272 High oxygen packaging is detrimental to beef flavor and tenderness

Abstract

Abstract This study determined the influence of packaging and muscle on beef flavor and tenderness. Strip loins and top sirloin butts (n = 20/subprimal) from USDA Low Choice carcasses were fabricated into 2.54 cm steaks (Longissimus lumborum and Gluteus medius) at 7 d postmortem. Steaks were randomly assigned to packaging treatments: carbon monoxide motherbag (CO), high oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (HIOX), polyvinyl overwrap (OW) and rollstock (ROLL) and aged for 14 d in dark storage. Steaks in OW were vacuum packaged during aging, then overwrapped for display. Steaks were placed in coffin-style retail display for 48-h under fluorescent lighting. For trained panels and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), steaks were cooked to 71℃ using clamshell grills. Seven trained panelists rated steaks for beef flavor identity, brown/roasted, bloody/serumy, fat-like, liver-like, oxidized, fishy, buttery, umami, bitter, sour, overall juiciness, and overall tenderness. Data was analyzed as a 2 × 4 factorial design, with packaging, muscle, and their interaction as fixed effects, peak temperature as a covariate, and collection, round, and panel as random effects. No interactions (P ≥ 0.103) or muscle main effects (P ≥ 0.063) were observed. Packaging impacted all traits (P ≤ 0.048), except for fat-like (P = 0.387), liver-like (P = 0.950), and salty (P = 0.357). Steaks from HIOX packaging were rated the lowest for positive flavor attributes and rated highest for negative flavor attributes. Conversely, OW and ROLL steaks produced the greatest positive flavor attributes in comparison with HIOX. Overwrap and ROLL steaks were juicier and more tender than HIOX steaks (P < 0.05). High oxygen steaks exhibited the highest WBSF value compared to all other treatments (P < 0.05). These results indicate HIOX packaging has detrimental effects on flavor and tenderness. Steaks should be stored and aged in anerobic packaging to maintain optimum levels of tenderness and flavor.