Therefore, it would be useful to have a method of tenderizing naturally tough chicken and pork so that the naturally tough chicken and pork can be cooked using conventional methods, and that results in a post-preparation product that is consistently tender and suitable for human consumption.

SUMMARY According to one embodiment, there is provided a method of tenderizing naturally tough chicken and pork, the method comprising providing a suitable grade of naturally tough chicken and pork, and treating the naturally tough chicken and pork with a composition comprising an enzyme mixture where the enzyme mixture consists of between about 98. 7 % and about 99. 7% bromelin, between about 0. 02 % and about 0. 08 % ficin and between about 0. 01 % and about 0.05 % papain. In one embodiment the enzyme mixture consists of between about 98. 7 % and about 99. 7 % bromelin, between about 0. 02 % and about 0. 08 % ficin and between about 0. 01 % and about 0. 05% papain. In another embodiment, the enzyme mixture consists of between about 99% and about 99. 4% bromelin, between about 0. 04% and about 0. 06% ficin and between about 0. 02 % and about 0. 04% papain. In a preferred embodiment, the enzyme mixture consists of about 98. 2 % bromelin, about 0. 05% ficin and about 0. 03% papain.

In one embodiment, the enzyme mixture is present in an amount of between about 0. 5% and about 6% of the composition. In another embodiment, the enzyme mixture is present in an amount of between about 0. 7 % and about 2 % of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the enzyme mixture is present in an amount of about 1 % of the

composition.

In another embodiment, the composition used to treat the naturally tough chicken and pork additionally comprises a carrier, such as NaCl. In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of between about 25 % and about 99% of the composition or in an amount of between about 50% and about 99% of the composition. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of about 98. 5 % of the composition.

In one embodiment, the composition used to treat the naturally tough chicken and pork additionally comprises a processing aid, such as soybean oil. In a preferred embodiment, the processing aid is present in an amount of between about 0. 1 % and about 2 % of the composition. In another preferred embodiment, the processing aid is present in an amount of between about 0.3 % and about 1 % of the composition. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the processing aid is present in an amount of about 0. 5 % of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition used to treat the naturally tough chicken and pork comprises about 98. 4% carrier, about 1. 1% enzyme mixture and about 0. 5% processing aid.

In one embodiment, the naturally tough chicken and pork provided is partially or completely skinned, boned or both. In another embodiment, the method additionally comprises removing waste products or excess fat or both from the naturally tough chicken and pork.

In another embodiment, the naturally tough chicken and pork provided is an amount between about 0.1 kg and about 10,000 kg. In yet another embodiment, the naturally tough chicken and pork provided is an amount between about 100 kg and 6000 kg.

In one embodiment, the ratio of weight of the composition to the total weight of the naturally tough chicken and pork being treated with the composition is between about 1: 200 and about 1 : 1500. In another embodiment, the ratio of weight of the composition to the total weight of the naturally tough chicken and pork being treated with the composition is between about 1: 450 and about 1: 650.

In a preferred embodiment, treating the naturally tough chicken and pork comprises injecting the naturally tough chicken and pork with a solution comprising the composition. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the solution injected additionally comprises ice, NaCl and potable water. In another preferred embodiment, the solution injected is between about

9% and about 15 % of the weight of the chicken being injected. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the solution injected is about 12% of the weight of the naturally tough chicken and pork being injected.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises adding to the naturally tough chicken and pork one or more than one substance selected from the group consisting of flavoring, NaCI, moisture enhancing agents, preservatives, and potable water. In another embodiment, the method further comprises tumbling the treated naturally tough chicken and pork at a pressure and rotation speed selected to more evenly distribute the enzyme mixture throughout the treated chicken. In a preferred embodiment, the pressure is a near vacuum.

In another preferred embodiment, the rotation speed is about between about 10 and about 15 revolutions per minute.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises exposing the treated naturally tough chicken and pork to a relative vacuum a closed container, such as a polymer bag. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the relative vacuum is about-1.5 bar.

In one embodiment, the method further comprises packaging the treated naturally tough chicken and pork in a commercial package. In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises cooking the treated naturally tough chicken and pork. In a particularly preferred embodiment, cooking the treated naturally tough chicken and pork comprises raising the core temperature of the treated naturally tough chicken and pork to about 70°C.

In another embodiment, the method further comprises distributing the treated naturally tough chicken and pork to an intermediate wholesale or retail establishment.

DESCRIPTION According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an enzyme mixture that can be used to treat naturally tough chicken or pork to produce a product that can be cooked using conventional methods, and that results in a post-preparation product that is consistently tender. The enzyme mixture comprises three enzymes: bromelin, ficin and papain. According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of tenderizing naturally tough chicken or pork to produce a product that can be cooked by conventional methods, and that results in a post-preparation product that is consistently tender. The method comprises treating the naturally tough chicken or pork with an enzyme mixture according to the present invention. The enzyme mixture and method will now be disclosed in detail.

As used in this disclosure, "consumer"refers to the individual or enterprise that cooks the treated naturally tough chicken or pork for eventual human consumption, and includes an individual at home, and a cook in a restaurant or a food service enterprise, among others as will be understood by those in the art with reference to this disclosure.

As used in this disclosure, percent amounts are given in percent by weight of total weight.

In one embodiment, the present invention is an enzyme mixture that can be used to treat naturally tough chicken or pork according to the present invention. The enzyme mixture comprises three proteolytic enzymes, and can comprise one or more than one additional substance. Each enzyme in the enzyme mixture has a specific activation temperature and a deactivation temperature. When used to treat naturally tough chicken or pork together and in the proper ratios, cooking the naturally tough chicken or pork causes the enzymes to work synergistically to break down the substance of the naturally tough chicken or pork and results in a post-preparation product that is consistently tender and suitable for human consumption.

In a preferred embodiment, the enzyme mixture consists of the three enzymes bromelin, ficin and papain. In a particularly preferred embodiment, three enzymes are combined in specific ratios. Suitable enzymes can be obtained from All American Seasonings, Inc. , Denver, CO US.

In a preferred embodiment, the enzyme mixture consists of between about 98. 7% and about 99. 7% bromelin, between about 0. 02% and about 0. 08% ficin and between about 0. 01 % and about 0. 05 % papain. In another preferred embodiment, the enzyme mixture consists of between about 99% and about 99. 4% bromelin, between about 0. 04% and about 0. 06% ficin and between about 0. 02% and about 0. 04% papain. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the enzyme mixture consists of about 98. 2% bromelin, about 0. 05% ficin and about 0. 03 % papain.

In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a composition for tenderizing naturally tough chicken or pork. The composition comprises the enzyme mixture of the present invention and further comprises a carrier. The carrier assists in dispersing the enzyme mixture evenly in a solution and assists in preventing the enzyme mixture from clumping together and from hardening during storage. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the carrier is NaCl, available from All American Seasonings, Inc. though other

salts, such as KCl or dextrose, or any other suitable carrier can be used, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the composition further comprises a processing aid that assists in preventing the enzyme mixture from clumping together and from hardening during storage. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the processing aid is refined, bleached and odorless soybean oil (available from All American Seasonings, Inc.).

In a preferred embodiment, the enzyme mixture is present in an amount of between about 0. 5% and about 6% of the composition. In another preferred embodiment, the enzyme mixture is present in an amount of between about 0. 7% and about 2% of the composition. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the enzyme mixture is present in an amount of about 1 % of the composition.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of between about 25 % and about 99% of the composition. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of between about 50% and about 99%. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the carrier is present in an amount of about 98. 5%.

In a preferred embodiment, the processing aid is present in an amount of between about 0. 1 % and about 2 %. In another preferred embodiment, the processing aid is present in an amount of between about 0.3 % and about 1 %. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the processing aid is present in an amount of about 0. 5 %.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition comprises 98. 4% carrier, 1. 1% enzyme mixture in the ratios given above, and 0. 5% processing aid.

In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of tenderizing naturally tough chicken or pork to produce a product that can be cooked by conventional methods, and that results in a post-preparation product that is consistently tender. In summary, the method comprises at least the following two steps. First, a suitable type or grade of naturally tough chicken or pork is provided. As used in this disclosure, the terms"type"and"grade"are interchangeable. Second, the suitable grade of naturally tough chicken or pork is treated with an enzyme mixture according to the present invention.

The suitable grade of naturally tough chicken or pork provided is preferably chicken or pork that is naturally tough rendering it less than commercially desirable for human consumption after being cooked by conventional methods. In one embodiment, the grade of

naturally tough chicken is selected from the group consisting of fowl, spent chicken, heavy spent chicken and breeding chicken but other grades of chicken that are naturally tough are also suitable. In a preferred embodiment, the naturally tough chicken or pork selected is primarily of one grade. The naturally tough chicken or pork can be partially or completely skinned, boned or both. Additionally, waste products, such as connective tissue, or excess fat can be removed. The amount of naturally tough chicken or pork provided can be any amount that can be handled by equipment available to perform the method of the present invention. For example, the amount can be between about 0.1 kg and about 10,000 kg. In a preferred embodiment, the amount is between about 100 kg and about 6000 kg.

Treatment of the naturally tough chicken or pork with an enzyme mixture according to the present invention can be accomplished using a variety of methods. In a preferred embodiment, the naturally tough chicken or pork is injected with a solution containing the enzyme mixture using commercially available injection equipment, such as the Fomaco Injector, Robert Reiser Co. , Canton, MA US, though any suitable injection equipment can be used as will be understood by those in the art with reference to this disclosure. Preferably, the sites of injection are less than about 7.5 cm apart. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the naturally tough chicken or pork is injected with a solution containing the composition.

In one embodiment, the weight ratio of composition to naturally tough chicken or pork is between about 1: 200 and about 1: 1500. In a preferred embodiment, the ratio of composition to naturally tough chicken or pork is between about 1: 450 and about 1: 650.

For example, naturally tough chicken or pork that is to be cooked by grilling or microwaving can be injected with a solution of the composition, ice, NaCl and potable water in a ratio of 1: 13: 1.7 : 55. Similarly, naturally tough chicken or pork that is to be cooked by a convention gas or an electric oven can be injected with a mixture of the composition, ice, NaCl and potable water in a ratio of 1: 20: 2.5 : 80. The ice is used to cool the injection solution before injection to retard spoilage and melts during the injection process.

In one embodiment, the amount of the solution injected is between about 9% and about 15% of the weight of the chicken being injected. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of the solution injected is about 12% of the weight of the chicken being injected.

Similarly, in one embodiment, the amount of the solution injected is between about 6% and about 15% of the weight of the pork being injected. In a preferred embodiment, the

amount of the solution injected is about 10% of the weight of the pork being injected.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises adding one or more than one substance selected from the group consisting of flavoring such as spices, NaCl, moisture enhancing agents such as sodium phosphate, preservatives such sodium lactate, and potable water to the naturally tough chicken or pork to improve the taste, texture or other property of the finished product.

In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises tumbling the treated naturally tough chicken or pork at a pressure and rotation speed selected to more evenly distribute the enzyme mixture or composition throughout the treated chicken. The pressure and rotation speed are chosen so as to separate the fibers of treated naturally tough chicken or pork without shredding or tearing apart the fibers permanently, that is, while retaining the fibers'structural cohesiveness. In a preferred embodiment, the tumbling is performed in a near vacuum at between about 10 and about 15 revolutions per minute for between about 15 and about 30 minutes. The near vacuum combined with the rotation separates the muscle fibers of the treated naturally tough chicken or pork allowing more rapid and uniform distribution of the enzymes. Preferably, the treated naturally tough chicken or pork is tumbled in a finned vacuum tumbler with a central salable chamber that can be operated at a specific pressure and rotation speed such as the Model LT30, available from Lance Industries, Allenton, WI US or a similar device, as will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure.

In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises exposing the treated naturally tough chicken or pork to a relative vacuum in a closed container. Containers are selected that can be sealed to maintain a vacuum for preserving the chicken. In one embodiment, the container is a polymer bag, such as available from W. R. Grace & Co., Sioux City, Iowa. After selecting a suitable container, the treated naturally tough chicken or pork is placed in the container and a vacuum is applied. In a preferred embodiment, the vacuum is a near vacuum of about-1.5 bar. The container tends to assume the shape of the chicken upon application of the vacuum.

In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises packaging the treated naturally tough chicken or pork in a suitable commercial package for shipping and storage, or in a suitable commercial package for retail distribution to a consumer, or both. Packaging can include labeling as required by local laws and branding with a trademark or trade name

and can include decorative wrapping for marketing purposes.

In another preferred embodiment, the method further comprises cooking the treated naturally tough chicken or pork before packaging. The cooking can be done by any suitable method as will be understood by those in the art with reference to this disclosure. For example, the treated naturally tough chicken or pork can be placed in an oven or in a hot water bath. Preferably, the treated naturally tough chicken or pork is cooked until its core temperature is raised to at least about 70°C for chicken and to at least about 65°C for pork.

If the treated naturally tough chicken or pork is cooked before packaging, then the cooked treated naturally tough chicken or pork is preferably cooled also before packaging.

The treated naturally tough chicken or pork can be distributed to an intermediate wholesale or retail establishment, and thereby to a consumer, or can be distributed directly to a consumer. After distribution, the consumer cooks the treated naturally tough chicken or pork using conventional methods, or if the product has been cooked prior to packaging, reheats the product if desired or consumes the product without reheating. For example, the treated naturally tough chicken or pork can be removed from the packaging and container and can be barbecued, grilled, microwaved, prepared on a stove top or in an oven, or cooked using another conventional method, and the post-preparation product is consistently tender and suitable for human consumption.

Although the present invention has been discussed in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure.