3.1. Weight, trim and combined losses
The USDA Select loins had higher (Pb0.05) weight loss (combined aging treatments) during aging than USDA Choice loins (11.37% and 9.92%, respectively, Table 1). The higher moisture content (Pb0.05) of USDA Select loins (72.56% versus 71.43%) before cooking might explain the higher weight loss due to evaporation and/or purge associated with USDA Select loins. Sitz et al. (2006)reported higher moisture content for USDA Choice loins as compared to USDA Prime loins supporting our findings that lower intramuscular fat and higher moisture content resulted in greater weight loss during aging.