Effects of ascorbic acid and antioxidants on the lipid oxidation and volatiles of irradiated ground beef

Beef loins, aged for different lengths of time post slaughter, were treated with ionizing radiation. Irradiated ground beef produced volatile sulfur compounds (S-volatiles) responsible for the unique irradiation odor and accelerated lipid oxidation. The quality changes by irradiation became greater as aging and storage time increased. During aerobic storage, the S-volatiles disappeared whereas volatile aldehydes drastically increased in irradiated beef. Addition of ascorbic acid at 0.1% (wt/wt) or sesamol + alpha-tocopherol at each 0.01% level to ground beef before irradiation effectively reduced lipid oxidation and S-volatiles. As storage time increased, however, the antioxidant effect of sesamol + tocopherol in irradiated ground beef was superior to that of ascorbic acid.