Identification of Off-Flavor Compounds in Beef Round and Chuck Muscles

Volatile off-flavor compounds are present in beef. Using purge and trap gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, some volatile compounds were shown to have different concentrations in normal-flavored beef, compared to samples with liver-like off-flavor. Most of the compounds, like pentanol, hexanal, hexanol, 1–octen–3–ol, and nonanol, are associated with lipid oxidation. The compounds, β-pinene and 1-octen-3-ol were in higher concentration in the liver-like samples in all muscles tested. Several, small, unidentified peaks also differed between samples. Determination of the possible origins of these compounds may improve the quality and consistency of beef products

Fatty Acids and Minerals Affect the Liver-Like Off-Flavor in Cooked Beef

Sixty knuckle centers were obtained from a local harvesting facility to determine factors causing the liver-like off-flavor in beef. Medium chain unsaturated fatty acids and sodium explain 46% of the variation of the liver-like off-flavor intensity ratings in cooked knuckle center steaks. Future studies to manipulate the fatty acid and mineral profiles of muscle might prove beneficial in lowering the incidence of the liver-like off-flavor in beef

Factors that Influence Consumers’ Overall Sensory Acceptance of Strip Steaks

Multivariate analysis was used to determine demographic, knowledge, habits, and sensory preferences that influence a consumer’s opinion about the acceptability of strip steaks from corn-fed, barley-fed, and grass-fed beef. Even with all the additional information, most consumers’ final opinions about specific types of steaks are based on how they perceive the flavor, tenderness, and juiciness of the beef