Protein oxidation during frozen storage and subsequent processing of different beef muscles

- Frozen storage induces specific protein oxidation damages in beef patties.
- The metabolic profile affects the susceptibility of proteins to oxidation.
- Protein oxidation plays a role in quality traits of processed patties.

This study examined the relationship between protein and lipid oxidation and the impairment of the water holding capacity (WHC), redness and instrumental hardness occurring during 20 weeks of frozen storage (− 18 °C) and subsequent processing (cooking, chilled storage) of psoas major, quadriceps femoris and longissimus dorsi beef patties. Patties were analyzed at sampling times upon thawing (weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 20) for lipid (TBARS, hexanal) and protein oxidation products (α-aminoadipic and γ-glutamic semialdehydes, α-aminoadipic acid, Schiff bases). A significant impact of frozen storage on protein oxidation was found, which occurred concomitantly with a loss of WHC, redness and significant changes in the hardness of cooked patties. Heme-iron, endogenous antioxidant enzymes and to a lower extent, fatty acid composition, played a role in the oxidative stability of patties. Plausible mechanisms by which particular protein oxidation changes may lead to loss of WHC and impaired quality traits were discussed.