Changes in Physico-Chemical and Storage Properties of Dry-Aged Beef Loin Using Electric Field Refrigeration System

The aim of this study is to establish the dry aging period of beef loin in an electric field refrigeration system. Beef loins (Korea quality grade 2) were dry aged at 0, −1, and −2 °C temperature in an electric field refrigeration system (air velocity, 5 ± 2 m/s) and aging stopped as the value of TPC reached 7 log CFU/g. Samples were examined by aging yield, trimming yield, pH, color, water holding capacity (WHC), cooking yield, shear force, total plate count (TPC), 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN). The results for aging yield, trimming yield, redness, yellowness, and chroma decreased with increasing the dry aging period. Contrariwise, those for pH, lightness, hue angle, WHC, and cooking yield increased with the dry aging period. In shear force, the lowest value occurred at four weeks at all temperatures. The results for TPC, TBARS, and VBN increased with aging period, and VBN at 6 weeks at 0 °C and 9 weeks at −1 °C exceed the standard value (20 mg/100 g), while dry aging temperature had an effect on physico-chemical and storage properties by lower temperatures showed slower progress. Therefore, dry aging on an electric field refrigerate system can be used until 4 weeks at 0 °C, 8 weeks at −1 °C, and 10 weeks at −2 °C. However, considering physico-chemical properties, 4 weeks at every temperature is suitable for manufacturing soft dry-aged beef loin.