NATURAL ANTIOXIDANTS ROSEMARY EXTRACT, OREGANO EXTRACT,
and borage meal were highly effective in inhibiting lipid oxidation
(TBARS formation) in beef patties packaged in modified
atmosphere and stored in the dark at 2 ± 1 °C; in fact, rosemary
and oregano suppressed almost totally TBARS formation for 16 d
and borage thoughout the 24 d of storage. Regarding color fading
and myoglobin oxidation, the combination of rosemary and ascorbic
acid showed the highest protection, followed by rosemary
alone and borage, and, to a much lower extent, by oregano. Ascorbic
acid exerted only small effects, in both cases, either antioxidative
or prooxidative. Sensory results of off-odor and discoloration
confirmed those of chemical and instrumental analysis, and permitted
to conclude that all rosemary, oregano, and borage meal
extended the shelf life of beef patties from 8 to 12 d, while the
combination of rosemary and ascorbic acid was able to extend it by
a further 4-d period.