Exclusion of oxygen from modified atmosphere packages limits beef rib and lumbar vertebrae marrow discoloration during display and storage

Visual and instrumental color (L*a*b* and reflectance from 400 to 700 nm) were used to evaluate packaging atmosphere as a way of minimizing beef marrow discoloration. In experiment 1, rib ends (n = 24) packaged in 80% O2/20% CO2 discolored more than ribs packaged in 100% N2, which resulted in a relatively stable purplish marrow color through a 7-day display at 1 °C. In experiment 2, lumbar vertebrae (n = 10) packaged in 80% O2/20% CO2 had a rapid and significant discoloration within 24 h after packaging, likely because of the formation of methemoglobin. Conversely, vertebrae packaged in 80% N2/20% CO2 and 0.4% CO/30% CO2/69.6% N2 remained color stable during 2 and 6 weeks of storage at 4 °C, respectively. Exclusion of oxygen from MAP packages and the addition of low concentrations of CO minimized beef rib and lumbar vertebrae discoloration compared with high-oxygen MAP.