Color and thiobarbituric acid values of cooked top sirloin steaks packaged in modified atmospheres of 80 % oxygen or 0.4 % carbon monoxide or vacuum

Sammendrag

ase-ready fresh beef is typically packaged in a modified-atmosphere with approximately 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide. Recently, the USDA approved distribution of fresh meats in a, master-bag system using 0.4% carbon monoxide (CO). This study compared packaging system (vacuum, 80% oxygen, 0.4% carbon monoxide), fresh meat storage time (7-21 days) and cooking temperature (49–79°C) on extent of of myoglobin denaturation, color and rancidity in cooked top sirloin steaks. Steaks packaged in 80% oxygen or CO retained desirable red color for 14 and 21 days storage, respectively. Steaks stored in 80% oxygen exhibited the greatest TBA values and myoglobin denaturation at all storage times and at all cooking temperatures. Steaks stored in 80% oxygen developed brown interior color after cooking to 57°C internal temperature, the premature browning effect. Premature browning and rancidity associated with steaks packaged in 80% oxygen was prevented by packaging in 0.4% CO or vacuum.