Mechanism of tumbling-curing to improve beef quality: Insights from the structural and functional properties of myofibrillar protein

Beef is highly nutritious but lacks tenderness and emulsification properties. This study aimed to investigate the impact of static curing (SC), tumbling-curing (TC), pulsating vacuum tumbling-curing (PVTC), and vacuum tumbling-curing (VTC) on the structural and functional properties of myofibrillar proteins and the mechanisms involved in enhancing beef quality. VTC significantly enhanced beef tenderness, water-holding capacity (WHC) and cooking yield. Additionally, the shear force was reduced by 58% and the cooking yield and WHC were increased by 6% compared with SC. There was an increase in the myofibrillar protein (MP) alpha-helix content and sulfhydryl content, while there was a reduction in the surface hydrophobicity and dityrosine content. These changes led to the enhancement of the functional properties of beef, such as protein emulsification and solubility. VTC minimized the damage caused by the curing process to the secondary and tertiary structures of MP by reducing their aggregation and oxidation. When compared with other curing methods, VTC proved to be an effective technology for enhancing beef tenderness and emulsification properties, therefore, essential in promoting ultra-processed beef products.