Sensory analysis and consumer acceptance of irradiated boneless pork chops

Flavor, texture, and aroma were determined for chilled (3+/-2 degrees C) and frozen (-17+/-3 degrees C) boneless pork chops packaged in vacuum or air and exposed to an absorbed dose of 0, 1.5, or 2.5 kGy (chilled) or 0, 2.5, or 3.85 kGy (frozen) of electron beam and cobalt(60) irradiation. Irradiation (less than or equal to 3.85 kGy) had minimal effects on aroma, flavor, and textural attributes in chilled and frozen boneless pork chops. Irradiation source had limited effects and packaging type had the greatest influence. Consumers reported no difference (P >0.05) between irradiated (2.5 kGy cobalt(60) irradiated, chilled, vacuum-packaged, boneless, pork chops) and control samples for overall acceptance, meatiness, freshness, tenderness and juiciness.