Effects of aging on beef chuck and loin muscles enhanced with ammonium hydroxide and salt

J Anim Sci. 2008 May;86(5):1200-4. doi: 10.2527/jas.2007-0361. Epub 2008 Jan 18.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether aging would alter the beneficial effects (tenderness, juiciness, and flavor) of enhancing beef chuck and round steaks with a 20% solution of water, ammonium hydroxide, salt, and carbon monoxide. A randomized, complete block design was used, with 2 treatments [0% (control) and 20% (pump)], 3 aging periods (1, 2, and 3 wk), 3 muscles (M. triceps brachii from the clod heart, M. biceps femoris from the sirloin cap, and M. rectus femoris from the knuckle), and 3 replications. There were a total of 12 subprimals per treatment per aging period (n = 72 each). Individual steaks were cut to a thickness of 2.54 cm and packaged in a high-oxygen modified-atmosphere package (80% oxygen, 20% carbon dioxide). At the end of the aging period, steaks were vacuum packaged and frozen. Steaks were used to determine Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) and consumer sensory ratings. For all muscles, WBS values were lower for pump steaks than control at every aging period (P < 0.050). In addition, as aging period increased, WBS values for all steaks increased. Consumer taste panels revealed more desirability for tenderness, juiciness, flavor, and overall acceptability for pump steaks than control steaks. In addition, steaks aged for 1 d were more desirable than steaks aged for 7 and 14 d (P < 0.050). These data indicate that aging does not decrease the benefits (tenderness, juiciness, and flavor) of enhancement.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / drug effects
  • Aging / physiology
  • Ammonium Hydroxide
  • Animals
  • Carbon Monoxide / pharmacology
  • Cattle
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Food Handling
  • Food Packaging / methods*
  • Food Preservation / methods*
  • Food Preservatives / pharmacology*
  • Food Technology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxides / pharmacology
  • Meat / analysis
  • Meat / standards*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Random Allocation
  • Salts / pharmacology
  • Taste
  • Time Factors
  • Vacuum

Substances

  • Food Preservatives
  • Hydroxides
  • Salts
  • Ammonium Hydroxide
  • Carbon Monoxide