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Aging Method, Usda Quality Grade, And Endpoint Temperature Affect Eating Quality Of Beef Longissimus Lumborum Steaks, E. Obuz, V. Gok, L. Akaya, Michael E. Dikeman

Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station Research Reports

Tenderness is one of the most important factors affecting consumers' perceptions and acceptance of palatability. Tenderness is affected by both myofibrillar proteins and connective tissue content and quality. Both marbling and carcass maturity can have a significant effect on beef palatability, with higher consumer sensory scores generally given to USDA Choice loin steaks than to Select steaks for tenderness, juiciness, and overall palatability. Endpoint temperature can also have a significant effect, with higher endpoint temperatures generally decreasing palatability. Aging beef is a common practice in the meat industry because it increases tenderness and flavor development. The meat industry generally utilizes …