Animal Science, Department of
Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports
Date of this Version
January 1999
Abstract
Steaks from longissimus muscle were stored at 30°F and 38°F for one, two, three, eight and 15 days postmortem to identify time/temperature combinations providing optimum tenderization. After completion of each treatment, steaks were sampled for myfibrillar protein degradation using gel electrophoresis and Warner-Bratzler shear force. Steaks aged at 38°F tended to have lower shear force values (greater tenderness) and shorter storage times than those stored at 30°F. Gel electrophoresis confirmed these results: samples stored at 38° F had considerable protein degradation in eight days, comparable to steaks aged at 30°F for 15 days.
Comments
Published in 1999 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Published by Agricultural Research Division & University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension , Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.