Effects of thawing temperature on the physicochemical properties of pre-rigor frozen chicken breast and leg muscles

The objective of this study was to evaluate effects of thawing temperature on the biochemical and physicochemical properties of pre-rigor frozen chicken breast and leg muscles. Breast and leg muscles from 24 broiler chickens were excised within 10min postmortem. Pre-rigor muscles were frozen at -20°C and thawed at 0 and 18°C, and pH, R-value, sarcomere length, muscle shortening, thaw and cook loss, shear force and myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI) compared with those in pre-rigor or 2°C chilled muscles. The ultimate pH of 18°C thawed muscle was lower than that of 0°C thawed and 2°C chilled muscles. As expected, the shortening of sarcomere length and muscle length of thaw rigor muscles were more than those of chilled muscle, but there were no significant differences between chilled muscle and 0°C thawed muscle. Also, there were no significant differences in R-value (Abs 250/Abs 260) and cook loss due to thawing temperature. Samples thawed at 0°C had higher MFI and lower shear value than samples thawed at 18°C. Shear force value and MFI were not significantly different between chilled muscle and 0°C thawed muscle. By thawing at 0°C, thaw shortening was prevented, and tender meat comparable to the chilled meat was obtained.     

Tenderness of pork m. longissimus thoracis et lumborum after accelerated boning. Part I. Effect of temperature conditioning

This research investigated the effect on tenderness and meat quality of temperature conditioning at 0, 7, 14 or 21?°C of pork longissimus muscle after accelerated boning (removal from the carcass within 30 min post slaughter). The conditioning temperature had no effect (P>0.05) on tenderness at the end of the conditioning period (i.e. at the onset of rigor) but had a significant effect (P<0.05) after the muscles were aged for four days at 2?°C. After aging, the muscles conditioned at 14?°C were more tender than muscles conditioned at the other three temperatures; the muscles conditioned at 0?°C were tougher than the muscles conditioned at the higher three temperatures. Conditioning at 14?°C produced muscles that had lighter surface colour and lower drip loss due to prevention of cold toughening which occurred at lower temperatures or protein denaturation at the higher temperatures.     

Thermal properties of titin from porcine and bovine muscles

The thermal properties of titin isolated from porcine and bovine longissimus muscles were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry in the temperature range from 20 to 100?°C. A single peak with average maximum temperatures of 75.6 and 78.4?°C characterized porcine and bovine titin denaturation, respectively. The peaks were much broader than those from the other major muscle proteins. Titin denaturation enthalpy values (1.6-2.6 J/g) were only about half those of whole meat and also lower than those previously determined for myosin, actin, or collagen. The relatively high titin denaturation temperature suggests that it may be partially responsible for meat toughening when muscle tissue is heated above 60?°C.     

解冻后兔肉待加工过程中肌原纤维蛋白功能性质的变化

研究解冻后兔肉待加工过程中肌原纤维蛋白（myofibrillar protein,MP）功能性质的变化。兔后腿肉及背最长肌肉置于－18 ℃ 条件下冻藏7 d,取出在20 ℃水中解冻至中心温度为0 ℃后,放置7 h,测定在放置过程中兔肉的MP溶解性、活性巯基及总巯基含量、乳化性、表面疏水性、流变学性质、凝胶特性。结果显示：随着在水中放置时间的延长,兔肉MP溶解度、巯基含量、乳化活性和乳化稳定性、凝胶特性逐渐下降,在4 h时下降较为显著（P＜0.05）;MP表面疏水性逐渐上升,在4 h时上升较为显著（P＜0.05）;MP弹性模量G’值在加热过程中也逐渐降低,兔肉蛋白形成凝胶的能力减弱。     

Freezing rate and frozen storage effects on the ultrastructure of samples of pork

Cryo-scanning electron microscopy was used to study the ultrastructure of small samples (approximately 6 g) of pork. Combinations of six freezing rates, two storage times and three thawing rates were used. Cavities created after sublimation of the ice crystals were quantitatively analysed using an image analysis software package. The cross-sectional areas of cavities of meat samples in the frozen state were approximately ten times the areas of the cavities of the fresh and thawed samples. The large cavities in the frozen state grossly distorted the muscle cell structures. Upon thawing, the meat structure had almost completely recovered. No significant freezing rate effects were observed, however, trends were evident. Significant storage time effects were observed. In the frozen state, at the 90th percentile level, the hole area fraction was greater in stored samples for intermediate cavity areas. In thawed samples, hole area fractions of stored samples were greater than in samples without storage.     

EFFECTS OF CRYOPROTECTANTS IN MINIMIZING PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHANGES OF BOVINE NATURAL ACTOMYOSIN DURING FROZEN STORAGE1

Physicochemical changes in bovine natural actomyosin extracted from prerigor semimembranosus muscle were investigated during frozen storage at ?28°C as affected by the addition of cryoprotectants (5.6% Polydextrose® or 5.6% mixture (1:1) of sucrose and sorbitol). Proteins were destabilized during freezing and frozen storage as reflected by decreases in protein solubility, the visual appearance of aggregates in protein sols, decrease in intensity of flow birefringence, intrinsic viscosity and ATPase activity, and changes in size, shape, or charge of the protein (especially myosin) as evidenced by nondenaturing electrophoresis. These effects were reduced to some extent by the two cryoprotectant treatments.     

Heating method and final temperature affect processing characteristics of beef semimembranosus muscle

The effect of thawing and cooking regimes on the processing characteristics and colour of cooked roast beef made from frozen beef cap-on inside round (semimembranosus, adductor and gracilus muscle) was investigated. After thawing in air or water, the cap was removed and the insides were pumped (110%), tumbled (30 min continuously) and then cooked in either constant-temperature water baths or baths where a 10?°C difference was maintained between the roast and the water to an internal temperature of 63 or 80?°C. Purge was higher for insides thawed in air. Insides that were cooked at a constant temperature had higher cook yields the same was seen for lower end-point temperatures. Colour of raw insides thawed in water was slightly redder than insides thawed in air. Thawing and cooking regime did not affect the colour of cooked slices but the higher the end temperature, the higher the Hunter L and the lower the Hunter a and b values. Data from this research suggests that roast beef manufacturers should evaluate thawing and cooking procedures to ensure they optimize their process.     

Effects of freezing temperature and duration of frozen storage on lipid and protein oxidation in chicken meat

This study examined the effects of freezing temperature and duration of frozen storage on lipid and protein oxidation in chicken leg and breast meat. The meat was frozen at three different temperatures (−7, −12 and −18 °C) and then stored at −18 °C for up to 6 months. A significant effect of frozen storage duration on lipid oxidation was detected in leg and breast meat, whereas freezing temperature had no significant effect. In leg meat, freezing at −7 °C had a significant impact on protein oxidation, measured as the increase in carbonyl groups and the decrease in total sulphydryl groups, after 3 months of frozen storage. Lipid and protein oxidation appeared to occur simultaneously in chicken meat during frozen storage and was more intense in leg meat than in breast meat.     

Effect of cooking temperature and cooking time on Warner-Bratzler tenderness measurement and collagen content in rabbit meat

The effects of cooking temperature (50-90?°C) and time (10-120 min) on Warner-Bratzler (WB) tenderness measurement of longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle in 70-day-old rabbits were investigated. Cooking losses, total collagen content and collagen solubility of LL muscle were measured in parallel. Increasing cooking temperature caused a four-phase effect on WB measurement. Stress and total energy were significantly increased between raw meat and cooked meat at 50?°C, then they dramatically decreased to a minimum observed at 60-65?°C, and increased again to reach a maximum at 80-90?°C. Cooking losses exhibited an 83% increase between 50 and 80?°C. At 80?°C, stress and total energy values remained constant after 20 and 40 min respectively. LL muscle collagen content was 16.4±2.3 mg/g of dried muscle. Collagen solubility at 77?°C for 1 h was high: 75.3±8.1%.     

冻藏对兔肉理化特性及微观结构的影响

以兔背最长肌为材料,研究冻藏温度对兔肉pH值、色泽、嫩度、保水性、挥发性盐基氮含量、硫代巴
比妥酸值、蛋白质溶解度、凝胶G’值和微观结构的影响。结果表明：－18 ℃冻藏时pH值下降的速度比－40 ℃和
－80 ℃冻藏快;冻藏温度越高,兔肉色泽和嫩度越差,解冻损失率、蒸煮损失率越大,挥发性盐基氮含量、硫代
巴比妥酸值越高,蛋白质溶解度和凝胶G’值越低,微观结构变化越严重。不同温度条件下,冻藏60 d后兔肉的多项
指标变化速度较快,因此冻藏时间以不超过60 d为宜。     

The Effects of Applying Oscillating Magnetic Fields During the Freezing of Apple and Potato

The use of Oscillating Magnetic Fields (OMF) during freezing has been advocated by some for preserving the intrinsic ‘fresh’ qualities of the subsequently thawed food. This paper describes studies to investigate the effects of a range of different OMF freezing settings using an ABI Cells Alive System (CAS) freezer on characteristics of the freezing process and food-quality parameters. The effects of short-term frozen storage on sample properties were also evaluated. Apple and potato samples were frozen at ??30 or ??45 °C with a range of OMF settings whilst measuring sample temperatures. Samples were then either immediately thawed or stored frozen for 1 month. Effects of OMF on freezing temperature curve texture parameters, sample dimensions, sample weights and sample texture parameters of thawed samples were determined. Overall, results showed no statistically significant continuum of effect in these trials that prevails across all CAS settings and/or temperatures for apple and potato for any parameter measured. However, significant effects were seen at some settings for some parameters for each product, and this may suggest that OMF may possibly be tuneable for specific situations. Where significant changes did occur, these only appeared at isolated settings, temperatures or storage periods. This suggests that OMF may not affect all foods in an equal manner and that any effect depends on an interrelationship of food type, freezing rate, magnetic field frequency and storage conditions. We conclude that there is no major effect of OMF on freezing parameters and there is no overall pattern of OMF on freezing processes.     

Quality changes during the frozen storage of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) muscle after pressure shift freezing and pressure assisted thawing

Quality of frozen sea bass muscle stored (1, 3 and 5 months) at two levels of temperature (−15 and −25 °C) after a pressure shift freezing process (200 MPa) — PSF — and/or a pressure assisted thawing process (200 MPa) — PAT — was evaluated in comparison with samples frozen and thawed using conventional methods (air-blast AF and AT, respectively). Frozen storage of high-pressure treated samples did not significantly affect initial quality of frozen muscle. Thus, parameters related to protein denaturation and extractability, water holding capacity and color presented similar values than those obtained for not stored samples. In addition, the improvement of the microstructure achieved by PSF application remains unchanged during frozen storage. On the other hand, conventional treated samples experienced significant changes during frozen storage, such as protein denaturation, and water holding capacity and color modifications. Storage temperatures did not have influence in the quality of PSF and PAT samples, but it showed some effects in AF muscle.Industrial relevance: This work demonstrates the potential application and benefits of high pressure (HP) in the freezing and thawing of fish meat in comparison to conventional methods, due to an improvement on the cellular integrity of the tissue. Although some negative effects are produced during processing with HP, no additional modifications occur during the frozen storage. The studied methodologies seemed to be very suitable for fish freezing and thawing, especially for products which will be frozen stored and/or cooked.     

Definition of the optimal freezing rate-2. Investigation of the physico-chemical properties of beef M. longissimus dorsi frozen at different freezing rates

The influence of freezing rate on weight loss during the freezing, thawing and cooking, on water-binding capacity, on sensory and other physico-chemical properties of beef M. longissimus dorsi was investigated. The changes in myofibrillar proteins in muscle samples frozen at different freezing rates were also investigated.

The greatest weight losses during the freezing, thawing and cooking were registered at slow freezing procedures (freezing rate of 0·22 cm/h and 0·29 cm/h), when the meat was tougher and less soft. The solubility of myofibrillar proteins was least from those muscles frozen at such freezing rates.

The freezing of samples at freezing rates of 3·33 cm/h and 3·95 cm/h had less influence on their physico-chemical characteristics. The solubility of the myofibrillar proteins from such samples was greatest, and the cooked samples were the most tender.

From analysis of the results it was concluded that optimal conditions for meat freezing seem to be those when the average freezing rate is 2–5 cm/h.     

Use of Cryoprotectants to Stabilize Functional Properties of Prerigor Salted Beef During Frozen Storage

Changes in functional properties (gelforming ability, water-holding capacity, and protein solubility) of salted prerigor beef and postrigor beef were measured over 6 months frozen storage at ?28°C, as affected by addition of 5.6% cryoprotectants [Polydextrose® or a mixture (1:1) of sucrose and sorbitol]. Addition of NaCl to comminuted muscle prior to freezing accelerated destabilization of muscle proteins with respect to functional properties. This effect was reduced by cryoprotectants; most effectively by sucrose/sorbitol and only slightly less effectively by polydextrose. As evidenced by the parameters investigated, quality of prerigor salted muscle treated with cryoprotectants and stored 6 months was approximately equal to that of untreated postrigor meat prior to freezing.     

Effect of water and salt content on protein solubility and water retention of meat preblends

Different preblend water contents at a constant ionic strength were investigated to determine if increasing water availability would increase protein solubility and water retention in meat preblends. Four salt levels (0, 2, 4 and 8%) and four water levels (0, 20, 40 and 80% formulation water) were used with ground bovine semimembranosus muscle that had been frozen once. Ground muscle was mixed with either NaCl alone (0% formulation water) or NaCl and brine (20, 40 and 80% formulation water) for the 2, 4 and 8% NaCl treatments. Distilled water was used for the 0% NaCl treatment. The mixtures were stored at 5°C for 12 h. Following storage, the water/brine content was standardized, and protein solubility and water retention were measured. Elevating the water content of preblends, in which the salt concentration had been standardized, increased the water retained during centrifugation (P < 0·05). Although not statistically significant, a similar trend was observed for protein solubility. Four percent NaCl produced the greatest protein dissolution and water retention.     

Effects of sodium chloride and lactates on chemical and microbiological changes in refrigerated and frozen fresh ground pork

Changes in fat oxidation and color of freshly ground pork, 14% fat, during storage at 2?°C for 15 days and at -20?°C for up to 70 days were determined. The fresh meat was further treated with NaCl (1 and 2%, by weight), sodium or potassium lactate (2%), and combinations of NaCl and lactates. The microbial stability of the refrigerated meat was enhanced by the lactates, and their combinations with NaCl were more effective than lactates alone in delaying the onset of spoilage. Changes in TBARS were seen in the untreated meat only after it was judged spoiled when stored at 2?°C (day 7), and after 69 days at -20?°C. Among treatments, fat stability was highest in lactate-treated meat, and TBARS values were generally similar to those in untreated meat. NaCl enhanced fat oxidation, and the effects of 2% salt were significantly higher than those of 1% (P<0.05). Combinations with lactates reduced the prooxidant effects of NaCl at both storage temperatures, and the effects were more pronounced in meat with 2% NaCl stored at -20?°C. The red color (a* value) was enhanced by NaCl and lactates immediately after their addition to the meat. However, values for all treatments, including the untreated meat, declined rapidly after 4 days at 2?°C, and were 50-70% lower than the initial values after 8 days. Color stability in the frozen meat was highest in control and lactate-treated samples throughout the storage period. It was lowest in samples with 2% NaCl, whether alone or in combination with lactates. Sodium or potassium lactate (2%) enhanced the microbial stability of refrigerated pork without deleterious effects on its color or fat stability. Combinations of lactates with NaCl improved the fat stability, particularly during storage at -20?°C, by reducing the prooxidant activity of NaCl.     

GEL-FORMING ABILITY OF COMMON CARP FISH (CYPRINUS CARPIO) MEAT: EFFECT OF FREEZING AND FROZEN STORAGE

Effect of freezing and frozen storage on gel‐forming ability of muscle from fresh water fish, common carp (Cyprinus carpio), was investigated. Fresh carp meat had good gel‐forming ability as revealed by large strain test (gel strength of 1027 g·cm) and dynamic viscoelastic behavior. Freezing and frozen storage at ?18C for 180 days significantly (P < 0.01) reduced the gel‐forming ability of common carp meat. Reduction in protein solubility and calcium‐activated adenosinetriphosphatase enzyme activity of common carp meat during frozen storage was also significant (P < 0.05). Structural change of proteins during frozen storage was evident from reduced viscosity and gel filtration profile. Higher drip loss and reduction in gel‐forming ability of carp meat is attributed to denaturation of proteins during frozen storage.     

Effect of freezing method and frozen storage duration on instrumental quality of lamb throughout display

This study evaluated the effect of freezing method (FM) (air blast freezer, freezing tunnel, or nitrogen chamber) and frozen storage duration (FSD) (1, 3, or 6 months) on the instrumental measurements of quality of thawed lamb, aged for a total of 72 h, throughout a 10-d display period, compared to the quality of fresh meat. pH, colour, lipid oxidation, thawing, and cooking losses in Longissimus thoracis and lumborum muscle, were determined following standard methods. FM affected yellowness, FSD redness and thawing losses, and both affected oxidation (increased as freezing rate decreased and/or as storage duration increased). When compared with fresh meat, the main differences appeared on oxidation (where a significant interaction between treatment (3FM × 3FSD + fresh meat) with display duration was detected), and on total losses (thaw + cook losses). Oxidation was lower in fresh meat, but values were not significantly different from those stored frozen for 1 month. Fresh meat had smaller total losses than did thawed meat, but losses were not significantly different from meat frozen in the freezing tunnel and stored frozen for 1 month. Display duration had a greater effect on instrumental quality parameters than did FM or FSD. pH, b*, and oxidation increased, and L* and a* decreased with an increase in the number of days on display. In conclusion, neither freezing method nor frozen storage up to 6 months influenced extensively the properties of lamb when instrumental measurements of quality were measured in meat that had been displayed for 1 d after thawing. The small deterioration shown in this study should not give consumers concerns about frozen meat.     

Effect of freezing temperature, thawing and cooking rate on water distribution in two pork qualities

The effects of freezing temperature (-20 versus -80°C) in combination with long-term freezer storage (-20°C) on water mobility and distribution in pork of two qualities (normal and high ultimate pH) were explored using low-field NMR T(2) relaxometry. A marked effect of freezing temperature on the characteristics of intra- and extramyofibrillar water (T(2) relaxation times) in the thawed pork was demonstrated, implying that the freezing temperature in combination with prolonged freezer storage affects the distribution and chemical-physical state of water in the thawed meat. Determination of technological properties (thawing and cooking loss) revealed that the observed T(2) variations related to water distribution and water properties, which were found to be consistent with the degree of structural damage assessed by light microscopy, also were reflected in the technological quality of the meat. Low freezing temperature in combination with prolonged freezer storage was associated with increased thawing and cooking loss. In addition, pH in the fresh meat had a pronounced effect on the distribution of myofibrillar water, as a more homogenous pore size distribution was evident in meat with high pH compared with normal pH. A clear effect of cooking rate on the T(2) relaxation characteristics in the cooked pork was also demonstrated, probably reflecting a cooking rate-induced effect on the myofibrillar structures. The effect of cooking rate on water distribution resulted in a significantly lower cooking loss upon a slow cooking rate (0.5°C/min from 25 to 65°C and 0.3°C/min from 65 to 80°C) compared with a fast cooking rate (1°C/min).     

FREEZING OF RAW BEEF: INFLUENCE OF AGING, FREEZING RATE AND COOKING METHOD ON QUALITY AND YIELD

The combined effects of aging, freezing rate, frozen storage and cooking method on beef quality and yield were studied in a multifactorial experiment, using 1.5 cm slices of LD muscles from young steers. Aging for 2 wk resulted in significantly more tender, but slightly less juicy frozen meat than aging for 4 days. Prolonged frozen storage gave tougher meat and a larger tenderness difference between aging times. Freezing rates of 13, 2.0 and 0.04 cm/h differed but little in their effect on sensory quality, but slightly lower yield and redness value were noted for the lowest rate. Pan frying directly from the frozen state resulted in slightly higher juiciness and cooking yield, with larger differences in yield between freezing rates, than cooking after previous thawing. Significant interactions were noted for cooking method × freezing rate and for aging time × frozen storage time