Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three common food grade organic acids – citric, acetic and ascorbic on quality properties of fresh beef preserved for 14 days. 1 kg of fresh beef (thigh muscle) of White Fulani cow was purchased at Ayetoro market in Yewa North local government Area of Ogun State and was divided into 4 equal parts of 250 g per treatment replicated three times. The acids were purchased at Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) Lagos. 5% each of the organic acid was prepared and constituted an experimental treatment, freezing was used as control. Thus: T1 = Freezing (control), T2 = Citric acid, T3 = Acetic acid, T4 = Ascorbic acid. 10ml of each organic acid solution was injected into 250 g fresh beef with a needle and syringe and immersed in the same solution in covered plastic containers, stored at room temperature (27 ºC).

The results showed that most of the physicochemical properties of the preserved beef were better (P < 0.05) in treatment 3, also. Lipid oxidation and microbial values were lower (P < 0.05) in the same treatment. However, acceptability of beef in treatment3 was lower (P < 0.05) because colour and flavour scores beef were lower (P < 0.05). It was suggested therefore, that lower concentrations of acetic acid be tested in a separate study to ascertain concentration level that will confer higher colour flavour and acceptability scores on beef since acetic acid favoured almost all tested properties and of preserved beef in this study.

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