Effects of a humidity-stabilizing sheet on the color and K value of beef stored at cold temperatures.

ABSTRACT

The effects of a humidity-stabilizing sheet containing glycerol, on the color and K value of beef stored at cold temperatures were investigated in this study. A drip-absorbing sheet seems to be effective for the preservation of meat quality, while a humidity-stabilizing sheet containing glycerol prevents the increase of metmyoglobin in cold stored beef. Maintaining samples wrapped in humidity-stabilizing sheets containing glycerol at low temperature for 7days was a functional method for conserving the concentration of inosine monophosphate. Beef samples wrapped in sheets containing glycerol had lower K values than samples wrapped in sheets not containing glycerol. When the surface of the meat starts to desiccate, the humidity-stabilizing sheet releases moisture that has been absorbed from the beef in the early stages of storage. Thus, glycerol could potentially play a role as a humidity-stabilizing controller and color preservative. This research suggests that a humidity-stabilizing sheet containing glycerol is a useful moisture controller and prevents deterioration of meat quality, discoloration, and desiccation.