Reducing toughness of beef from Bos indicus draught steers by injection of calcium chloride: Effect of concentration and time postmortem

Calcium chloride (CaCl2) solution in concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 M was injected at 10% (wt/wt) either 45 min or 24 h postmortem into longissimus dorsi muscles of eight draught steers discharged from work and >4 years of age. Shear force, after 7 days of aging, declined by CaCl2 injection by up to 50% of control, depending on CaCl2 concentration. Prerigor treatment was twice as efficient as postrigor injection. Collagen content and solubility were less clearly affected. Sensory tenderness scores were higher by 50% with all CaCl2 concentrations, but only with prerigor treatment. A bitter taste was noted only with the highest concentration of CaCl2, but overall acceptance did not increase with CaCl2 concentration. CaCl2 enhanced electrical conductivity, reduced redness and luminosity, and increased drip and thawing loss, but not boiling loss, of longissiumus dorsi. Results indicate a high potential of CaCl2 treatment in extraordinarily tough meat.