INFLUENCE OF BEEF MARBLING SCORE ON QUALITY INDICATORS DURING MEAT AGING

In the experiment, beef samples were used with the marbling scores «moderate» and «good» (n = 4). Half of the samples were packaged in a plastic film under vacuum, while the rest ones were left unpackaged. Aging was carried out for 4, 16, and 28 days in a storage chamber at a temperature of 2 ± 1 °C and a relative humidity of not more than 90 %. During beef aging, pH, sensory indicators of quality and freshness, microstructural indicators, and shear force were evaluated. Regardless of the marbling score, on day 28, sensory indicators of unpackaged beef had the signs of non-fresh meat, while the packaged samples had no deviations. Regardless of the marbling score, sensory evaluation indicated the high quality of boiled meat and broth during the entire aging period for packaged beef and during 16 days for unpackaged beef. Histological studies found that with the increase in beef aging period, the destructive changes in tissues increased as well. On days 16 and 28, samples of packaged beef, both with marbling score «good» and «moderate», corresponded to the second and third stage of meat aging. Changes in unpackaged beef at the corresponding days of aging were less pronounced. The results of a shear force study indicated that, during the entire observed aging period, a gradual decrease in shear force occurred.