Effect of Feeding Regimen and Vacuum-Packaged Storage on Sensory and Physical Properties of Beef Steaks.

The longissimus, semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles from 12 grain-fed and 12 forage-fed cattle were vacuum packaged, stored for either 7 or 21 d and retail packaged and displayed. Primal and retail cut appearance traits and sensory attributes were evaluated. Longissimus steaks had a more yellow fat color after 5 d of display (P<0.05) and semitendinosus had a more intense flavor (P<0.05) when taken from forage-fed cattle. Generally, there were only a few minor differences in sensory properties due to feeding regimen. Primal and retail cut appearance traits (primarily muscle color and percentage surface discoloration) of all three muscles were significantly affected by the length of storage; however, storage period affected sensory properties on only the longissimus and semitendinosus muscles.