Effect of Irradiation on the Quality of Pale, Soft, Exudative (PSE) Pork During Storage at 4℃

방사선 조사가 PSE 돈육의 냉장저장 중 품질에 미치는 영향

The effect of irradiation on the quality characteristics of pale-soft-exudative (PSE) pork was studied. The pork loin with severe PSE appearance was selected by meat grader,irradiated at 0 and 4.5 kGy, and meat quality characteristics including pH, color, lipid oxidation development, microbial and sensory quality were analyzed during 2 weeks of storage at $4^{\circ}C$. The pH values of non-irradiated and 4.5 kGy-irradiated PSE raw pork loin was not different. Hunter color $a^*$-value, which represents redness of meat surface showed significant increase (P<0.05) in irradiated PSE pork loin. This higher Hunter color $a^*$-value maintained during 2 weeks of storage. By 4.5 kGy of irradiation, approximately 2 log reduction of total aerobic bacterial counts was achieved during 2 weeks of storage when compared with non-irradiated control. Sensory panelists prefer the color of irradiated PSE meat than that of non-irradiated control because of redness. From the results, it is possible to use an irradiation technology to improve not only microbiological safety but also the color of meat which has severe defect such as PSE.

방사선 조사가 PSE 돈육의 품질에 미치는 영향을 알아보기 위해 전문 육류등급사에 의해 외관적으로 확인된 PSE 돈육 등심을 4.5 kGy로 감마선 조사 후 pH, 육색, 지방산화, 미생물 및 관능적 품질을 2주간 냉장저장하면서 측정하였다. pH는 4.5 kGy의 방사선 조사에 의해 영향 받지 않았으나 육색 중 적색도를 나타내는 $a^*$값은 방사선 조사된 등심근에서 저장기간 전체를 통하여 유의적으로 증가하였음을 관찰할 수 있었다(P<0.05). 방사선 조사 4.5 kGy는 비조사구(0 kGy)와 비교하여 2주간 냉장저장기간 중 약 2 log의 총균수 감소효과를 보였다. 관능검사 결과 적색도 증가에 따른 방사선 조사 돈육등심의 선호도가 높았다. 이상의 결과를 종합해 볼 때 식육 방사선 조사기술은 미생물학적 안전성뿐만 아니라 PSE 돈육의 육색을 향상시키는데 유용하게 사용될 수 있음을 알 수 있었다.