Combined effect of modified atmosphere bulk packaging, dietary vitamin E supplementation and microbiological contamination on colour stability of Musculus gluteus medius

Ten Simmentaler type calves were fed diets supplemented with 500 mg vitamin E per day and ten fed control diets. After completion of a 100 day feeding period the cattle were slaughtered and rump steaks (M. gluteus medius) fro m each carcass PVC-over-wrapped and subsequently bulk packaged in 100% CO2 or 20% CO2: 80% O-2 Steaks with low levels of bacteriological contamination were also prepared and packaged. Bulk packs were stored at 4 degrees C for 0, 14, 28 and 42 days and the PVC-over-wrapped samples subsequently displa yed for 0, 4 and 7 days at 4 degrees C. After display saturation, surface m etmyoglobin and oxymyoglobin accumulation of the steaks were determined and acceptability of the steaks assessed by sensory evaluation using a trained panel. The dietary vitamin E supplemented steaks were more acceptable than the steaks from cattle not supplemented with vitamin E. Steaks prepared wi th low levels of bacteriological contamination, supplemented with dietary v itamin E, were more acceptable and discoloured less than all the other trea tments. Beef rump steaks bulk packaged in 20% CO2: 80% O-2 or 100% CO2 were acceptable and colour stable for up to 14 days bulk storage at 4 degrees C and a subsequent 2 days retail display at 4 degrees C. (C) 2000 Elsevier S cience Ltd. All rights reserved.