Carcass chilling method effects on color and tenderness of bison meat.

Carcasses were conventionally (C, n = 9) or vascularly chilled using the Rinse & Chill® process (RC; n = 9). Muscles (Longissimus lumborum, LL; Triceps brachii, TB) were processed (LL, steaks; TB, ground), packaged (polyvinyl chloride, PVC; vacuum, VAC), and displayed or stored dark. Measurements included color, purge, pH, sarcomere length, shear force, and cooking loss. Data were analyzed as a split plot design with carcass chilling treatment as whole plot and display day as split plot. Data were analyzed separately by packaging method. RC increased (P < .05) cooking loss 1.7% but decreased shear force 24% (C, 42.5 N; P < .05) in steaks. RC ground bison packaged in PVC and VAC had greater (P < .05) CIE L*, a*, and b* values than C. RC VAC bison steaks had greater (P < .05) oxymyoglobin, deoxymyoglobin and decreased (P < .05) metmyoglobin than C VAC steaks. RC positively impacted bison steak tenderness and color in ground bison and steaks. Published by Elsevier Ltd.