Impact of Retail Case Type and Lighting Intensity on Instrumental Color Traits of Ground Beef Patties

• Published in: Journal of animal science Vol. 99; no. Supplement_2; p. 47
• Main Authors: Kutz, Mesa B, Vierck, Kelly R, Yancey, Janeal W S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 07-05-2021
• Subjects: Abstracts; Beef; Color; Lighting; Stability; ground beef; retail display; color stability
• ISSN: 0021-8812; 1525-3163
• DOI: 10.1093/jas/skab096.087

Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the influence of retail case type and lighting intensity on color stability of ground beef patties. Ground 80:20 beef was procured from a local retail establishment between 7 and 10 d from the box date and ground through a 9.5 mm grinder plate, then formed into 150.25 g patties. Patties were then individually packaged in PVC-overwrap packages and randomly assigned into one of four treatments: open, multideck cases with 3000 K lighting (OPEN3000), open, 3500 K lighting (OPEN3500), enclosed, multideck cases with doors with 3000 K lighting (DOOR3000), and enclosed multideck at 3500 K lighting (DOOR3500). Patties were displayed for 7 d and instrumental color values (CIE L*, a*, and b*) were taken every 24 h. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with repeated measures, with case type, lighting intensity, and their interaction serving as fixed effects. Patties in DOOR cases possessed greater L* values (P < 0.05) than OPEN cases on d 3 of display. A similar trend existed for a*, where DOOR patties were redder (P < 0.05) than OPEN patties from d 2 to the end of display, and b* values were higher (P < 0.05) in DOOR cases from d 1 to d 4 of display. Patties from the DOOR cases also possessed increased chroma values (P < 0.05) from d 1 to 6 of display, and decreased (indicating more red) hue angle values from d 3 to the end of display. No differences were observed between lighting intensity for any trait evaluated (P ≥ 0.293). These results indicate patties placed in enclosed retail cases with doors are lighter, redder, and more intense in color during display compared to traditional open-front cases, which indicates greater color stability.