Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

The effect of pH decline rate on the meat and eating quality of beef carcasses

D. L. Hopkins A E , E. N. Ponnampalam B , R. J. van de Ven C and R. D. Warner D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development, PO Box 129, Cowra, NSW 2794, Australia.

B Future Farming Systems Research Division, Department of Primary Industries, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.

C NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange Agricultural Institute, Forest Road, Orange, NSW 2800, Australia.

D CSIRO Animal, Food and Health Sciences, 671 Sneydes Road, Werribee, Vic. 3030, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: david.hopkins@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Animal Production Science 54(4) 407-413 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN12314
Submitted: 3 September 2012  Accepted: 7 March 2013   Published: 20 February 2014

Journal Compilation © CSIRO Publishing 2014 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

An experiment was undertaken to examine the effect of rapid pH fall at a high muscle temperature on meat and eating quality of two beef cuts (striploin and cube roll). From 115 beef steer carcasses of which the right side of each carcass was subjected to electrical stimulation, 25 carcasses which exhibited the largest difference in the rate of pH fall in the M. longissimus between sides were selected for subsequent sampling. All of the stimulated sides missed the ‘ideal’ pH/temperature window (defined as temperature at pH 6 in the M. longissimus <35°C and >12°C) at the upper end, as did several of the non-stimulated sides. The mean temperature at pH 6 for stimulated sides from modelling was 40.9 versus 33.3°C for non-stimulated sides. Despite the significant effect of stimulation on pH decline there was no statistically significant impact on shear force or sensory traits of the M. longissimus, but there was a significant effect of aging on these traits. There was no effect of stimulation or pH decline on drip loss of the striploin. After 14 days of aging there was no effect of stimulation or ultimate pH on striploin purge, but there was a significant effect of pH decline. This was not, however, evident for purge of the cube roll aged for either 4 or 42 days. The redness of the cube rolls as reflected by a* values declined with days of display, with the decline more rapid for samples aged for 42 days compared with those aged for 4 days. For meat aged and displayed identically, the a* values were on average significantly lower for meat from non-stimulated carcasses, but apart from aging there was no effect on the wavelength ratio 630/580 nm, an indicator of the formation of metmyoglobin. There was also evidence that a rapid decline in pH increased the onset of lipid oxidation.


References

Aalhus JL, Best DR, Murray AC, Jones SDM (1998) A comparison of the quality characteristics of pale, soft and exudative beef and pork. Journal of Food Science 9, 267–280.

Anon. (2005) ‘Handbook of Australian meat.’ 7th edn. (AUS-MEAT Limited: Brisbane)

Anon. (2006) ‘pH measurement and decline in beef carcasses. Module 4B. Version 4.0.’ (Meat and Livestock Australia: Sydney)

Bee G, Anderson AL, Lonergan SM, Huff-Lonergan E (2007) Rate and extent of pH decline affect proteolysis of cytoskeletal proteins and water-holding capacity in pork. Meat Science 76, 359–365.
Rate and extent of pH decline affect proteolysis of cytoskeletal proteins and water-holding capacity in pork.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXit12ltro%3D&md5=a10aca66eaf5a12bd3a7b5bcddf29d79CAS | 22064307PubMed |

den Hertog-Meischke MJA, Smulders FJM, van Logtestijn JG, van Knapen F (1997) Effect of electrical stimulation on the water-holding capacity and protein denaturation of two bovine muscles. Journal of Animal Science 75, 118–124.

Devine CE, Wahlgren NM, Tornberg E (1999) Effect of rigor temperature on muscle shortening and tenderisation of restrained and unrestrained beef m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum. Meat Science 51, 61–72.
Effect of rigor temperature on muscle shortening and tenderisation of restrained and unrestrained beef m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MbnsVWqtA%3D%3D&md5=0fa670a2c0be3f3e48dbef00926751beCAS | 22061537PubMed |

Dransfield E, Etherington DJ, Taylor MAJ (1992) Modelling post-mortem tenderisation-II: enzyme changes during storage of electrically stimulated and non-stimulated beef. Meat Science 31, 75–84.
Modelling post-mortem tenderisation-II: enzyme changes during storage of electrically stimulated and non-stimulated beef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38Xht1Ohtrc%3D&md5=c36d0a3830ca544f80333d2f13a3e657CAS | 22059511PubMed |

Efron B, Tibshirani RJ (1993) ‘An introduction to the Bootstrap.’ (Chapman & Hall: New York)

Faustman C, Cassens RG (1990) The biochemical basis for discoloration in fresh meat: a review. Journal of Muscle Foods 1, 217–243.
The biochemical basis for discoloration in fresh meat: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Faustman C, Sun Q, Mancini R, Suman SP (2010) Myoglobin and lipid oxidation interactions: mechanistic bases and control. Meat Science 86, 86–94.
Myoglobin and lipid oxidation interactions: mechanistic bases and control.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXos1Cntrk%3D&md5=762efcf84fdb9955d219e456f67fbd4aCAS | 20554121PubMed |

Hopkins DL, Thompson JM (2001) Inhibition of protease activity 2. Degradation of myofibrillar proteins, myofibril examination and determination of free calcium levels. Meat Science 59, 199–209.
Inhibition of protease activity 2. Degradation of myofibrillar proteins, myofibril examination and determination of free calcium levels.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXlt1Sht78%3D&md5=5e4179107a02bc800d0ca10ce94c5bddCAS | 22062679PubMed |

Hopkins DL, Cassar JA, Toohey ES, Wynn PC (2007) Examination of pH in lot fed beef for Japan. Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 67, 436–440.

Hunt MC (1980) Meat colour measurements. Proceedings Reciprocal Meat Conference 33, 41–46.

Hwang IH, Thompson JM (2001a) The effect of time and type of electrical stimulation on the calpain system and meat tenderness in beef longissimus dorsi muscle. Meat Science 58, 135–144.
The effect of time and type of electrical stimulation on the calpain system and meat tenderness in beef longissimus dorsi muscle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXit1Wgurg%3D&md5=270f7e9f2075e49cd0428af203c46a10CAS | 22062108PubMed |

Hwang IH, Thompson JM (2001b) The interaction between pH and temperature decline early postmortem on the calpain system and objective tenderness in electrically stimulated beef longissimus dorsi muscle. Meat Science 58, 167–174.
The interaction between pH and temperature decline early postmortem on the calpain system and objective tenderness in electrically stimulated beef longissimus dorsi muscle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXit1Wgurc%3D&md5=40939faba202cd6c32db4d2d60e5d1ecCAS | 22062112PubMed |

Hwang IH, Devine CE, Hopkins DL (2003) The biochemical and physical effects of electrical stimulation on beef and sheep meat tenderness – a review. Meat Science 65, 677–691.
The biochemical and physical effects of electrical stimulation on beef and sheep meat tenderness – a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXktVOnsLg%3D&md5=33d6c703a2229fe4940cd9db220c0b32CAS | 22063428PubMed |

Khliji S, van de Ven R, Lamb TA, Lanza M, Hopkins DL (2010) Relationship between consumer ranking of lamb colour and objective measures of colour. Meat Science 85, 224–229.
Relationship between consumer ranking of lamb colour and objective measures of colour.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3c3ks1amuw%3D%3D&md5=d2512e15f78e38b8bb91a6cf85d1d933CAS | 20374889PubMed |

Kim BYH, Stuart A, Nygard G, Rosenvold K (2012) High pre rigor temperature limits the ageing potential of beef that is not completely overcome by electrical stimulation and muscle restraining. Meat Science 91, 62–68.
High pre rigor temperature limits the ageing potential of beef that is not completely overcome by electrical stimulation and muscle restraining.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XjtVCmsLg%3D&md5=1f902cbe6afe74ff48f6d5b2ac116177CAS |

Locker RH, Hagyard CJ (1963) A cold shortening effect in beef muscles. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 14, 787–793.
A cold shortening effect in beef muscles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaF2cXlsFOiug%3D%3D&md5=ebcef65dee72d68932c06451127cd7e1CAS |

MacDougall DB (1995) Colour of meat. In ‘Quality attributes and their measurement in meat, poultry and fish products. Advances in Meat Research Vol. 9’. (Eds AM Pearson, DR Dutson) pp. 79–93. (Springer: Berlin)

Offer G (1991) Modelling of the formation of pale, soft and exudative meat: effects of chilling regime and rate and extent of glycolysis. Meat Science 30, 157–184.
Modelling of the formation of pale, soft and exudative meat: effects of chilling regime and rate and extent of glycolysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3MXmslygu7Y%3D&md5=ab78c2132e3b69fa280d2bb8d1e81744CAS | 22061833PubMed |

Pike MM, Ringkob TP, Beekman DD, Koh YO, Gerthoffer WT (1993) Quadratic relationship between early-post-mortem glycolytic rate and beef tenderness. Meat Science 34, 13–26.
Quadratic relationship between early-post-mortem glycolytic rate and beef tenderness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXisFeltrk%3D&md5=4e8f2f89c9df9b4b2b21d0dec19eddf1CAS | 22060264PubMed |

R Development Core Team (2010) ‘R: a language and environment for statistical computing.’ (R Foundation for Statistical Computing: Vienna). Available at http://www.R-project.org [Verified 15 April 2013]

Rosenvold K, North M, Devine C, Micklander E, Hansen P, Dobbie P, Wells R (2008) The protective effect of electrical stimulation and wrapping on beef tenderness at high pre-rigor temperatures. Meat Science 79, 299–306.
The protective effect of electrical stimulation and wrapping on beef tenderness at high pre-rigor temperatures.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22062758PubMed |

Shen QW, Du M, Means WJ (2009) Regulation of post-mortem glycolysis and meat quality. In ‘Applied muscle biology and meat science’. (Eds M Du, R McCormick) pp. 175–194. (CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group: Boca Raton, FL)

Strydom PE, Frylinck L, Smith MF (2005) Should electrical stimulation be applied when cold shortening is not at risk? Meat Science 70, 733–742.
Should electrical stimulation be applied when cold shortening is not at risk?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3Mbns1Wmsw%3D%3D&md5=482601dd9c927aeddabee0fbdddf1da7CAS | 22063900PubMed |

Thompson JM (2002) Managing meat tenderness. Meat Science 62, 295–308.
Managing meat tenderness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Thomson KL, Gardner GE, Simmons N, Thompson JM (2008) Length of exposure to high post-rigor temperatures affects the tenderisation of the beef M. longissimus dorsi. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 1442–1450.
Length of exposure to high post-rigor temperatures affects the tenderisation of the beef M. longissimus dorsi.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Tornberg E (1996) Biophysical aspects of meat tenderness. Meat Science 43, S175–S191.
Biophysical aspects of meat tenderness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Unruh JA, Kastner CL, Kropf DH, Dikeman ME, Hunt MC (1986) Effects of low-voltage electrical stimulation during exsanguination on meat quality and display colour stability. Meat Science 18, 281–293.
Effects of low-voltage electrical stimulation during exsanguination on meat quality and display colour stability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MbmvFalsA%3D%3D&md5=a8aa37a737e6f2adf88ed75b5a983df2CAS | 22055733PubMed |

van de Ven RJ, Pearce KL, Hopkins DL (2014) Post-mortem modelling of pH and temperature in related lamb carcases. Meat Science 96, 1034–1039.
Post-mortem modelling of pH and temperature in related lamb carcases.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhvV2gu7jP&md5=8935549e17fae2bf1a5340bea5b609b0CAS | 23102639PubMed |

Warner RD, Thompson JM, Polkinghorne R, Gutzke D, Kearney GA (2014a) A consumer sensory study of the influence of rigor temperature on eating quality and ageing potential of beef striploin and rump. Animal Production Science 54, 396–406.
A consumer sensory study of the influence of rigor temperature on eating quality and ageing potential of beef striploin and rump.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Warner RD, Dunshea FR, Gutzke D, Lau J, Kearney G (2014b) Factors influencing the incidence of high rigor temperature in beef carcasses in Australia. Animal Production Science 54, 363–374.
Factors influencing the incidence of high rigor temperature in beef carcasses in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Watson R, Polkinghorne R, Thompson JM (2008) Development of the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) prediction model for beef palatability. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, 1368–1379.
Development of the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) prediction model for beef palatability.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Witte VC, Krause GF, Bailey ME (1970) A new extraction method for determining 2-thiobarbituric acid values of pork and beef during storage. Journal of Food Science 35, 582–585.
A new extraction method for determining 2-thiobarbituric acid values of pork and beef during storage.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE3MXmtlahsQ%3D%3D&md5=0b7387b82668e2f93f80dfb62b7e26c8CAS |