Effects of extended postmortem aging on selected beef muscles intended for retail sale
Date
2014
Authors
Karney, Erin D., author
Woerner, Dale R., advisor
Belk, Keith E., committee member
Tatum, J. Daryl, committee member
Pendell, Dustin L., committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
In order to mimic beef commonly found in retail supermarkets, paired strip loins (NAMP #180) and top sirloin butts (NAMP #184) were obtained from USDA Choice carcasses with a marbling score ranging from Small00 to Small50 (n = 15) and USDA Select carcasses with a marbling score ranging from Slight50 to Slight99 (n = 15) at a commercial packing plant. Samples were collected from 3 separate groups of carcasses in order to replicate each aging and display period three times. At 48 hours postmortem, paired strip loins and top sirloin butts were portioned into 3-inch sections, vacuum-sealed, and stored 14, 21, 28, 35, 49, or 63 days postmortem. For both strip loin and sirloin sections, once the aging period was designated, the sections were stored in a vacuum-sealed bag at 0°C (± 1°C) and in the dark until their assigned aging period was complete. Two steaks from each aged section for each muscle was placed in a styrofoam tray with a polyvinyl chloride overwrap and placed in a multi-deck retail display case equipped with LED lighting (Hussmann Model No. M3X8GEP) and set at 2°C for 72 hrs. A third steak cut from each aged section was immediately cooked, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) analysis was measured to determine the effects of the aging period on tenderness without the display period. During the display period, each steak was evaluated every 8 hours by a minimum of 8 trained panelists for lean color, external fat color, lean percent discoloration, and L* a* b* color values. A trained sensory panel for tenderness and flavor attributes, including off-flavors, also was used to evaluate steaks. As steaks were subjected to longer periods of postmortem aging, WBSF values decreased and trained sensory panel tenderness ratings improved. A 72 h display time reduced (P < 0.05) WBSF values of strip loin and sirloin steaks. A minimum of 28 d of postmortem aging was required to improve the WBSF values of low Choice and Select strip loin steaks compared with the same strip loins steaks aged for 14 d, and a minimum of 35 d of postmortem aging was required to improve sensory tenderness ratings for low Choice and Select strip loin steaks. Strip loin steaks aged up to 28 d before retail display had little impact on display life and the incidence of off-flavors; however, there was no tenderness advantage over 14 d aged steaks from low Choice and Select strip loins. Thirty-five days of postmortem aging were required to achieve an improvement in WBSF compared to that achieved with 14 d aging for low Choice and Select top sirloin steaks, and trained sensory panel scores indicated that at least 49 d of postmortem aging was required to improve the myofibrillar tenderness of low Choice and Select sirloin steaks. Sirloin steaks aged 35 d and beyond produced undesirable lean color scores in as early as the first 24 h of retail display, and top sirloin steaks aged only 14 d and displayed an additional 72 h had relatively intense levels of oxidized and sour/acidic flavors present. Top sirloins cannot be aged for enough time to improve tenderness and maintain a considerable level of display life, and extended aging time is not a viable option for top sirloins intended for retail display and sale.
Description
Rights Access
Subject
aging
beef
color
sirloin
strip loin
tenderness