Blade-tenderized Steaks Research Articles

Consumer and Warner-Bratzler Shear Evaluations of Steaks from Blade Tenderized, Aged, or Frozen Sirloin Subprimals

Paired USDA Choice top sirloin butts (n = 60) were divided equally across 3 trials: 1) blade tenderized (BT) versus non-blade tenderized (NBT), 2) refrigerated versus frozen aging/storage, and 3) 14-d versus 35-d refrigerated aging. Steaks from subprimals were evaluated using Warner-Bratzler Shear (WBS) force testing and consumer sensory evaluation. Consumers found BT steaks to be more tender and palatable compared to NBT steaks (P < 0.05), even though WBS values did not differ. Steaks from refrigerated versus frozen and 14- versus 35-d age treatments did not differ (P > 0.05) in consumer sensory ratings or WBS values. When compared to refrigerated, frozen storage of product did not affect consumer sensory ratings. Lack of differences between 14- and 35-d aging treatments indicated that the top sirloin butt did not require extended-aging periods to increase tenderness. Blade tenderization remains important for the top sirloin; however, purveyors may have options in postmortem aging and frozen storage of product without sacrificing quality.

Effects of blade tenderization, aging method and aging time on meat quality characteristics of Longissimus lumborum steaks from cull Holstein cows

The effects of blade tenderization (BT), two aging methods (dry (D) and wet (W)), and aging time (2 and 23 d) on tenderness, color, and sensory properties of Longissimus lumborum muscles from 12 cull Holstein cows were evaluated. Dry-aged loins had higher combined trim and aging losses than control (C) for both D- and W-aging, mostly because of excess trim losses. BT steaks had WBSF of 33.13N while C steaks had WBSF of 41.46N (P=0.09). Aging decreased WBSF. Blade tenderized steaks had higher cook loss than C steaks. Aging, W-aging, and BT×W-aging improved myofibrillar (sensory) tenderness scores. Aging and/or BT improves sensory panel tenderness cull cow Longissimus lumborum steaks. Aging and blade tenderization combined can increase tenderness and value of Longissimus steaks from cull Holstein cows.

Translocation of natural microflora from muscle surface to interior by blade tenderization (2000)

The effect of blade tenderization on translocation of natural microflora from the surface to the interior of longissimus dorsi steaks aged for 7, 14, and 21 days was evaluated. Samples from the exterior and interior of steaks from blade-tenderized (BT) and non-blade-tenderized (N-BT) strip loins were analyzed for aerobic plate, coliform, and Escherichia coli counts. Results showed that BT translocated microorganisms (aerobic plate counts) from the exterior to the interior of muscle. Microorganism numbers increased with extended storage (P<.05). Counts of coliforms and Escherichia coli recovered from BT steaks were comparable to those from N-BT steaks because of very low exterior counts, showing the importance of good hygiene.