight. All solutions were injected into muscle samples at either 112% (12% pump) or 118% (18% pump) of raw product weight. Muscles treated with all three phosphate types had decreased (P<0.05) free water compared to untreated muscles (CNT), and while TSPP-treated muscles were able to bind greater (P<0.05) additional water than CNT, STPP- and SHMP-treated muscles did not differ (P>0.05) from CNT. Disregarding phosphate type, steaks with 0.4% phosphate inclusion bound more (P<0.05) water than those with 0.2% phosphate inclusion. Steaks treated with STPP or TSPP had decreased (P<0.05) cooking losses than CNT, while SHMP-treated steaks did not differ (P>0.05) from CNT. Steaks injected at 18% pump had greater (P<0.05) percent moisture, and did not differ (P>0.05) in free water, water binding, or cooking losses from steaks injected at 12% pump. Although there were no differences (P>0.05) in Warner-Bratzler shear force in this study, steaks with SHMP, STPP, and TSPP all were rated more tender, and juicier (P<0.05) by sensory panelists than CNT steaks or steaks enhanced only with sodium chloride. Regardless of phosphate type, steaks enhanced with 0.4% phosphate and those steaks at 18% pump received improved (P<0.05) sensory tenderness ratings compared to 0.2% phosphate and 12% pump, respectively. These results suggest that enhancing biceps femoris muscles with STPP or TSPP can improve water retention, yield, and palatability characteristics. Additionally, enhancement with a phosphate/salt solution at an 18% pump rate, compared to a 12% pump rate, can allow for improved sensory tenderness perceptions without decreasing product yields.     

Impact of muscle type and sodium chloride concentration on the quality, sensory, and instrumental color characteristics of solution enhanced whole-muscle beef

Beef biceps femoris (n = 10; muscle sections, n = 20; BF), infraspinatus (n = 10; muscle sections, n = 20; IS), and longissimus (n = 10; muscle sections, n = 20; LM) muscles were utilized to evaluate the effect of enhancement with phosphate and varying levels of sodium chloride in beef muscles differing in composition and palatability. Muscles were untreated or solution enhanced to 112% of raw product weight with sodium tripolyphosphate at 0.4% of product weight (STPP), or STPP and sodium chloride (NaCl) at 0.5%, 1.0% or 1.5% of product weight. There was a quadratic relationship (P = 0.04) for percent free water to decrease and a linear relationship (P < 0.01) for cook yield to increase as the level of NaCl increased. The IS steaks required less (P < 0.05) shear force than either the BF or LM, with the BF and LM having similar (P > 0.05) shear force values. There was a linear relationship (P < 0.01) for shear force values to decrease with increasing salt concentration. Steaks from all four enhancement treatments had lower (P < 0.05) shear force values than untreated steaks. Sensory overall tenderness ratings revealed that the IS and LM were similar (P > 0.05) and superior (P < 0.05) to the BF in tenderness. Steaks enhanced with STPP and 0.5%, 1.0%, or 1.5% NaCl all were rated more tender (P < 0.05) than untreated or STPP-only treated steaks. The BF exhibited the lowest (P < 0.05) L* (lightness) and a* (redness) values, as well as decreased (P < 0.05) vividness. The LM generally exhibited superior color to the other two muscle types. There was a linear relationship (P < 0.01) for L*, a*, b* (yellowness) values, and vividness to decline with increasing salt concentration, but steaks enhanced with STPP and 0.5% NaCl were similar (P > 0.05) in a* values and vividness to untreated steaks. These results suggest that across three different muscles varying in composition and palatability, enhancement with 0.4% STPP and 0.5% NaCl allowed for improvements in palatability while minimizing the color deterioration associated with phosphate/salt enhancement.     

Solution Enhancement and Post-enhancement Storage Effects on the Quality, Sensory, and Retail Display Characteristics of Beef Triceps Brachii Muscles

Beef triceps brachii muscles (6 d postmortem; n= 15; muscle sections n= 45) were sectioned into 3rds and allocated to 1 of 3 treatments. The treatments were untreated (CNT), or injected at a 12% pump rate with either tap water‐only (H₂O) or a solution comprising tetrasodium pyrophosphate and sodium chloride (TSPP/ NaCl) at 0.4% and 1.0% target final product weight concentrations, respectively. Each muscle (comprising all 3 treatments) was then allocated to 2, 14, or 28 d of vacuum‐packaged 1°C storage. Purge losses during storage were greatest (P < 0.05) for H₂O muscles and least (P < 0.05) for TSPP/NaCl muscles. Purge losses also increased (P < 0.05) from 2 d to 14 d of storage. Steaks enhanced with TSPP/NaCl had less (P < 0.05) free water and lower (P < 0.05) cooking losses than either CNT or H₂O steaks. Storage duration did not affect (P > 0.05) Warner‐Bratzler shear force (WBS) or sensory tenderness, but juiciness decreased (P < 0.05) with increased storage duration. While storage duration did not impact (P > 0.05) instrumental color characteristics, aerobic plate counts generally increased during storage. The TSPP/NaCl steaks had lower (P < 0.05) WBS values and improved (P < 0.05) sensory tenderness and juiciness characteristics compared with CNT or H₂O steaks. While CNT steaks had greater (P < 0.05) L* values (lightness) than TSPP/NaCl steaks, TSPP/NaCl steaks had similar (P > 0.05) oxymyoglobin proportions (630/580 nm) and a* values (redness) as CNT steaks. These results suggest enhancement with TSPP/NaCl can improve triceps brachii yield and palatability characteristics. Increased post‐enhancement storage did not impact or worsened palatability while increasing purge losses, suggesting general deleterious effects of increased postmortem storage for this muscle.     

ENHANCEMENT EFFECTS ON SENSORY AND RETAIL DISPLAY CHARACTERISTICS OF BEEF ROUNDS

Beef round roasts were injected (to 110% of original weight) to result in 0.4% sodium chloride and 0.4% phosphate on a finished weight basis. Steaks from enhanced roasts were more (P<0.05) juicy, tender and salty than those from control roasts. However, enhancement had a detrimental effect on the color of the steaks during retail display. After two days in display, enhanced steaks had lower visual color scores indicating darkening and discoloration. At 4 days, a* and b* values were lower for enhanced steaks indicating that they were less red and yellow than controls. Aerobic plate counts suggested that enhanced steaks were more susceptible to microbial growth during retail display. Although enhancement positively affected sensory characteristics, the negative effect of a shortened shelf-life was apparent.     

Effect of the type of emulsifying salt on microstructure and rheological properties of "requeijão cremoso" processed cheese spreads

Abstract: The role of different types of emulsifying salts—sodium citrate (TSC), sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP)—on microstructure and rheology of “requeijão cremoso” processed cheese was determined. The cheeses manufactured with TSC, TSPP, and STPP behaved like concentrated solutions, while the cheese manufactured with SHMP exhibited weak gel behavior and the lowest values for the phase angle (G”/G’). This means that SHMP cheese had the protein network with the largest amount of molecular interactions, which can be explained by its highest degree of fat emulsification. Rotational viscometry indicated that all the spreadable cheeses behaved like pseudoplastic fluids. The cheeses made with SHMP and TSPP presented low values for the flow behavior index, meaning that viscosity was more dependent on shear rate. Regarding the consistency index, TSPP cheese showed the highest value, which could be attributed to the combined effect of its high pH and homogeneous fat particle size distribution.     

Effects of Various Phosphates on the Palatability, Appearance and Storage Traits of Flaked and Formed Restructured Beef Steaks

Seven blends (9.1 kg raw meat) were formulated with 0.75% NaCl and 0.25% or 0.5% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP), sodium hexa-metaphosphate (SHMP) or sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP). Steaks from all blends were “slightly” to “moderately” desirable in flavor and overall satisfaction scores. Steaks made with STP had higher shear force values and work required to shear values than all other restructured steaks indicating an increase in binding occurred with added STP. Restructured steaks formulated with 0.5% STP or SHMP had more desirable raw color scores than the control or steaks made with SAPP. Storage life of all phosphate added restructured steaks was past 90 days frozen storage, and steaks containing STP had thiobarbituric acid values below 1.0 at 120 days storage.     

Effect of Inorganic Polyphosphates on Ground Beef Characteristics: Some Chemical, Physical, and Sensory Effects on Frozen Beef Patties

Chemical, physical, and sensory effects of 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and three commercial phosphate blends were studied in frozen beef patties over a 90-day storage period at ?20°C. Addition of phosphates significantly (P<0.05) increased pH, soluble orthophosphates, Hunter color a values, cook yields and overall acceptability scores. Phosphate addition did not affect (p>0.05) proximate analysis, texture, and flavor scores. Hunter L (lightness) and b (yellowness) values were also unaffected by phosphates. Overall quality of patties, as measured by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) numbers and cooking yields, was improved by all phosphates. There were indications that phosphates interfered with the distillation TBA test.     

CHEMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS BLENDS OF PHOSPHATES

Chemical and functional properties of various blends of phosphate were examined and compared with the conventional phosphate (M-CP: a mechanical blend [50:50] of sodium tripolyphosphate [STPP] and tetrasodium pyrophosphate [TSPP]). Regardless of solution temperature and brine concentration, the solubilities of various blends of phosphates, especially M-1 (a mechanical blend [50:50] of tetrapotassium pyrophosphate and STPP), M-LC (a long-chained sodium hexametapolyphosphate [SHMP] treated with trisodium phosphate [TSP]) and M-MC (a middle-chained SHMP treated with TSP), except for C-S (a chemical blend [50:50] of STPP and TSPP for faster/higher solubility) and C-V (a chemical blend [50:50] of STPP and TSPP for higher viscosity), were higher than that of M-CP. The scanning electronic microscopic image revealed that the structures of various blends of phosphate were quite different. Comparing with M-CP, C-V was superior in viscosity, water retention ability (WRA), emulsifying activity and cooking stability. M-1 was superior in WRA compared to M-CP.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Conventional blending for phosphates is typically made through simple mechanical mixing. In our study, we featured chemically blended phosphates and found that some of them demonstrated superior functional properties. With this advantage, the use of chemically blended phosphate could reduce the usage level while achieving a similar or better performance.     

SENSORY ATTRIBUTES AND RETAIL DISPLAY CHARACTERISTICS OF PASTURE- AND/OR GRAIN-FED BEEF AGED 7,14 OR 21 DAYS

Strip loin steaks were removed from steer carcasses fed on; (1) wheat-rye-grass pasture only, (2) wheat-ryegrass pasture followed by grain feeding, or (3) grain feeding. The steaks were analyzed for sensory panel attributes, Warner-Bratzler shear force and storage and display life. Steaks from pasture-fed steers were similar (P>.05) to steaks from grain-fed steers in sensory tenderness and connective tissue amount. Steaks from pasture-fed steers had similar (P>.05) shear force values to steaks from grain-fed steers. Off flavor incidence was greater (P<.05) in steaks from steers on pasture only than from steers on grain and pasture/grain. No differences (P>.05) due to treatment were found in visual color and discolor scores. The C.I.E. a* values showed steaks from steers fed pasture only and pasture/grain retained higher (P<.05) redness values than steaks from steers grain-fed during the 10 day display period. The results indicate pasture finishing systems could be as effective in maintaining beef tenderness and color shelf-life characteristics as grain finishing systems.     

The influence of additives on properties of heat‐induced gels from salt‐soluble proteins extracted from goose

Calcium chloride (CaCl₂) and phosphates are important additives to improve product quality during meat processing. Response surface methodology was used to study the influence of CaCl₂ and phosphates on the hardness, water‐holding capacity (WHC) and ultra‐structure of salt‐soluble goose meat protein gels. The results show that the hardness and WHC of salt‐soluble protein gels increased significantly when CaCl₂ concentration was increased and phosphates were added. Scanning electron microscopy showed that tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) had a greater impact on the cross‐linking and pore diameter of the gel networks than sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). At the 0.02 m and 4:3:2 of CaCl₂ concentration and the ratio of TSPP, SHMP and STPP, hardness and WHC values were 114.55 gf and 96.65%, which corresponded to the prediction value of our model. Further results showed that the hardness and WHC of gels reached the maximum with 0.3% of phosphates levels.     

Evaluation of salt, polyphosphates and their blends at different levels on physicochemical properties of buffalo meat and patties

The effects of sodium pyrophosphate (SPP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP), sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) and their blends at different levels (0·3, 0·5 and 0·7%), along with 2% sodium chloride on certain quality parameters of buffalo meat and patties were evaluated. The SPP, STPP and phosphate blends significantly increased pH, water-holding capacity (WHC), emulsifying capacity (EC), extractability of salt soluble proteins (SSP), colour of ground meat, decreased cooking loss (CL), improved emulsion stability (ES) and enhanced yield, texture and moisture retention of cooked patties. Compared to these phosphates, SAPP and SHMP had significantly poorer effects on improving the quality of meat and patties. The order of effectiveness of phosphates was SPP > STPP > SHMP. In general, pH, WHC, SSP, ES, yield and moisture content of patties increased progressively with increasing level of phosphate while CL decreased. Among blends containing two polyphosphates, those of 90% SPP + 10% SHMP and 75% SPP + 25% STPP were relatively more effective. A phosphate blend consisting of 65% SPP, 17·5% STPP and 17·5% SAPP was equally effective as that of SPP in improving the functionality of hot and chilled meat and had the advantage of reducing the amount of sodium by 3%.     

TEXTURAL PROPERTIES AND COLOR CHARACTERISTICS OF RESTRUCTURED BEEF STEAKS WITH SELECTED BINDERS AND NOMEAT ADJUNCTS

Restructured steaks were evaluated using subjective and objective texture and color analyses. Treatments included: intact muscle, restructured steaks with no additives, salt/sodium tripolyphosphate (NaCl/STP), calcium alginate, crude myosin extract (CME) with 0.1% Nad and 0.4% STP [low salt & phosphate (LSP)], CME with 1.0 NaCl and 0.4% STP [high salt & phosphate (HSP)], surimi LSP and surimi HSP. Restructured steaks made from CME (HSP) or surimi (HSP) exhibited superior (P < 0.05) sensory textural evaluation, tensile strength values, cooking loss properties, color and color stability (subjective and objective) when compared to other restructured steaks except CME (LSP) and NaCl/STP (in some parameters). Restructured steaks made with CME or surimi in combination with 1% NaCl and 0.4% STP improved or maintained textural properties as well as color and color stability of restructured steaks.     

Reduction of microorganisms in ground beef using multiple intervention technology

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

Selected Quality Factors and Sensory Attributes of Cured Ham as Influenced by Different Phosphate Blends

In each of four replications, 32 packer-style hams were randomly allotted to one of eight treatment groups in which the curing brine formulated for a 10% pump contained: (1) No phosphate; (2) 100% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP); (3) 5% sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) + 95% STP; (4) 10% SHMP + 90% STP; (5) 5% Quadrafos (SQ) + 95% STP; (6) 10% SQ + 90% STP; (7) 10% tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) + 90% STP; or (8) 20% TSPP + 80% STP. Raw hams were subjectively evaluated for quality, samples were removed for analysis, and hams were processed according to commercial procedures. Processing losses and cooking losses were calculated, and physical and sensory properties of the processed, cooked hams were measured. The 20% TSPP blend was least effective in reducing processing shrinkage; whereas, the 5% SHMP blend was the most effective. Nonphosphate treated hams had greater cooking losses and were scored lowest for all sensory attributes. Greater drip cooking losses occurred as amounts of SHMP and SQ increased in the phosphate blends.     

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.     

Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Salt, and Sodium Tripolyphosphate on Physical, Sensory, and Instrumental Color Characteristics of Beef Striploins

ABSTRACT:  USDA Select striploins (IMPS 180; n = 24) were cut into thirds (anterior, medial, and posterior) and assigned to 1 of 8 treatments utilizing a randomized incomplete block design. Treatments included (1) control (C); (2) 1.5% conjugated linoleic acid (conjugated linoleic acid = CLA) (CGA); (3) 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate (PHO); (4) 0.5% salt (SAL); (5) 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate, 0.5% salt (SPH); (6) 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate, 1.5% CLA (PCL); (7) 0.5% salt, 1.5% CLA (SCL); and (8) 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate, 0.5% salt, 1.5% CLA (SPC). Treatments were injected with solutions to 110% (10% pump) of their original weight. Treatments with CLA had higher ( P < 0.05) marbling scores than treatments that did not. Not including SAL, treatments with salt, or phosphate or a combination of the two had higher tenderness values when sampled by panelists. Fresh steaks with inclusion of CLA had greater amounts ( P < 0.05) of the CLA isomers than steaks not having CLA. Cooked steaks having CLA also had greater amounts ( P < 0.05) of CLA, except for SCL, which were not different ( P > 0.05) from the non-CLA treatments. Day was a significant source of variability for a *, b *, and saturation index. Treatment × day interactions were significant ( P < 0.05) for hue angle and L * values. These data suggest that inclusion of CLA can increase amounts of CLA isomers without major deleterious effects to instrumental, physical, and quality characteristics of beef striploin steaks.     

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.     

Palatability of bison semimembranosus and effects of marination

The present study was conducted to investigate the palatability of bison semimembranosus muscle (SM) and the effects of injection with sodium chloride and sodium tripolyphosphate on cooking yield, colour, shear force and consumer acceptability. Twenty paired SM were obtained from 10 intact male bison (aged 24-30 months); each of these muscles was divided longitudinally into two sections. One section was injected to 110% of its original weight to contain 0.5% sodium chloride and 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate, while the other was kept as a non-injected control. HunterLab a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) values did not differ (P>0.05) between injection treatments; however, injected steaks had lower L* values (darker) compared to controls. Control samples from bison SM were very lean and high in protein but not very tender. Marination by injection was able to significantly reduce shear force values of SM; that is, injected steaks/roasts had significantly (P<0.001) lower shear force values (63.9 N) compared to control samples (102.3 N). Cooking yields for the steaks/roasts from the injected sections were significantly (P<0.001) higher compared to those from control non-injected sections when cooked to either 71 or 77?°C. Bison samples cooked by moist-heat had significantly (P<0.001) lower cooking losses and shear force values compared to those cooked by dry-heat. As expected, steaks/roasts were more tender and had higher cooking yields when cooked to a medium level of doneness (71?°C) compared to an internal temperature of 77?°C (well done). A panel of 80 consumers preferred injected steaks cooked to 77?°C endpoint over other combinations, followed by non-injected steaks cooked to 71?°C, whereas injected steaks cooked to 71?°C and non-injected steaks cooked to 77?°C were equally but least preferred. Hence, injection seems to be protecting against moisture loss at high end-point cooking temperatures.