Effects of cryogenic chilling on beef carcass grade, shrinkage and palatability characteristics. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Alternate right or left sides of 90 carcasses were randomly selected and chilled at -70C for 5 h, held at +16C for 4 h and held at 1C for 15 h (rapid chill-RC). The remaining sides were chilled at -7C for 24 h (conventional chill-CC). Physical measurements and USDA quality grade data were obtained at 24 h post mortem and palatability samples were collected at 3-5 days post mortem. RC sides had 09% less shrinkage (P < 005) at 24 h post mortem when compared to paired CC sides. Beef sides that were given the RC treatment had a darker, softer lean (P < 001) and received higher marbling scores (P < 001) at 24 h post mortem than did CC sides. Loin steaks from RC sides had longer sarcomeres, less shear resistance and higher sensory panel tenderness ratings. It may be possible to rapidly chill carcasses with less carcass shrinkage and with no detrimental effects on USDA quality grade or on beef palatability.

published proceedings

  • Meat Sci

author list (cited authors)

  • Bowling, R. A., Dutson, T. R., Smith, G. C., & Savell, J. W.

citation count

  • 37

complete list of authors

  • Bowling, RA||Dutson, TR||Smith, GC||Savell, JW

publication date

  • January 1987