Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026

Exploring the Longissimus Muscle: Unraveling its Correlation with Meat Quality in Bos indicus and Crossbred Bulls
Published on: July 12, 2024
Colour of beef heated to different temperatures as related to meat ageing
L Gašperlin1, B Zlender, V Abram
1University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Jamnikarjeva 101, 1111 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Abstract:
The effects of ageing (10-12 days at +5°C), thermal treatment (internal temperature, T(i): 45, 60, 75°C) and oxygenation on the colour and some colour related physical and biochemical parameters of beef longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were studied. The colour components (L(∗), a(∗) and b(∗) values) for the raw and heated LD, both before and after ageing and oxygenation, were instrumentally and sensorily evaluated. Ageing influenced colour components (except b(∗) value), specific activity of cytochrome c oxidase (SACCO) and amount of oxygen consumed (AOC). An increase in internal temperature was usually accompanied by a lower SACCO, AOC and total native muscle pigment concentration, as well as a change in all colour parameters. Oxygenation of the raw and heated slices (except T(i)=75°C) led to a less of black colour and a higher of red colour, a(∗) and b(∗) values.
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