Effect of marination in lemon juice on beef tenderization and in vitro gastric digestibility

There is limited knowledge regarding digestion and absorption of nutrients after cooked marinated meat is ingested. Most of the previous studies on food gastric digestion have focused on chemical digestion and did not reflect upon physical digestion driven by peristalsis. In the present study, we examined the effects of marinating beef in lemon juice on gastric digestibility using a human gastric digestion simulator (GDS) that mimics peristaltic motion called antral contraction waves.

Beef thigh slices were marinated in 100% lemon juice for 1 h and then grilled; an image of a stained tissue sample revealed that muscle tissue contraction (i.e. that usually occurs upon cooking) was suppressed. The measurement of physical properties using a rheometer and texture analyzer showed that the meat marinated in lemon juice had a soft texture. In vitro digestion experiments using the GDS revealed that the extent of both physical digestion driven by peristalsis and chemical digestion catalyzed by digestive enzymes was enhanced by the lemon juice marinade.

The results of the present study suggest that marinating beef in lemon juice affects nutrient digestibility. An integrated evaluation of tissue structure, physical properties and GDS digestion to analyze meat digestion would enhance our understanding of the effects of seasoning and cooking methods on meat. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.