FROZEN COOKED MEAT ANTIOXIDANT: IMPROVED ACTION OF SODIUM TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE WITH LEMON JUICE CONCENTRATE

Enhanced antioxidant action was observed for the combination of sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) and lemon juice concentrate (LJC) in frozen meat products. The STP/LJC antioxidant was evaluated in beef products (patties, steak and meat loaf) and soy extended products which were cooked, then frozen. Storage trials of the precooked frozen meat products were conducted with unrestricted oxygen at -18°C. AU of the products were reheated from the frozen state with microwave ovens. The reheated cooked products made with STP/LJC antioxidant were statistically preferred to other antioxidant treatments and controls as judged by expert taste panels. The antioxidant activity was monitored by expert flavor panels and thiobarbituric acid number (TBA). The sodium tripolyphosphate and lemon juice concentrate have been made into a dry free flowing food ingredient for use in the meat industry (U.S. Patent 3,875,313, April 1, 1975).