Evaluation of electric belt grill, forced-air convection oven, and electric broiler cookery methods for beef tenderness research

Evaluation of citrus fiber as a natural alternative to sodium tripolyphosphate in marinated boneless broiler chicken breast and inside beef skirt (transversus abdominis)

OBJECTIVE

This research was conducted to evaluate the effects of citrus fiber (CF) as a natural alternative to sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) in marinated broiler boneless chicken breast and inside beef skirt on overall retention rate, shear force, and consumer sensory attributes.

METHODS

Five different marinade formulations were targeted to include 0.9% salt, either 0.25% or 0.50% STPP or CF and water on a finished product basis. Water and salt only were considered the negative control (CON). Chicken breasts (n = 14) and inside beef skirt (n = 14) were randomly assigned to a treatment, raw weights recorded and then placed in a vacuum tumbler. Marinated weights were recorded, individually packed, and randomly assigned to either retail display for 10-day retention rate, shear force analysis, cook loss, or consumer sensory panel.

RESULTS

Pickup percentage, and overall retention was similar among treatments for chicken breast and inside beef skirt. Citrus fiber treatments resulted in higher cooking loss compared to the CON in chicken breast; though, CF050 resulted in similar cooking loss compared to STPP025 in inside beef skirt. No differences were found in sensory attributes for chicken breast, however, WBSF data showed CF025 was tougher than CF050, STPP050, and CON. Inside beef skirt with CF050 were least liked overall by the consumer panel.

CONCLUSION

Citrus fiber included in marinades at a lower percentage rate can produce similar texture characteristics, and sensory properties compared with those marinated with STPP.

Water status evolution of pork blocks at different cooking procedures: A two-dimensional LF-NMR T1-T2 relaxation study

A two-dimensional low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) T₁-T₂ relaxation technique was developed to contrast the water status evolution during different cooking procedures (steam and boiling cooking). Meat quality, water distribution, microstructure and protein properties were determined. The results showed that steamed meats had lower cooking loss and shear force, but higher redness, proton relaxation intensity (T₁ and T₂) and proton density than boiled meats. The differences in water distribution between the two cooking procedures appeared at approximately 40 °C, with acceleration at 60 °C, and the most remarkable difference was shown at 80 °C. Boiling resulted in more damage to muscle structure and greater protein denaturation than steam cooking. Meanwhile, α-helixes and β-turns increased, but β-sheets and random coils decreased in steamed meats compared with boiled meats. Changes in microstructural and protein properties were closely associated with water status evolution in cooked meat during cooking.

The influence of age and gender on the quality of raw and roasted wild boars (Sus scrofa) meat

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of age and gender on the chemical composition, colour, texture and sensory attributes of wild boars meat (Sus scrofa, n = 48). The animals were analysed in 6 groups (n = 8), differed in age (piglets below 1 year, yearlings 1-2 years, and adults over 2 years) and gender (male and female). Protein content in raw meat was affected by age, whereas in roasted meat by animals gender. Colour parameters, excluding lightness, were affected by animals age and values of a*, b* and C increased along the animal age. Roasted meat from piglets showed the lowest hardness and chewiness in TPA test, however shear force was similar for piglets and yearling, yet lower than adults. Age affected sensory quality of roasted meat and meat from yearlings was scored higher than from adults. The results of the study clearly indicate the predominant influence of wild boar age over gender on the meat quality.

The influence of muscle, ageing and thermal treatment method on the quality of cooked beef

The study was undertaken to investigate the effect of muscle, thermal treatment, and ageing on the beef quality. The longissimus lumborum (LL) and semimembranosus (SM) muscles were taken from Holstein–Friesian young bull carcasses then subjected to steam-cooking and sous-vide after 9 and 14-d wet ageing. It was shown that characteristics of cooked beef were the most significantly affected by thermal treatment method. Using sous-vide provided beef with lower shear force and cooking loss values, darker, and more red colour and more beneficial sensory quality. LL and SM muscles showed a similar quality when subjected to the same thermal treatment method after the same ageing time. It is possible to obtain juicy and tender beef from Holstein–Friesian bulls after 9-d ageing and sous-vide treatment.

Physicochemical and microbial characteristics of longissimus lumborum and biceps femoris muscles in Korean native black goat with wet-aging time

This study examined the effects of different wet-aging times on the physicochemical characteristics and microbial profile of longissimus lumborum (LL) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles from Korean native black goat (KNBG) meat. The water holding capacity (WHC), pH, cooking loss, shear force, meat color, free amino acid, total bacteria, and coliform count of KNGB meat were analyzed at 0, 5, 10, and 15 days of wet-aging at 4°C under vacuum packaging. The results showed that different wet-aging times led to significant pH variations between the muscles throughout the aging period. The wet-aging time did not affect the WHC and cooking loss in meat from the LL muscle. In the BF muscle, however, meat wet-aged for five days had a significantly higher WHC and less cooking loss than meat aged for 0, 10, and 15 days. The meat from the LL muscle wet-aged for five days produced tenderer meat (low shear force value) than the unaged meat (p < 0.05). Moreover, the color was similar in the LL muscle regardless of the number of aging days. In the BF muscle, the redness (a*) was higher in the meat wet-aged for 15 days compared to that aged for 0, 5, and 10 days (p < 0.05). Regardless of the muscles, an increase in wet-aging time led to an increase in the total free amino acids contents in both muscles (p < 0.05). On the other hand, the tasty/bitter amino acid ratio was significantly higher for five days of wet-aged meat than 10 and 15 days of aging from the BF muscle. In addition, regardless of the muscles, the total bacteria and coliform counts were significantly lower for five days of wet-aged meat than 10 and 15 days of aging (p < 0.05). Therefore, chevon wet-aged for five days is an optimal aging period under vacuum packaging that fortifies meat quality with a minimal microbial negative defect.

The selected goose meat quality traits in relation to various types of heat treatment

The effect of water bath cooking (WBC), oven convection roasting (OCR), grilling (G), pan frying (PF) on selected physical properties of goose meat was compared in this study. A measurement of cooking loss, texture, color parameters, and sensory evaluation was carried out. The experimental material covered 96 breast muscles cut from carcasses of 17-week-old “Polish oat geese.” The kind of goose meat (with and without skin) and the type of heat treatment affected cooking loss, shear force (SF), and rheological parameters (hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness). The water bath–cooked and pan-fried samples for both kinds of meat were characterized by lower cooking loss than other ones. Goose meat with skin and subcutaneous fat showed higher cooking loss and lower SF value, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness than that without skin for all methods. The water bath–cooked samples were characterized by the lowest SF value, hardness, and chewiness for both kinds of meat. They had the highest value of L∗ parameter and were characterized by a lighter color among others, too. Pan-fried meat showed the highest value of a∗ and lowest of h^o parameters; the color of these samples was redder. Moreover, the lower C values of oven convection-roasted and grilled samples showed that they were brighter. According to the Comission Internationale de l’Eclairage classification, the ΔE parameter only for G and OCR indicated noticeable color differences (<2), whereas other pairs had visible differences. The method of cooking affected sensory descriptors such as the intensity of flavor and aroma, tenderness, juiciness, springiness, cohesiveness, and overall palatability of goose meat. The goose samples of PF, G, and OCR were characterized as very good and WBC as extremely desirable overall palatability. However, in the next stage of research, there is a need to study changes in the chemical composition, the degree of lipid oxidation, and the nutritional value of this meat that underwent different methods of cooking. Only then it will be possibly to clearly determine which method of the heat treatment of goose meat is optimal.

Cooking Method and USDA Quality Grade Affect Consumer Palatability and Flavor of Beef Strip Loin Steaks

Consumer sensory analysis (n = 288) was conducted, along with cooking loss, slice shear force (SSF), pressed juice percentage (PJP), and volatile compound analyses, to evaluate the effects of different dry heat cooking methods. Specifically, an electric clamshell grill (CLAM), flat top gas grill (FLAT), charbroiler gas grill (CHAR), and salamander gas broiler (SAL) were used to cook beef strip loin steaks from 4 USDA quality grades [Prime, Top (upper 2/3) Choice, Low (lower 1/3) Choice, and Select)] to determine the palatability. Cooking method and quality grade influenced (P < 0.01) consumer tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking. Steaks cooked on CHAR had greater (P < 0.05) flavor liking and subsequently greater overall liking than any other cooking method. Steaks cooked on FLAT were scored lower for tenderness and juiciness than any other cooking method (P < 0.05), whereas steaks cooked on CLAM had lower (P < 0.05) flavor liking scores than any other cooking method, excluding FLAT. Overall acceptance was greater (P < 0.05) for steaks cooked on CHAR compared to all other cooking methods, regardless of quality grade. Prime samples had greater scores than Low Choice and Select for tenderness, juiciness, flavor liking, and overall liking (P < 0.05), but Prime did not differ from Top Choice for all traits. No main effects or interactions influenced (P > 0.05) SSF or PJP. Both cooking method and quality grade impacted (P < 0.05) the headspace concentration of some volatile compounds in the alcohol, n-aldehyde, Strecker aldehyde, and furan groups. Cooking method also affected all pyrazines, and quality grade had an effect on 1 ketone (P < 0.05). These results indicate cooking method had a significant impact on consumer palatability ratings and objective measures of beef flavor, and those results were consistent across a range of quality grades.

Grilling temperature effects on tenderness, juiciness, flavor and volatile aroma compounds of aged ribeye, strip loin, and top sirloin steaks

Ribeye, top loin, and top sirloin steaks were assigned a grilling temperature setting (177°C, 205°C, or 232°C) and consumer panel, Warner-Bratzler shear force, trained sensory panel, and GC/MS - olfactory analyses were performed. No differences (P > 0.05) in consumer overall, tenderness, juiciness, appearance, and flavor liking were detected among steak type or grill temperature. Grill surface temperature had no effect (P > 0.05) on trained panel tenderness scores. Of the volatiles present during an aroma event, pyrazine compounds were most influenced by grill surface temperature. The tenderness and juiciness of steaks grilled at differing temperatures were not perceived to be different by consumers; however, grilling temperature impacted the flavor of the final product by generating more pyrazine compounds. Steaks in this study likely were too tender to have a grilling effect on tenderness, but selecting different grilling temperatures can be used to vary the amount of browning of steaks and/or to modify aroma volatile compounds.

Using microwave cooking to evaluate tenderness and its relationship to sensory analysis

This study evaluated a microwave (Mw) cooking method for determining beef toughness using the Warner-Bratzler slice shear force (WBsSF) protocol. Longissimus thoracis muscles were aged for 1, 10, 19, and 28 days at 4C. They were then either cooked on a clam-shell grill until reaching an internal temperature of 72C, in a Mw for 100 s at maximum power (Mw100) or for 140 s at 60% of maximum power (Mw60). Cooking loss and shear force (SF) values were higher in Mw samples than in grilled ones. SF assessment by grill and Mw100 were able to discriminate tenderness by aging times in the same way as the sensory panel. The SF measured in a grilled sample had higher repeatability (R = .74) and correlation with sensory scores (r = -.79) than Mw100 (R = .61; r = -.62) and Mw60 (R = .51; r = -.53). Mw100 can be considered as an appropriate alternative for the WBsSF protocol. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Tenderness is the most important attribute for consumers. Many studies have evaluated tenderness in meat and different protocols for cooking. This work was intended to optimize and evaluate the use of the microwave as a cooking method for shear force determination, against a standard protocol and establish the correlation to sensory tenderness.

Microwave as a rapid cooking method for beef tenderness evaluation

Semitendinosus (ST) muscle steaks were grouped according to three locations (proximal, middle, and distal end), grilled to endpoint temperature of 71C or cooked for 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 s in a microwave oven (Mw). The location did not affect (p > .05) the cooking loss (CL) or shear force (SF) values. The CL increased (p < .05) with longer microwave cooking times, but only the Mw40 samples did not differ (p > .05) from the grill samples. None of the microwaves' SF values were different (p > .05) from the grill values, with treatments Mw30 to Mw50 showing moderate repeatability (R = 0.51-0.60) and Mw30 and Mw60 showing higher correlations (r > .71) with grill values. Cooking beef strips with a microwave is a potential method for tenderness evaluation, but requires additional study to evaluate and optimize this application in different muscles and for comparison to sensorial data.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The work was intended to evaluate the possibility of using a microwave oven for cooking meat to be used in objective measurement protocols for meat tenderness and to optimize the conditions for this purpose. The use of a standardized microwave procedure allows a dramatic reduction in analysis time and may reduce error variance due to nonuniform cooking procedures.

Comparison of Warner-Bratzler shear force values between round and square cross-section cores from cooked beef and pork Longissimus muscle

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of core sampling on Warner-Bratzler shear force evaluations of beef and pork loins (Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscles) and to determine the relationship between them. Steaks of 2.54 cm from beef and pork loins were cooked and five round cross-section cores and five square cross-section cores of each steak were taken for shear force evaluation. Core sampling influenced both beef and pork shear force values with higher (P<0.05) average values and standard deviations for square cross-section cores. There was a strong and linear relationship (P<0.01) between round and square cross-section cores for beef (R(2)=0.78), pork (R(2)=0.70) and for beef+pork (R(2)=0.82) samples. These results indicate that it is feasible to use square cross-section cores in Warner-Bratzler shear force protocol as an alternative and potential method to standardize sampling for shear force measurements.

Combining two proven mechanical tenderness measurements in one steak

This research was performed to determine the true efficacy of measuring both Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and slice shear force (SSF) in the same steak. The objectives were to compare cooking methods commonly used in preparing steaks for WBSF and SSF procedures and compare them at different cooling times. United States Department of Agriculture select strip loins (n = 240) were aged for either 7 or 14 d to increase the variation in tenderness. Each strip loin was then frozen and cut into 2.54-cm steaks. Steaks were then cooked to an internal temperature of 71°C using a convection conveyor oven (conveyor), a convection oven, clamshell grill, or an open hearth grill. Steaks were allotted to 4 different cooling times to create the combinations of: WBSF 4 h/SSF 0 h, WBSF 4 h/SSF 4 h, WBSF 24 h/SSF 0 h, WBSF 24 h/SSF 24 h. Five 1.25-cm cores were used for WBSF and one 1- by 5-cm slice for SSF. The WBSF from steaks cooked with conveyor were tougher than convection oven cooked steaks [51.9 Newtons (N) vs. 46.1 N; P < 0.05]. However, SSF were tougher when cooked in oven compared with those cooked in conveyor (267.5 N vs. 237.2 N; P < 0.05). Correlations for WBSF and SSF performed in the same steak ranged from 0.51 to 0.88 (P < 0.0001). The WBSF 24 h/SSF 0 h and WBSF 4 h/SSF 4 h had the strongest relationships (0.88 and 0.82, respectively; P < 0.05) between WBSF and SSF when using clamshell method. Performing WBSF and SSF in the same steak was successful based on moderate to high correlation values but the magnitude of the relationship is dependent on the combination of cooking method and cooling time.

Beef longissimus lumborum, biceps femoris, and deep pectoralis Warner-Bratzler shear force is affected differently by endpoint temperature, cooking method, and USDA quality grade

Effects of endpoint temperature, cooking method, and quality grade on Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) of beef longissimus lumborum (LL), biceps femoris (BF), and deep pectoralis (DP) muscles were evaluated. Eighteen of all three subprimals were selected from USDA Select and 18 from USDA Choice (Certified Angus Beef) carcasses for the respective muscles. Muscles were vacuum packaged and held at 1 °C for 14 days, frozen (-29 °C), sawed into 2.54-cm thick steaks, vacuum packaged, and stored frozen until cooking. Thawed steaks were cooked by either a Magikitch'n(®) electric belt-grill (BG) at 93 °C, or a water-bath at 93 °C, to one of nine endpoint temperatures: 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, or 80 °C. Belt-grill cooking was much faster and resulted in distinctly less cooking loss than water-bath cooking. Water-bath cooking resulted in higher (P<0.0001) Instron(®) WBSF (31.92 N) than BG (28.25 N) for LL. The combination of Select quality grade and higher endpoint temperatures resulted in higher (P<0.05) WBSF for LL. Two distinct phases of tenderization/toughening occurred for BF. Between 40 and 60 °C, WBSF decreased from 43.95 to 38.16 N (P<0.01), whereas between 60 and 70 °C, WBSF increased from 38.16 N to 44.44 N (P<0.05). Water-bath cooling resulted in higher (P=0.0001) DP WBSF (71.12 N) than BG (59.25 N). The DP had a distinct (P<0.0001) decline in WBSF between 45 and 65 °C, irrespective of the cooking method, followed by an increase between 65 and 80 °C (P<0.01).

Effect of different air/steam convection cooking methods on turkey breast meat: physical characterization, water status and sensory properties

Turkey breast samples were cooked using a forced convection oven at three relative humidity levels (RH=8, 35 and 88%) at 100°C. Cooking parameters (temperature, cook value, and yield), textural and sensory properties as well as water status of the samples were evaluated. The application of different RH levels resulted in different cooking performances and cooked meat quality. Low steam cooking conditions (RH=35%) significantly increased cooking yield (7% higher than the high steam cooking), moisture content and water-holding capacity and had a positive effect on perceived tenderness, as shown by sensory analysis, where steam cooked samples were perceived as the most tender. The more mobile protons of (1)H T(2) (relaxing at times longer than 1s) in low steam samples were related to the higher perceived tenderness. Low steam cooking allowed for less water consumption, making this process an attractive cooking method as compared to high steam, as it also resulted in higher quality cooked turkey meat.

Growth rate, body composition, and meat tenderness in early vs. traditionally weaned beef calves

One hundred forty spring-born Angus x Gelbvieh and purebred Angus steers were selected for study as early weaned (EW; average age at weaning = 90 +/- 30 d) or traditionally weaned (TW; average age at weaning = 174 +/- 37 d) steers that were non-implanted or implanted (Synovex-S, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Overland Park, KS). Initially, steers were sorted by age, sire, and farm, and then allotted randomly in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments of EW implanted (EWI), EW nonimplanted (EWN), TW implanted (TWI), or TW nonimplanted (TWN). Ultrasound measurements (US) of LM area (LMA), 12th rib fat thickness (US-BF), and marbling (US-M) were collected every 28 d during the time that steers were on feed. At 202 d of age, EW calves had larger US-LMA, US-BF, and BW than TW calves (37.9 vs. 32.3 cm2, 0.38 vs. 0.26 cm, and 271.6 vs. 218.9 kg, respectively; P < 0.001). At slaughter, EW calves had heavier HCW (290.4 vs. 279.7 kg, respectively; P < 0.05) and greater USDA marbling scores (51.25 vs. 46.26, respectively; P < 0.05) than TW calves; more EW steers graded USDA Choice or greater (P = 0.05). However, no differences were detected in BW (P = 0.15), LMA (P = 0.39), BF (P = 0.45), or liver abscess scores (P = 0.41). Twenty-four implanted steers were selected from the original group of 140 and sorted into two slaughter groups of 12. Twelve implanted steers from each weaning group, matched in slaughter BW but differing in age, were subsampled at slaughter to assess the effect of weaning age and chronological age on muscle tenderness. Younger animals had lower Warner-Bratzler shear force values (P < 0.001) than older calves after 14 d of postmortem aging; however, no differences were found in tenderness after 21 d of aging. Furthermore, there was greater variance (P < 0.001) in Warner-Bratzler shear force values among younger, EW steers vs. older, TW steers. These data provide evidence that early weaning of beef calves may be used as a tool to more effectively manage the cow-calf production system without compromising the quality of the offspring.

Variation in palatability and biochemical traits within and among eleven beef muscles

The objective of this study was to determine the extent of variation in, and relationships among, biochemical and palatability traits within and among 11 major beef muscles. Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LD), psoas major (PM), gluteus medius (GM), semimembranosus (SM), adductor (AD), biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST), rectus femoris (RF), triceps brachii (TB), infraspinatus (IS), and supraspinatus (SS) from one side of 31 Charolais x MARC III steer carcasses were vacuum-packaged, stored at 2 degrees C until 14 d postmortem, and then frozen at -30 degrees C. The 2.54-cm-thick steaks were obtained from two or three locations within muscles in order to assess biochemical traits and Warner-Bratzler shear force, and from near the center for sensory trait evaluation. The PM was most tender and was followed by IS in both shear force and tenderness rating (P < 0.05). The other muscles were not ranked the same by shear force and tenderness rating. The BF had the lowest (P < 0.05) tenderness rating. The PM, GM, and LD had lower (P < 0.05) collagen concentration (2.7 to 4.5 mg/g muscle) than muscles from the chuck and round (5.9 to 9.0 mg/g), except for the AD (4.9 mg/g). Desmin proteolysis was highest (P < 0.05) for BF and LD (60.7 and 60.1% degraded), and was lowest (P < 0.05) for PM (20.2%). The PM, TB, IS, RF, and ST had relatively long sarcomere lengths (> 2.1 microm), whereas the GM had the shortest (P < 0.05) sarcomere length (1.7 microm). Cooking loss was lowest (P < 0.05) for BF (18.7%) and was followed by LD and IS (20.7%); it was highest (P < 0.05) for ST (27.4%). Across all muscles, tenderness rating was highly correlated (r > 0.60) with shear force, connective tissue rating, sarcomere length, and collagen content. Within a muscle, correlations among all traits were generally highest in LD and lowest in AD. Within muscle, location effects were detected (P < 0.05) for shear force (PM, ST, BF, SM, and RF), sarcomere length (PM, ST, BF, LD, SS, IS, SM, and RF), collagen concentration (PM, BF, SS, IS, SM. AD, TB, and RF), desmin degradation (PM, GM, BF, SM, AD, and, RF), and cooking loss (all muscles except SS and AD). There is a large amount of variation within and among muscles for tenderness traits and tenderness-related biochemical traits. These results increase our understanding of the sources of variation in tenderness in different muscles and provide a basis for the development of muscle-specific strategies for improving the quality and value of muscles.

Chilling and cooking rate effects on some myofibrillar determinants of tenderness of beef

Our objectives were to examine the effects of prerigor excision and rapid chilling vs. conventional carcass chilling of two muscles on proteolysis and tenderness during the postmortem storage, as well as the effects of fast and slow rates of cooking on myofibrillar characteristics and tenderness. The longissimus thoracis (LT) and triceps brachii (TB), long head muscles were removed 45 min after exsanguination from the left side of 12 carcasses and chilled in an ice bath to induce cold shortening (excised, rapidly chilled). At 24 h postmortem, the corresponding muscles were removed from the right side (conventionally chilled). All muscles were cut into 2.54-cm-thick steaks and assigned to one of two postmortem times (1 or 14 d), and to raw and cooking treatments. Steaks were cooked at 260 degrees C (FAST) or 93 degrees C (SLOW) in a forced-air convection oven to an internal temperature of 70 degrees C. Cooking loss, cooking time, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) were measured on cooked steaks. Sarcomere length (SL) and the extent of proteolysis of desmin were measured on raw and cooked steaks. As expected, the excised, rapidly chilled muscles had a much more rapid (P < 0.05) temperature decline than those that were conventionally chilled. The excised, rapidly chilled treatment resulted in shorter (P < 0.05) SL, and SL was shorter (P < 0.05) in LT than in TB steaks. Raw steaks had longer (P < 0.05) SL than cooked steaks, regardless of chilling treatment. The FAST cooking resulted in shorter (P < 0.05) SL than SLOW cooking in conventionally chilled steaks, but cooking rate had no effect (P > 0.05) on SL of rapidly chilled steaks. Generally, TB steaks required longer (P < 0.05) cooking times and had higher (P < 0.05) cooking losses than LT steaks, and FAST-cooked steaks had greater (P < 0.05) cooking losses than SLOW-cooked steaks. Rapidly chilled steaks had less (P < 0.05) degradation of desmin than conventionally chilled steaks (31 vs. 41%). Aging for 14 d increased (P < 0.05) desmin degradation. Rapid chilling of muscles resulted in much higher (P < 0.05) WBSF values, whereas aging resulted in lower (P < 0.05) WBSF values. The SLOW-cooked TB steaks were more tender (P < 0.05) than FAST-cooked TB steaks and LT steaks cooked at either rate. Excised, rapidly chilled muscles underwent proteolysis, but it occurred at a slower rate during the first 24 h postmortem than it did in conventionally chilled muscles. Cooking rate did not affect tenderness of LT steaks, but SLOW cooking resulted in more tender TB steaks.