| Abstract: | The effects of temperature and water activity on lipid oxidation in washed muscle fibers stored at water activities ranging from 0.96 to 0.70 and at various temperatures were studied. Fluorescence measurements at −20C, revealed no significant change over 50 days at any water activity. At 4C and 20C, there was an initial increase in fluorescence for all samples over the first few days, then a more rapid decrease with no further change up to 40 days. At 80C, no change in fluorescence was seen over a 100-min period. Rancidity did develop in some samples but was not always detected by fluorescence. Through use of oxygen uptake as a measure of lipid oxidation, it was possible to see differences between samples at different water activities and temperatures. However, the limited amount of oxygen and the temperature limitation of the oxygen electrode prohibit studies over extended time periods and at high temperatures (> 50C). |
