Evaluation of beef top sirloin steaks of four quality grades cooked to three degrees of doneness

Master of ScienceDepartment of Animal Sciences and IndustryTravis O'QuinnThe objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of quality grade on beef eating quality of top sirloin steaks when cooked to multiple degrees of doneness (DOD). Beef top sirloin butts (N = 60; 15 / quality grade) were collected to equally represent 4 quality grades [Prime, Top Choice (modest⁰⁰ – moderate¹⁰⁰), Low Choice, and Select]. Top butts were cut into six consecutive steaks, and then divided laterally to get a total of twelve steaks per top butt. Steaks were assigned to one of three DOD: rare (60°C), medium (71°C), and well-done (77°C). Steaks within DOD were assigned to consumer sensory analysis, trained sensory analysis, fat and moisture analysis, and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). There were no interactions (P > 0.05) for all consumer ratings of palatability traits, indicating increases in DOD had the same impact across all quality grades. There was a difference (P > 0.05) within quality grade for consumer ratings of juiciness (P > 0.05). Prime steaks had greater (P medium > well-done). There was a quality grade × DOD interaction (P medium > well-done). Lastly, there were no quality grade by DOD interactions (P > 0.05) for Warner-Bratzler shear force. These results indicate that regardless of the DOD steaks were cooked to, quality grade had minimal impact on the palatability of beef top sirloin steaks. Therefore, unless cooked to a medium DOD, it is unnecessary for consumers, retailers, and foodservice to pay premium prices for higher quality top sirloin steaks, as the same eating experience will be given