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Effects of Freeze-Thaw Cycle on the Quality Properties and Microstructure of Rabbit Muscle

ZHANG Dan, SUN Jin-hui, WANG Xiao-xiang, SHANG Yong-biao, PENG Zeng-qi   

  1. 1. College of Food Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; 2. Quality and Safety Risk Assessment Laboratory of
    Products Preservation (Chongqing), Ministry of Agriculture, Chongqing 400715, China; 3. Chongqing Special Food Programme and
    Technology Research Center, Chongqing 400715, China; 4. College of Food Science and Technology,Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
  • Online:2014-04-15 Published:2014-04-18

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to research the effects of freeze-thaw cycle on the quality properties andmicrostructure of rabbit muscle. The rabbit longissimus dorsi was frozen for 7 d at - 40 ℃ and then allowed to naturallythaw. The thawing loss (TL), pH, color, cooking loss (CL), shear force (SF) protein solubility, rheological properties andmicrostructure of rabbit meat were studied. The results showed that with increasing the number of freeze- thaw cycles,the pH, SF and protein solubility were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while TL and CL were increased significantly(P < 0.05). L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness) rose gradually, whereas a* (redness) declined significantly (P < 0.05). G’also declined gradually during the heating process. The microstructure was altered obviously, as indicated by endomysialbreakdown, increased space between fibers, loose structure, and so on. After repeated freeze-thaw cycles, the qualityproperties of rabbit meat declined and the microstructure of muscle was damaged seriously.

Key words: rabbit, freeze-thaw cycle, quality properties, rheological properties, microstructure