The effect of storage temperature on drip loss from fresh beef

The effect of post rigor storage temperature on drip loss of two bovine mus cles (M longissimus thoracis and M semimembranosus) was examined using 12 D utch Friesian Holstein bulls. Drip loss of both longissimus and semi- membr anosus muscles was influenced by post rigor storage temperature. Higher sto rage temperatures resulted in increased drip losses, probably caused by a d ecrease in viscosity of the drip. The increase was most marked for the M lo ngissimus thoracis. The relationship between drip loss and storage temperat ure was not linear; drip loss was found to be less affected by storage temp erature as the latter was increased. The observed relationship could not be explained by a decrease in viscosity of the drip at higher temperatures al one. It was thought that faster ageing of the meat at elevated temperatures might increase the myofibrillar water-holding capacity, resulting in a dec reased drip loss. However, this hypothesis requires further research. (C) 1 998 Society of Chemical. Industry.