Objective: We aimed to evaluate the color and oxidative stability of beef gluteus medius (GM) from cattle raised in organic and non-organic production systems.Methods: GM samples (n=10) were obtained from organic (ORG; n = 5) or non-organic (NORG; n = 5) beef samples, sliced into 2.54-cm steaks, packaged in aerobic conditions, and stored for nine days at 4°C. ORG and NORG steaks were compared regarding myoglobin concentration, pH, instrumental color, delta E (∆E), metmyoglobin reducing activity, and lipid oxidation on days 0, 5, and 9. Results: Feeding system did not influence (P > 0.05) the myoglobin concentration. ORG steaks exhibited greater (P < 0.05) meat pH, yellowness, and MRA, whereas NORG steaks exhibited greater (P < 0.05) redness, chroma, R630/580, delta E, and lipid oxidation. ORG and NORG steaks exhibited similar (P > 0.05) lightness and hue angle. During storage, ORG and NORG exhibited an increase in muscle pH, hue angle, and lipid oxidation; and a decrease (P < 0.05) in redness, yellowness, chroma, and color stability (R630/580). Both samples exhibited a stable (P > 0.05) pattern for lightness and MRA.
Conclusion:Therefore, the production system can affect beef color and lipid stability during storage.