Effects of aging methods combined with enzyme treatments on the quality parameters of beef striploins

The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of different enzyme (papain, bromelain and fungal protease) treatments and aging methods (dry and wet aging) on physico-chemical and microbiological parameters, lipid oxidation, sarcomere length, colour, shear force and sensory attributes of beef striploins during 28-day aging period. For this purpose, Longissimus lumborum muscles (n = 24, 12 carcasses) at 24h postmortem were subjected to dry (2 ± 1 °C, 75% relative humidity and 2m/s air-flow) and wet (vacuum-packaged, 2 ± 1 °C) aging methods after enzyme treatments. The microbial growth (P < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (P < 0.001) in wet-aged beef were lower than dry-aged beef, and a decrease in those treated with fungal protease was observed (P < 0.05), while an increase in sarcomere length and water holding capacity, and a decrease in cooking losses were provided with dry aging (P < 0.001). Dry aging combined with papain enzyme enhanced and accelerated meat tenderization in a reduced aging time (P < 0.001), whereas an improvement in flavour and aroma was achieved with bromelain and fungal protease treatments. Surface colour of dry and wet-aged beef showed significant differences during aging period (P < 0.05), while lower b∗, h∗ values and metmyoglobin content were recorded in enzyme-treated striploins. Consequently, combined usage of aging methods with enzyme treatments can be preferred as an effective application to improve the tenderness and palatability of beef with accelerated aging period, and provides an opportunity for meat industry to supply value adding beef in a shorter time.