Top sirloin butts (n = 162) were used to investigate the influence of quality classification, aging period, blade tenderization passes, and endpoint cooking temperature on the tenderness of gluteus medius steaks. Top sirloin butts (gluteus medius) from Select (SEL), Choice (CHO), and Certified Angus Beef (CAB) carcasses were obtained, aged for 7, 14, or 21 d, and either not tenderized or blade tenderized one or two times. Three steaks from each top sirloin butt were randomly selected and assigned to a final endpoint cooking temperature of 65.5, 71.0, or 76.6 degrees C. Cooking characteristics and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) were analyzed as a split-plot with a 3 x 3 x 3 factorial treatment structure of quality classification, aging period, and tenderization passes in the whole plot and endpoint cooking temperature in the subplot. Sensory panel data for CHO steaks cooked to 70 degrees C were analyzed with a 3 x 3 factorial treatment structure of aging period and tenderization passes. Thawing loss was greater (P < 0.05) for steaks aged 7 d than those aged 21 d. Cooking loss was greater (P < 0.05) for steaks aged for 14 and 21 d than those aged 7 d, and increased (P < 0.05) with each increasing endpoint temperature. Each increase in aging period resulted in lower (P < 0.05) WBSF values. In addition, steaks blade tenderized two times had lower (P < 0.05) WBSF values than steaks blade tenderized once or not at all. Within each quality classification, WBSF values increased (P < 0.05) as endpoint cooking temperature increased. When cooked to 71 or 76.6 degrees C, CHO and CAB steaks had lower (P < 0.05) WBSF than SEL steaks. Steaks blade tenderized one or two times received higher (P < 0.05) sensory panel ratings for myofibrillar and overall tenderness than steaks not blade tenderized. Connective tissue amount and overall tenderness ratings were higher (P < 0.05) for steaks aged 21 vs. 7 d. Postmortem aging and blade tenderization of gluteus medius steaks can improve tenderness, as measured by WBSF and sensory panel, without decreasing flavor or juiciness. When cooking to higher endpoint temperatures, higher quality classifications should be selected to minimize toughness due to cooking.

A questionnaire to determine the use of blade tenderizers in beef fabrication facilities was sent to 241 members of the North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP). Eighty-four percent of the 90 respondents used blade tenderizers. These subprimals were at least sometimes tenderized by the following percentages of respondents: tenderloins, 7.9; chuck cuts, 18; round cuts, 36; ribeyes, 38; strip loins, 56; and top sirloin butts, 62. If a processor blade-tenderized a particular cut, they tenderized a majority of their production for that cut, generally with multiple passes through the tenderizer. For example, the 62% of respondents who tenderized top sirloin butts tenderized 87% of their production of that cut with an average of 1.6 passes. Cuts were aged by 70.7% of respondents that used blade tenderizers. The average aging period was 20 days, and the range was 7 to 60 days. Our respondents fabricated 75.1% of their beef products for the hotel/restaurant industry, 13.3% for retail, and 6.0% for other markets such as export or warehouse distributors. Blade tenderization is used widely by NAMP members, most often on ribeyes, strip loins, and top sirloin butts, and often combined with aging. SummaryA questionnaire to determine the use of blade tenderizers in beef fabrication facilities was sent to 241 members of the North American Meat Processors Association (NAMP). Eighty-four percent of the 90 respondents used blade tenderizers. These subprimals were at least sometimes tenderized by the following percentages of respondents: tenderloins, 7.9; chuck cuts, 18; round cuts, 36; ribeyes, 38; strip loins, 56; and top sirloin butts, 62. If a processor blade-tenderized a particular cut, they tenderized a majority of their production for that cut, generally with multiple passes through the tenderizer. For example, the 62% of respondents who tenderized top sirloin butts tenderized 87% of their production of that cut with an average of 1.6 passes. Cuts were aged by 70.7% of respondents that used blade tenderizers. The average aging period was 20 days, and the range was 7 to 60 days. Our respondents fabricated 75.1% of their beef products for the hotel/restaurant industry, 13.3% for retail, and 6.0% for other markets such as export or warehouse distributors. Blade tenderization is used widely by NAMP members, most often on ribeyes, strip loins, and top sirloin butts, and often combined with aging.

Effects of quality grade, aging period, blade tenderization, and degree of Effects of quality grade, aging period, blade tenderization, and degree of doneness on tenderness of inside round steaks doneness on tenderness of inside round steaks

Effects of postmortem aging period and blade tenderization on sensory traits of beef steaks AbstractWe used 54 strip loins, 54 top sirloin butts, and 54 inside rounds, all USDA Choice grade, to determine the influence of different postmortem aging periods and blade tenderization passes on sensory panel traits. Cuts were aged for 7, 14, or 21 days and not tenderized (0X) or blade tenderized one (1X) or two (2X) times. All steaks were cooked to 160°F internally, and samples were evaluated by a trained sensory panel for flavor intensity, juiciness, myofibrillar tenderness, connective tissue amount, and overall tenderness. Both longer aging periods and blade tenderization passes improved tenderness of strip loin and top sirloin butt steaks without affecting either flavor or juiciness, but did not affect tenderness of top round steaks. Therefore, meat purveyors should use these technologies to improve tenderness and consistency of strip loin and top sirloin butt steaks. AbstractWe used 54 strip loins, 54 top sirloin butts, and 54 inside rounds, all USDA Choice grade, to determine the influence of different postmortem aging periods and blade tenderization passes on sensory panel traits. Cuts were aged for 7, 14, or 21 days and not tenderized (0X) or blade tenderized one (1X) or two (2X) times. All steaks were cooked to 160°F internally, and samples were evaluated by a trained sensory panel for flavor intensity, juiciness, myofibrillar tenderness, connective tissue amount, and overall tenderness. Both longer aging periods and blade tenderization passes improved tenderness of strip loin and top sirloin butt steaks without affecting either flavor or juiciness, but did not affect tenderness of top round steaks. Therefore, meat purveyors should use these technologies to improve tenderness and consistency of strip loin and top sirloin butt steaks.

Effects of quality grade, aging period, blade tenderization, and degree of Effects of quality grade, aging period, blade tenderization, and degree of doneness on tenderness of strip loin doneness on tenderness of strip loin