A comparison of carnosine and ascorbic acid on color and lipid stability in a ground beef pattie model system.

Ascorbic acid (0.1%) significantly inhibited metmyoglobin formation on the surface of ground beef but not in the bulk of the product where oxygen tension was lower. Carnosine (1.0%), however, significantly inhibited metmyoglobin formation and brown color development throughout the product. The combinations of carnosine and ascorbic acid were also very effective on inhibition of metmyoglobin formation and brown color development. Carnosine increased meat pH, cook yield and salt-soluble protein, but ascorbic acid had no effect on cook yield, and decreased meat pH and salt-soluble protein. Carnosine was more effective on inhibition of lipid peroxidation than ascorbic acid. Carnosine inhibited copper(II)-catalyzed ascorbate oxidation in a dose-dependent manner in model systems. Carnosine in conjunction with ascorbic acid may be useful as a meat additive for increasing shelf-life as well as stabilizing color of meat products.