46G-20

Stability of jerky from beef supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid

A. D. CLARKE1, E. J. Kim1, K. Chaiwat1, L. N. Fernando1, and E. P. Berg2. (1) Food Science Department, University of Missouri, 256 Stringer Wing, Columbia, MO 65211, (2) Animal Science Department, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211

Beef jerky is a high-protein snack that is in great demand, but is subject to deterioration by oxidative changes. Supplementation with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid may inhibit lipid oxidation and development of off-flavors in processed meat products. The objective was to determine if oxidative deterioration could be reduced in jerky prepared from beef supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid. Outside rounds (biceps femoris) from beef (n=25) supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid (0, 8, 16, or 24 mg/kg live body weight) were used to prepare jerky utilizing commercial methods for shaping, seasoning and thermally processing. Jerky was sealed in barrier pouches with ambient air and a subset stored at 37-39 C and the remainder at 23-25 C. Samples were tested at 0, 4, 12 and 20 weeks of storage to determine TBARS value (distillation method) and hexanal content (automated headspace SPME-GC method) as indicators of oxidative deterioration. A sensory panel using 15 cm unstructured line scales was used to determine intensity of staleness and off-flavor characteristics. TBARS and hexanal results had no significant difference (P>0.4 and P>0.15, respectively) due to alpha-lipoic acid supplementation. Staleness (P>0.5) and off-flavor (P>0.2) scores confirmed no impact due to alpha-lipoic acid. However, significant differences (P<0.0001) were found due to week of storage with hexanal increasing from 0.020 to 0.061 µg/g, staleness from 1.6 to 4.9, and off-flavor from 2.2 to 5.4 in the period. Elevated storage temperature also resulted in a higher (P<0.0001) intensity of staleness (3.9), off-flavor (4.3), and hexanal (0.046 µg/g) than room temperature storage (2.2, 2.3 and 0.030 µg/g, respectively). TBARS values were higher (P<0.05) for jerky stored at room temperature (0.38 mg/kg) than elevated temperature (0.31 mg/kg). While alpha-lipoic acid may improve meat quality, there is no impact on oxidation in jerky by supplementation of beef with alpha-lipoic acid.

Session 46G, Muscle Foods I
8:30 AM - 12:00 PM, 2002-06-17

2002 Annual Meeting and Food Expo - Anaheim, California