Internal Endpoint Cooking Temperature Alters Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Pork Loin Chops

Quality and consumer satisfaction of meat products could be influenced by endpoint cooking temperatures. Attributes of pork, such as palatability, cooking loss, and internal color, influence consumer acceptability. The degree of doneness was evaluated on pork chop characteristics of texture, cooking...

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Main Authors: Savannah L. Douglas, Ricardo J. Barrazueta-Coredero, Gabriela M. Bernardez-Morales, Nina E. Gilmore, Linda S. Barahona-Dominguez, Sungeun Cho, Jason T. Sawyer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2052
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author Savannah L. Douglas
Ricardo J. Barrazueta-Coredero
Gabriela M. Bernardez-Morales
Nina E. Gilmore
Linda S. Barahona-Dominguez
Sungeun Cho
Jason T. Sawyer
author_facet Savannah L. Douglas
Ricardo J. Barrazueta-Coredero
Gabriela M. Bernardez-Morales
Nina E. Gilmore
Linda S. Barahona-Dominguez
Sungeun Cho
Jason T. Sawyer
author_sort Savannah L. Douglas
collection DOAJ
description Quality and consumer satisfaction of meat products could be influenced by endpoint cooking temperatures. Attributes of pork, such as palatability, cooking loss, and internal color, influence consumer acceptability. The degree of doneness was evaluated on pork chop characteristics of texture, cooking loss, consumer acceptability, and electronic nose. Pork loin chops (N = 264) were allocated randomly to one of three endpoint degrees of doneness (63 °C, 71 °C, and 79 °C). Cooking pork chops to an internal temperature of 79 °C caused the cooked color to be darker (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and less red (<i>p</i> = 0.0057). In addition, chops cooked to a 63 °C degree of doneness had greater moisture and lower shear force values (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Consumer panel ratings of flavor profiles were greater for juiciness, texture, and tenderness (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) when chops were cooked to a 63 °C degree of doneness. Electronic nose analysis of the changes in cooked volatiles can impact the overall flavor and aroma profiles of pork loin chops. These findings conclude that cooking pork chops to an internal temperature of 63 °C improves the overall eating quality, acceptability, and cooking characteristics of pork loin chops. However, more information on the use of an optimal endpoint cooking temperature is needed to improve consumer awareness of pork chop quality.
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spelling doaj-art-10aff97c75ef4d3fb7000df6a422bfd92025-08-20T03:27:29ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-06-011412205210.3390/foods14122052Internal Endpoint Cooking Temperature Alters Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Pork Loin ChopsSavannah L. Douglas0Ricardo J. Barrazueta-Coredero1Gabriela M. Bernardez-Morales2Nina E. Gilmore3Linda S. Barahona-Dominguez4Sungeun Cho5Jason T. Sawyer6Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USADepartment of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USADepartment of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USADepartment of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USADepartment of Poultry Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USADepartment of Poultry Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USADepartment of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USAQuality and consumer satisfaction of meat products could be influenced by endpoint cooking temperatures. Attributes of pork, such as palatability, cooking loss, and internal color, influence consumer acceptability. The degree of doneness was evaluated on pork chop characteristics of texture, cooking loss, consumer acceptability, and electronic nose. Pork loin chops (N = 264) were allocated randomly to one of three endpoint degrees of doneness (63 °C, 71 °C, and 79 °C). Cooking pork chops to an internal temperature of 79 °C caused the cooked color to be darker (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) and less red (<i>p</i> = 0.0057). In addition, chops cooked to a 63 °C degree of doneness had greater moisture and lower shear force values (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). Consumer panel ratings of flavor profiles were greater for juiciness, texture, and tenderness (<i>p</i> < 0.0001) when chops were cooked to a 63 °C degree of doneness. Electronic nose analysis of the changes in cooked volatiles can impact the overall flavor and aroma profiles of pork loin chops. These findings conclude that cooking pork chops to an internal temperature of 63 °C improves the overall eating quality, acceptability, and cooking characteristics of pork loin chops. However, more information on the use of an optimal endpoint cooking temperature is needed to improve consumer awareness of pork chop quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2052cooked colorelectronic nosepork chopssensory analysistexture analysis
spellingShingle Savannah L. Douglas
Ricardo J. Barrazueta-Coredero
Gabriela M. Bernardez-Morales
Nina E. Gilmore
Linda S. Barahona-Dominguez
Sungeun Cho
Jason T. Sawyer
Internal Endpoint Cooking Temperature Alters Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Pork Loin Chops
Foods
cooked color
electronic nose
pork chops
sensory analysis
texture analysis
title Internal Endpoint Cooking Temperature Alters Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Pork Loin Chops
title_full Internal Endpoint Cooking Temperature Alters Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Pork Loin Chops
title_fullStr Internal Endpoint Cooking Temperature Alters Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Pork Loin Chops
title_full_unstemmed Internal Endpoint Cooking Temperature Alters Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Pork Loin Chops
title_short Internal Endpoint Cooking Temperature Alters Quality and Consumer Acceptability of Pork Loin Chops
title_sort internal endpoint cooking temperature alters quality and consumer acceptability of pork loin chops
topic cooked color
electronic nose
pork chops
sensory analysis
texture analysis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/12/2052
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