Physical and Sensory Properties of Restructured Beef Steaks Formulated with Various Flake Sizes and Mixing Times.

Restructured cow beef steaks were made using six different flake size formulations: (a) coarse, (b) medium, (c) fine, (d) coarse + medium, (e) medium + fine and (f) coarse + fine meat flakes. Each formulation was mixed for 0, 5, 10 or 15 min, pressed into "logs", frozen and cut into steaks. Steaks were evaluated for physical appearance, fat and moisture content, cooking properties, texture and sensory attributes. Steaks made from the coarse flakes had large fat particles and therefore received lower (P<0.05) ratings for physical appearance. Restructured steaks made from the fine particles were more tender (P<0.05) and received significantly higher (P<0.05) textural desirability and overall palatability ratings than restructured steaks made from coarse particles. A mixing time of 5 min resulted in higher scores (P<0.05) for juiciness and tenderness as compared to restructured steaks made from meat mixed for 15 min. Mixing time had no significant effect on cooking losses or binding strength.

Effect of Added Wheat Gluten and Mixing Time on Physical and Sensory Properties of Spent Fowl Restructured Steaks.

Spent fowl meat (50 % dark/50% white meat) was flaked and formulated to include: (a) no added wheat gluten (control), (b) 1 % wheat gluten and (c) 2% wheat gluten. Each formulation was mixed for 5 min, half was removed and the remainder was mixed an additional 10 min. After mixing, each formulation was pressed into logs, frozen and cut into steaks. Steaks were evaluated for fat and moisture content, cooking loss, textural properties and sensory attributes. Neither addition of wheat gluten nor mixing time had any significant effect on moisture and fat content or total cooking losses. Texture desirability ratings showed a preference for the firmer steaks made with added gluten and mixed for 15 min. These steaks were also rated as being more juicy. Addition of 2% wheat gluten adversely affected flavor desirability.

Precooking and Flake Size Effects on Spent Fowl Restructured Steaks.

Four formulations of spent fowl muscle, each made to contain 40% dark muscle and 60% white muscle, were prepared as follows: (a) raw meat, large flake size; (b) raw meat, small flake size; (c) precooked meat, large flake size and (d) precooked meat, small flake size. Each formulation was mixed with 0.3% NaCl, 0.25% Na tripolyphosphate and 0.25% hydrolyzed vegetable protein for 10 min, pressed into logs under 400 psi, frozen and cut into steaks. Steaks were evaluated for moisture and fat content, cooking properties, texture and sensory attributes. Restructured steaks made from precooked chicken muscle had lower initial moisture contents and lost less moisture during cooking than restructured steaks made from raw meat. Flake size had no significant effect on cooking losses; however, the smaller flake sizes contributed to a more tender product. Steaks made from the raw chicken meat were of a more acceptable flavor. Restructured steaks made from raw flakes were significantly more desirable in texture and overall palatability and were more tender and juicy than restructured steaks made from precooked chicken.