Results of our investigation suggested that the influence of
chitosan on color stability and lipid oxidation in refrigerated ground
beef patties is packaging-specific. Use of chitosan at 1% level improves
surface red color of beef patties in CO and PVC, but not in HIOX and VP.
While chitosan decreases lipid oxidation, it also minimizes the
variations in lipid oxidation due to packaging. Packaging chitosantreated
patties in CO MAP will improve color stability. The beef
industry could exploit the synergistic effect of natural antioxidants
and MAP systems to minimize discoloration-induced sales loss