Role of Mitochondria in Beef Color: A Review

In postmortem muscle, mitochondria remain active and can influence beef color by oxygen consumption and metmyoglobin reduction. Enzymes involved in glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle can generate reducing equivalents such as succinate or NADH. Mitochondrial activity is critical to maintain steaks that are bright cherry-red and improve color stability. This review seeks to characterize the role of mitochondria in beef color; more specifically to understand the effects of mitochondrial function on myoglobin redox stability.