It is believed that two main proteolytic systems are involved in the tenderization of meat: the cathepsins and the calpains. Many researchers consider the calpain system to be the major contributor to meat tenderness during post-mortem storage. However, the role and activity of cathepsins during post-mortem storage or low temperature meat processing is unclear, particularly for the tough meat cuts like brisket. Thus, the study was designed to investigate the effects of cold (refrigerated and frozen) storage and sous vide processing on the activities of cathepsin B, H, and L in beef brisket. There were no significant changes in pH and cathepsin H activity throughout the 18 d of storage at both temperatures. However, an increase in cathepsin B activity was observed during the first 4 d at both storage temperatures, but subsequently the activity remained unchanged. Cathepsins B and L were found to be more heat stable at sous vide temperatures (50℃ for 24 h, 55℃ for 5 h and at 60℃ and 70℃ for 1 h) compared to cathepsin H. Cathepsin B+L activity was found to increase after sous vide cooking at 50℃ for 1 h but decreased to about 47% relative to the uncooked control after 24 h of cooking. These results suggest that cathepsins B and L may contribute to the improved meat tenderness usually seen in sous vide cooked brisket meat.
Meat proteolytic systems play a crucial role in meat tenderisation. Understanding the effects of processing technologies and post-mortem storage conditions on these systems is important due to their crucial role in determining the quality characteristics of meat and meat products. It has recently been proposed that tenderisation occurs due to the synergistic action of numerous endogenous proteolytic systems. There is strong evidence suggesting the importance of μcalpain during the initial post-mortem aging phase, while m-calpain may have a role during long-term aging. The caspase proteolytic system is also a candidate for cell degradation in the initial stages of conversion of muscle to meat. The role of cathepsins, which are found in the lysosomes, in post-mortem aging is controversial. Lysosomes need to be ruptured, through aging, or other forms of processing to release cathepsins into the cytosol for participation in proteolysis. A combination of optimum storage conditions along with suitable processing may accelerate protease activity within meat, which can potentially lead to improved meat tenderness. Processing technologies such as high pressure, ultrasound, and shockwave processing have been reported to disrupt muscle structure, which can facilitate proteolysis and potentially enhance the aging process. This paper reviews the recent literature on the impacts of processing technologies along with post-mortem storage conditions on the activities of endogenous proteases in meat. The information provided in the review may be helpful in selecting optimum post-mortem meat storage and processing conditions to achieve improved muscle tenderness within shorter aging and cooking times.
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