The theme for this volume was chosen because no previous book has
discussed the quality attributes of meat, poultry and fish and the
methods that can be utilized for their measurement. The topics are not
only timely but of great importance. Chapter I provides an introduction
to the topic and presents a brief overview of the subject to be
discussed. The next two chapters review information on the importance of
color and some color problems in muscle foods, and explains the basis of
color vision and perception of color before describing the methods that
may be used for its measure- ment. The following chapter discusses water
binding and juiciness and their importance, while Chapter 5 provides the
first intensive modern review on measurement of juiciness that has been
published (to the knowledge of the author and editors). Chapter 6
reviews the physiology and psychology of flavor and aroma, which serves
as a background for further discussion on the flavor and aroma of foods.
The next chapter discusses the chemistry of flavor and aroma in muscle
foods, while measurement of flavor and aroma are covered in Chapter 8.
Chapter 9 reviews the species-specific meat flavors and aromas. Chapter
10 reviews some flavor and aroma problems in muscle foods and their
measurement.