Comparison of Beef Palatability Characteristics between Longissimus Thoracis and Vastus Lateralis Muscles from Different Grades during Postmortem Aging.

The objectives of this study was to compare palatability changes of the longissimus thoracis (LT) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles of Hanwoo steers from different beef quality grades (1+ and 1) during 28 d of wet-aging in order to improve the utilization of the VL muscle as a steak. The VL muscle showed a higher collagen content and a lower intramuscular fat content than the LT muscle (p<0.05). As expected, the Warner-Bratzler shear force value was greater in the LT 1 grade (LT-1) muscle than the LT-1+ muscle (p<0.05); whereas no difference was observed between the grades in the VL muscle at 24 h postmortem. Compared to 0 d of aging, tenderness scores significantly increased after 14 and 21 d of aging in the LT and VL muscles, respectively (p<0.05). Additionally, there was no difference in tenderness score between the VL-1+ aged for 21 d and the LT-1 at 24 h postmortem, although tenderness score was greater in the LT than the VL at each period (p<0.05). Moreover, the VL-1+ steak exhibited a higher tenderness score than the VL-1 steak at 21 and 28 d of aging (p<0.05). On the other hand, the effect of aging time on juiciness and flavor in the VL muscle was somewhat limited unlike the LT muscle. Taken together, the VL muscle requires a longer aging time than the LT muscle to improve consumer preference. Considering the tenderness, using a higher quality grade for aging is more useful in the VL muscle.

Determination of Point of Sale and Consumption for Hanwoo Beef Based on Quality Grade and Aging Time.

This study aimed to determine the suitable point of sale and consumption of different quality grade (QG) Hanwoo short loin during aging period, based on physicochemical, sensory, and microbiological quality. Short loins obtained from the carcasses of 13 Hanwoo steers and 2 bulls with 5 different QGs (1++, 1+, 1, 2, and 3) were analyzed over 28 d. QG and aging time had significant effect on water holding capacity, color, shear force, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) content, and sensory traits. Higher QG groups generally exhibited a lower shear force, nucleotide content, and water holding capacity, and higher L*, a*, and b* values. Acceptable tenderness (shear force <5.4 kg) in QG 1++, 1+, 1, and 2 was achieved on days 7, 14, 16, and 18, respectively, and QG 3 showed a shear force of 6.8 kg, even after 28 d. Regardless of QG, TVBN content below threshold levels (20-30 mg%) was observed throughout the 28 d aging period, while total plate counts above 7 Log CFU/g were seen at 21 d. In conclusion, it is recommended that Hanwoo beef with QG 1++, 1+, and intermediate QG (1 and 2) should be sold or consumed between 7 and 21, 14 and 21, 16 and 21 d, respectively. Beef with QG 3 should be sold or consumed within 21 d, based on microbial growth, even though it has not achieved desirable tenderness. For this reason, an additional tenderizing process is recommended before this beef is ready for consumption.