Wet-aging vs. Dry-aging : influence sur la tendreté et la stabilité oxydative des viandes Charolaises

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of aging conditions (dry-aging vs. wet-aging) and time (7, 28, 49 and 70 days) on tenderness, color and lipid stability of Charolais beef. Three longissimus dorsi of Charolais cows were dry- or wet-aged for up to 70 days at 2 °C. At different times, part of these samples was cut into steaks, vacuum packaged and stored during 4 days at 4 °C + 8 days at 8 °C. The following parameters were evaluated at different intervals: pH, tenderness (Warner–Bratzler peak shear force), color (CIE L*a*b*), myoglobin oxidation (K/S572:K/S525 ratio) and lipid oxidation (TBARS). No difference in tenderness was observed between the two aging techniques. The sensitivity of samples to oxidation was influenced by the aging technique (wet-aging > dry-aging). For the studied samples, aging beyond 28 days could be considered excessive from an organoleptical point of view.