Mechanically Recovered Neck Bone Lean and Ascorbic Acid Improve Color Stability of Ground Beef Patties

Ground beef patties at two ascorbic acid (Asc) levels (0 and 1,000 ppm) and three mechanically recovered neck bone lean (MRNL) levels (0, 15 and 30%) were analyzed for percentage surface metmyoglobin (metMb) and HunterLab L* and a* values over 6 days of retail display. Data were collected for two replications. Patties made with Asc had less (P < 0.01) surface metMb than patties made without Asc on days 1‐4 of retail display. Ascorbic acid and MRNL acted synergistically to improve surface color. Patties made with Asc showed a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in surface metMb as MRNL level increased from 0 to 30%. Patties made without Asc showed no change in surface metMb as MRNL level increased.