differences (Table 6) illustrated that SHMP, STPP, and
TSPP received higher (P < 0.05) myofibrillar, connective
tissue, and overall tenderness ratings compared to CNT.
Additionally, steaks from both phosphate concentrations
and both pump rates exhibited improved
(P < 0.05) myofibrillar, connective tissue, and overall
tenderness ratings when compared to CNT as well.
The NaCl-enhanced steaks also received higher
(P < 0.05) tenderness ratings when compared to CNT,
and although phosphate-enhanced steaks at 12% pump
did not differ (P > 0.05) for myofibrillar tenderness compared
to NaCl12, overall tenderness ratings were higher
(P < 0.05) for phosphate-enhanced steaks at 12% pump
compared to NaCl12. Phosphate-enhanced steaks at
18% pump also received higher (P < 0.05) sensory evaluated
overall tenderness ratings compared to NaCl18.
Steaks from all three phosphate types exhibited higher
(P < 0.05) overall tenderness scores compared to NaCl
steaks as well. No differences (P > 0.05) in sensory tenderness
scores were observed between phosphate types
(Table 7). Although not in beef, supporting the sensory
tenderness indifference between phosphate types, Xiong
and Kupski (1999) reported no significant differences between
SHMP, STPP, or TSPP for sensory tenderness
ratings in poultry breasts. In the present study, steaks
enhanced with phosphates at 0.4% of product weight received
higher (P < 0.05) overall tenderness ratings than
steaks enhanced with phosphates at 0.2% of product
weight (Table 7). Additionally, steaks enhanced at an
18% pump rate were rated more tender (P < 0.05) than
steaks enhanced at a 12% pump rate (Table 7). Although
Keeton (1983) reported a general decrease in sensory