Identifying storage thresholds in frozen and chilled lamb meat

Cassius Coombs

    Research output: ThesisMasters Thesis

    601 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    The experiment on which this thesis is based tested the effects of chilled,
    frozen and chilled-then-frozen storage of lamb at various durations. It was
    hypothesised that prolonged chilled storage (up to 8 weeks) would lead to
    rancidity, compromised sensory and nutritional qualities and spoilage due to
    proliferation of specific microbes. Likewise, it was hypothesised that following chilled storage, frozen storage as per industry practice would preserve quality regardless of duration. Following prescribed chilled-thenfrozen durations however, it was hypothesised that meat frozen for longer durations (up to 52 weeks) would exhibit a faster loss of quality upon retail display post-thawing.

    A total of 360 lamb m. longissimus lumborum (LL) were collected from a
    collaborating export abattoir and allocated to storage durations of 0, 2, 4, 6
    and 8 weeks chilled storage and 0, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 52 weeks frozen storage
    (n = 360). Frozen samples were held at two different frozen storage
    temperatures (-12 and -18 °C). Upon completion of each chilled-then-frozen
    storage duration treatment, samples were sub-sampled for instrumental
    analyses of meat quality and safety traits and one sub-section was placed
    under simulated retail display conditions for 3 days (approximately 72
    hours) where instrumental colour measures were taken daily.

    Results from this experiment indicated that chilled-then-frozen storage
    influenced sensory quality by decreasing shear force and colour stability and
    altering lipid oxidation. Nutritional quality, based upon proportions of
    health-claimable fatty acids, and food safety, were maintained following
    maximum chilled and frozen storage periods in this experiment, although
    spoilage microbes (lactic acid bacteria and Brochothrix thermosphacta)
    were close to proliferating above spoilage thresholds following 8 weeks
    chilled-only storage. Following this experiment, storage thresholds (chilled,
    frozen and chilled-then-frozen) could be formed based upon previously
    determined consumer thresholds for selected meat quality and safety traits
    Original languageEnglish
    QualificationMaster of Philosophy
    Awarding Institution
    • Charles Sturt University
    Supervisors/Advisors
    • Friend, Michael, Principal Supervisor
    • Hopkins, David, Principal Supervisor
    • Holman, Benjamin, Advisor
    Thesis sponsors
    Award date23 Mar 2017
    Place of PublicationAustralia
    Publisher
    Publication statusPublished - 2017

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