Effect of frozen storage conditions (temperature and length of storage) on microbiological and sensory quality of rustic crossbred beef at different states of ageing

Tracking nutritional and quality changes in frozen pork: A 12-month study using 7 categories of meat parameters and VIS/NIR spectroscopy

Frozen pork stocks are critical for stabilizing food security and prices, but assessing nutritional and physicochemical changes during freezing remains challenging. This study conducted a 12-month frozen storage experiment at -20 °C on 50 pigs' longissimus muscles, quantifying changes in 62 meat quality components in 7 categories, including thawing loss, myoglobin, fatty acids, amino acids, and deterioration indicators. The Prophet model suggests pork retains good quality for 1-2 years under proper freezing, with significant deterioration appearing after 4 years. Phenotypic correlations across dimensions reveal key interactions and abnormalities, such as arachidonic acid (C20:4n6) and methionine (Met) deviating from their respective clusters. Using VIS/NIRS and nine machine learning algorithms, a storage time classification model achieved 85.8 % accuracy with SpecimIQ transmission spectra and AdaBoost. These findings demonstrate the potential of VIS/NIRS in food safety and processing, providing a practical solution for precise storage duration identification and valuable insights for managing frozen pork reserves.

The quality of aged beef and aged-then-frozen lamb meat after up to 2 years of frozen storage at -12 or -18 °C

This study investigated the effect of 2 years frozen storage at -12 or -18 °C on aged beef and aged or unaged lamb meat quality. The first study compared 5-week aged longissimus lumborum muscle (LL) frozen for 0 (unfrozen), 1 or 2 years at either frozen storage temperature (n = 24, 4 samples per frozen storage period/temperature combination). Shear force was higher for frozen beef than unfrozen beef (P = 0.025). Sarcomere length, ultimate pH, cooking loss, purge loss, and total loss were higher for unfrozen beef compared to frozen beef. There were no frozen storage period effects on the population of Brochothrix thermosphacta, Clostridium perfringens, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae sp., and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) - all microorganisms, excluding LAB, were at levels below their respective levels of detection. Both -12 and -18 °C preserved beef to comparable levels of quality, irrespective of the frozen storage duration. The second study compared 0- and 8-week aged lamb that was subsequently frozen for 2 years at either frozen storage temperature (n = 24, 6 LL per chilled storage period/frozen storage temperature combination). Particle size and shear force were lower for 8-week aged lamb. There were no differences in the quality of lamb meat held at -12 and -18 °C for 2 years, with all the samples of comparable and acceptable quality. These findings demonstrate that 2 years of frozen storage at -12 °C is viable for aged cuts of red meat and provides comparable quality to a colder (-18 °C) frozen storage temperature.

Dose-dependent effects of dietary curcumin nano-micelles on the quality characteristics of Longissimuslumborum muscle in fattening lambs during extended freezing storage

The current study evaluated the impact of dietary curcumin nano-micelles (CNM) on the quality of Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle in lambs during long-term freezing storage. Thirty-two crossbred male lambs were assigned into four groups receiving 0, 20, 40, or 80 mg CNM daily over a 97-day fattening period. Meat samples were analyzed for quality attributes over nine months of freezing. Supplementation with CNM, especially at 40 mg, improved carcass characteristics and reduced saturated and branched-chain fatty acids. Notably, CNM preserved meat color, enhanced water-holding capacity, and reduced drip and cooking losses, with the 40 mg dosage showing the most significant effects. While meat tenderness was unaffected, CNM exhibited antioxidant properties by reducing lipid peroxidation and stabilizing enzyme activities and total antioxidant capacity. These results indicate that CNM, particularly at 40 mg, enhances meat quality during long-term freezing, especially after six months. The findings underscore CNM's potential as a natural additive to improve lamb meat stability and quality during extended frozen storage, with implications for both the meat industry and consumer satisfaction.

The Effect of Ice-Binding Protein from Leucosporidium sp. AY30 (LeIBP) on the Physicochemical Quality and Microstructure of Largemouth Bass During Freeze-Thaw Cycles

This study investigated the effect of various concentrations (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.5%) of ice-binding protein from Leucosporidium sp. AY30 (LeIBP) on the freezing efficiency, microstructure, and physicochemical quality of largemouth bass during freeze-thaw cycles and demonstrated the optimal addition conditions of LeIBP. This study found that LeIBP could effectively lower the freezing point of fish without altering the phase transition time significantly. LeIBP can significantly reduce the cross-sectional area and diameter of ice crystals and inhibit recrystallization. LeIBP was found to maintain the stability of protein secondary structure and prevented protein denaturation by increasing the proportion of α-helix. The inclusion of LeIBP retained the water-holding capacity of fish effectively. Furthermore, LeIBP treatment could partially prevent the degradation of fish meat texture. The lightness and whiteness values of fish treated with LeIBP were increased, while the redness and yellowness values were decreased. At the end of freeze-thaw cycle, the LeIBP-treated group presented pH values similar to fresh fish. Overall, 0.05% LeIBP was observed to be the most effective concentration to inhibit ice crystal growth, thereby maintaining the quality of the fish.

An exploratory study on the quality of the Longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of impala (Aepyceros melampus), mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) in South Africa

Physicochemical quality, fatty acids, volatile compounds and shelf-life profiles of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of three game species: impala, mountain reedbuck and springbok harvested from a private game estate were measured. Average live weight at slaughter that ranged from 28 to 36 kg was included in the study. The carcass weights were recorded 24 h after slaughter. The longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) muscle was sampled for meat analyses. Impala and springbok LTL had higher (P ≤ 0.05) pH24 and cooking loss values than the mountain reedbuck. In addition, the springbok had more tender (P ≤ 0.05) meat than the impala and mountain reedbuck. The mountain reedbuck and springbok had higher (P ≤ 0.05) proportions of oleic acid, total monounsaturated fatty acids (FA), linoleic acid, omega (n)-6 polyunsaturated FA, and alpha-linolenic acid compared to impala. During retail display, redness and chroma decreased over time, while yellowness and hue showed an upward trend for all species (P ≤ 0.05). It was observed that species affected meat quality, total proportions of fatty acids and volatile compounds.

Effects and mechanism of sub-freezing storage on water holding capacity and tenderness of beef

In order to explore the effect of sub-freezing storage on water holding capacity and tenderness of beef, four treatments were compared in this study: sub-freezing (-7 °C) fast sub-freezing (-38 °C until the core temperature achieved to -7 °C), superchilling (-1 °C) and fast frozen (-38 °C until the core temperature achieved to -18 °C) with the latter two treatments serving as the controls. The differences in muscle fiber structure, water distribution, protein oxidation and cytoskeletal protein degradation were studied. The results demonstrated that compared with other treatments, the fast sub-freezing treatment resulted in less structural damage to the muscle fibers and had better water holding capacity. Both sub-freezing and fast sub-freezing treatments inhibited protein oxidation compared with superchilling, but the former treatment's level of protein oxidation was higher than that in fast sub-freezing treatment during long-term storage (42 weeks). In addition, the structural proteins in the sub-freezing and fast sub-freezing treatments underwent faster degradation during long-term storage and therefore the meat was more tender compared with the fast frozen treatment. The results indicate that the fast sub-freezing treatment can be potentially applied in beef storage.

Assessing meat quality and textural properties of broiler chickens: the impact of voltage and frequency in reversible electrical water-bath stunning

The implementation of the head-only electrical stunning procedure in poultry processing has been aimed at enhancing eating, ethical, and religious quality. However, inconsistencies in voltage and frequency standardization, along with variations in previous research outcomes, have led to numerous cases of both under-stunned and over-stunned birds. Thus, this study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effects of varying voltages and frequencies during electrical water bath stunning on carcass quality, meat attributes, and textural properties in broiler chickens. A cohort of 240 healthy female broilers (Cobb 500, 42-days-old, 2 kg ± 0.1 kg) was meticulously selected from a commercial farm. The birds underwent exposure to different stunning voltages (2.5, 10.5, 30, and 40 V) and frequencies (50 and 300 Hz). Subsequent analyses were conducted on meat samples to assess physicochemical properties, carcass quality, and textural attributes. The findings revealed a higher incidence of petechial hemorrhage (P < 0.05) in birds stunned at 10.5 V compared to other voltage. Notably, no broken bones were recorded in birds subjected to high voltages (30 and 40 V). Low frequency (50 Hz) significantly increased the occurrence of petechial hemorrhage and simultaneously resulted in pectoralis major muscle with decreased redness (a*). Birds subjected to the 10.5 V stunning treatment exhibited a lower cooking loss percentage. Significant interactions between voltage and ageing (V × A) were observed. Birds stunned at 30 V and aged for 7 d displayed highest drip loss compared to a one-day ageing period across different voltage levels. This interaction also impacted pH values, with birds subjected to 10.5 V showing significantly lower (P < 0.05) pH at d 7 of ageing. The meat hardness was influenced by the V × A interaction, wherein birds stunned at 10.5 V exhibited lower hardness after one day of ageing compared to other voltage levels. Red wing tips, lightness (L*), adhesiveness, and resilience were also significantly impacted (P < 0.05) by the interaction between frequency and voltage. A notable 3-way interaction was observed for gumminess and chewiness (F × V × A), where the 2-way interaction between frequency and voltage (F × V) affected both parameters differently at various ageing periods. Additionally, there was a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between frequency and voltage influencing shear strength and yellowness.

Assessing Individual Muscle Characteristics to Enhance Frozen-Thawed Meat Quality

This study assessed previous research aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of freeze-thawing on meat quality. Specifically, it focuses on assessing the physicochemical alterations in meat resulting from freezing, freeze-thawing, or technologies to minimize these alterations. Recent studies have focused on conventional freeze-thaw technology applicable across various livestock species and muscle types. However, recent research has indicated the necessity for developing freeze-thaw technology considering the unique characteristics of individual muscles. In this review, we summarize previous studies that have compared alterations in the physicochemical properties of primary muscles owing to freezing or freeze-thawing. Despite the introduction of various technologies to significantly reduce the adverse effects on meat quality resulting from freeze-thawing, it is essential to consider the unique characteristics (proximate composition, pH, and muscle fiber characteristics) of individual muscles or cuts to develop enhanced the freeze-thaw processing technology.

Characterization and the mechanism underlying the cryoprotective activity of a peptide from large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea)

Ice crystal-induced protein denaturation is the main cause of the deterioration of fish during frozen storage and transportation. In this study, the ultra-performance liquid chromatography - quadrupole - time of flight (UPLC-Q-TOF) technique was used to identify and screen tryptic peptides Ile-Glu-Glu-Leu-Glu-Glu-Leu-Glu-Ala-Glu-Arg (IEELEEELEAER) from large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea). The results were used study their cryoprotective effects on turbot fish meat during freeze-thaw cycles at different concentrations, and to investigate their anti-freezing mechanism. The results showed that the I-2.0 group effectively inhibiting the degeneration and structure changes of myofibrillar proteins after three freeze-thaw cycles, and the Ca2+-ATPase activity (1.65 μmolPi/mg/h), increased by 55.86% compared with that of the control group. Additionally, peptide IEELEEELEAER could provide antifreeze protection by binding to the surface of ice crystals and inhibiting their transformation. This peptide acts as a natural cryoprotectant and might be used for the cryogenic storage and transportation of fish products.

Effect of beef long-storage under different temperatures and vacuum-packaging conditions on meat quality, oxidation processes and microbial growth

BACKGROUND

The global beef market demands the meat industry to ensure product quality and safety in markets that are often very distant. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of chilled (CH, 120 d) and chilled-then-frozen (CHF, 28 d + 92 d) storage conditions of beef vacuum packaged (VP) and vacuum packaged with antimicrobial (VPAM) on meat quality, oxidative status and microbial loads. Treatments resulted from the combination of storage condition and packaging type: VP + CH, VP + CHF, VPAM + CH and VPAM + CHF.

RESULTS

Warner-Bratzler shear force values decreased in all treatments after 28 d of chilling. Except for VP + CH, L* values (lightness) of meat color did not differ in each treatment as the storage time increased. Meat from VP + CH had greater a* values than CHF treatments on day 120 of storage. A consumer panel did not detect differences in tenderness, flavor and overall liking between VP and VPAM beef, but they preferred CHF steaks rather than CH beef. TBARS values did not differ between VP and VPAM and between CH and CHF at any time during the storage period. At the end of storage time, all treatments except VP + CHF presented a greater concentration of thiols than at 48 h post-mortem. On day 120 of storage, VP + CH had greater catalase enzyme activity than CHF treatments while VP + CH and VP + CHF showed a greater superoxide dismutase activity than VPAM + CHF. Storage condition (CH or CHF) had a greater impact on microbial counts than the type of packaging.

CONCLUSION

Freezing meat after an ageing period represents a suitable strategy to extend beef storage life without a detrimental impact on its quality. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of ultimate pH on quality of aged Longissimus dorsi muscle of Zebu Nellore (Bos indicus) during long-term frozen storage

Despite the relatively high occurrence of bovine meat with intermediate to high ultimate pH (pHu), there is a lack of studies focused on the effects of long-term conventional air-blasting freezing storage on quality parameters of commercial beefs of Zebu Nellore (Bos indicus) with varying pHu ranges. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of pHu ranges [normal (≤5.79), intermediate (5.80 to 6.19), and high (≥6.20)] and long-term frozen storage on quality parameters of aged Longissimus dorsi beefs of Zebu Nellore (Bos indicus). The aging conditions were set at 2 °C for 14 days, while the freezing conditions were set at - 20 °C, and samples were collected after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of storage. The results indicated that the pHu influenced meat quality parameters, as well as the chemical forms of myoglobin, which changed throughout the frozen storage, leading to a brighter red color, especially for the normal pHu beef samples, likely due to increased oxymyoglobin content. Frozen storage improved tenderness, with high pHu beef samples being the more tender after 12 months, potentially due to lower protein oxidation, as measured by the carbonyl content. Increased drip loss was observed over freezing time, with a concomitant decrease in protein solubility, especially for myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic proteins, which differed among the pHu ranges. These findings are valuable for determining freezing time as a preservation strategy to maintain beef quality within different pHu ranges.

Challenges and processing strategies to produce high quality frozen meat

Freezing is an effective means to extend the shelf-life of meat products. However, freezing and thawing processes lead to physical (e.g., ice crystals formation and freezer burn) and biochemical changes (e.g., protein denaturation and lipid oxidation) in meat resulting in loss of quality. Over the last two decades, several attempts have been made to produce thawed meat with qualities similar to that of fresh meat to no avail. This is due to the fact that no single technique exists to date that can mitigate all the quality challenges caused by freezing and thawing. This is further confounded by the consumer perception of frozen meat as lower quality compared to equivalent fresh-never-frozen meat cuts. Therefore, it remains challenging for the meat industry to produce high quality frozen meat and increase consumer acceptability of frozen products. This review aimed to provide an overview of the applications of novel freezing and thawing technologies that could improve the quality of thawed meat including deep freezing, high pressure, radiofrequency, electro-magnetic resonance, electrostatic field, immersion solution, microwave, ohmic heating, and ultrasound. This review will also discuss the development in processing strategies such as optimising the ageing of meat pre- or post-freezing, and the integration of freezing and thawing in one process/regime to collapse the difference in quality between thawed meat and fresh-never-frozen equivalents.

Impact of frozen storage on some functional properties and sensory evaluation of goose meat

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in the functional properties (pH, water holding capacity [WHC], water binding capacity [WBC], cooking losses [CL], defrosting losses [DL]), color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C, h°, ΔE), and sensory evaluation of breast (BM) and leg (LM) muscles from 17-wk-old female White Kołuda geese packaged in a vacuum and stored in frozen conditions at -20°C. During 17 wk, the geese were fed ad libitum on the same complete feed. The samples (18 BM and 18 LM) from the right part of the carcasses were stored for 30, 90, 80, 270, and 365 d. The changes in functional properties were established using a standard method used in the meat industry, according to Wierbicki et al. (1962), Grau and Hamm (1953), and CIE, (1986). Sensory evaluation was established according to defined parameters in PN-ISO 8586-2:2008. The time of frozen storage affected the decrease in WHC and WBC of BM and LM. Moreover, the LM can be characterized by a higher WHC and WBC compared to the values in the BM. It was established that CL and DL, which are the critical quality indicators, negatively increased in BM and LM during frozen storage. Considering the sensory evaluation and L*, a*, b*, C, it was established that changes in BM and LM during frozen storage were unfavorable. The scores given for smell, taste, consistency, and general appearance, as also L*, a*, and b* parameters decreased significantly during frozen storage. In addition, BM received lower scores for general appearance (at 180th and 270th day), and L* (in all frozen storage), than LM. BM and LM characterized the parameter ΔE in the range of 0.44 to 1.45, which allowed us to conclude that slight color differences were visible in these muscles (<2). Based on the study, it can be suggested that the optimal frozen storage time for BM and LM should not be longer than 180 d.

Storage Stability of Meat Analogs Supplemented with Vegetable Oils

The addition of various oils to meat analog has been an important topic to improving its juiciness and tenderness. However, this causes a concern about oil leaching from the meat analog during long-term storage. Here, we aimed to assess the storage stability of vegetable-oil-supplemented meat analogs and analyze the effects of temperature and storage period on their physiochemical characteristics. The meat analogs were prepared by adding 30 g castor oil, orange oil, palm oil, shortening, or margarine vegetable oil based on 100 g of textured vegetable protein. They were then stored at -18 or -60 °C for 6 months and analyzed at one-month intervals. The meat analog supplemented with orange oil had the highest water content (64.85%; 66.07%), hardness (35.48 N; 34.05 N), and DPPH-radical-scavenging activity (30.01%; 30.87%) under -18 and -60 °C, respectively, as well as the highest liquid-holding capacity in different conditions. During frozen storage, temperature barely affected the meat quality. The storage stability of all meat analog samples was maintained for 6 months, although the quality was slightly reduced with an increase in storage duration. Coliform group bacteria were not detected regardless of the storage condition. In conclusion, all results supposed that orange oil can be a promising candidate for improving the juiciness and tenderness of meat analogs, and the quality of samples was maintained for at least 6 months under frozen storage. The findings of this study are relevant to the development and promotion of meat analog as an alternative to animal meat.

Effect of freezing on the quality of breast meat from broilers affected by wooden breast myopathy

The objective of the present study was to characterize possible variations in the quality of wooden chicken breast meat during freezing for 12 mo, in order to prove whether the shelf life recommended by the industry allows the storage of that type of meat without compromising its consumption. Three hundred samples of male Cobb 500 broilers slaughtered at 42 d of age were used. Part of the samples (n = 20 normal-control group; n = 20 moderate degree; n = 20 severe degree) were analyzed on the day of collection (beginning), previously kept under refrigeration (4°C). The other samples were stored (-18°C) for up to 12 mo. At the end of each proposed freezing period (3, 6, 9, and 12 mo), physical and chemical analyses were performed (per period: n = 20 normal-control group; n = 20 moderate degree; n = 20 severe degree). Color (L*, a*, and b*), pH, water-holding capacity, cooking losses, tenderness, lipid oxidation, chemical composition, cholesterol concentration, mineral profile, and collagen concentration were evaluated. The physicochemical quality of wooden chicken breast meat is significantly altered during frozen storage for 12 mo, being of inferior quality when compared to normal chicken breast meat, which can negatively affect consumer acceptance. However, it should be noted that even after 12 mo of freezing, the meats did not show oxidative rancidity.

Comparison of Thawing Treatments on Quality, Microbiota, and Organoleptic Characteristics of Chicken Meat Fillets

The current research attempted to evaluate the impact of various thawing techniques (R₀: control group, R₁: water immersion thawing, R₂: low-temperature thawing, R₃: combined thawing, water thawing then low-temperature thawing, R₄: combination thawing, low temperature thawing then water thawing, and R₅: oven thawing) on the quality, microbiota, and organoleptic characteristics of chicken meat fillets. The findings showed that moisture content varied from 74.43 to 72.33%; thawing loss peaked in R₁ at 4.66%, while it was minimum in R₅ at 2.10%. Lipid content varied from 1.09% in R₀ to 1.03% in R₅, while protein content varied from 22.06% in R₀ to 23.10% in R₁. The values of shear force, protein, and lipid oxidation increased for all treatments compared to control, ranging from 7.94 N to 9.54 N, 0.99-1.21 nm/mg protein, and 0.74-1.15 mg MDA/Kg, respectively. On the other hand, pH (5.94 in R₄) and protein solubility (238.63 mg/g in R₁) were decreased in contrast to the control group (6.08 and 298.27 mg/g). In association with different methods, R₅ and R₂ showed minimal thawing loss and the highest lipid and protein oxidation rates. However, R₃ showed reduced shear force and lipid oxidation comparatively. TPC was significantly (P < 0.05) increased in both R₂ and R₁. Sensory evaluation indicated that R₃ and R₂ showed better color and taste, while R₁ showed minimum scores for organoleptic attributes. R₀, R₃, and R₅ obtained a higher sensory score_, whereas R₁, R₂, and R₄ showed a lower score. However, R₅ exhibited better results in close association with the control group (R₀). Hence, it can be concluded that freezing and subsequent thawing decrease the quality of chicken fillets due to the time required for thawing. In the present study, the best quality of chicken fillets was retained by R₃ and R₅ due to their reduced thawing periods.

Characterizations and the Mechanism Underlying Cryoprotective Activity of Peptides from Enzymatic Hydrolysates of Pseudosciaena crocea

Antifreeze peptides are a class of small molecule protein hydrolysates that protect frozen products from cold damage under freezing or subcooling conditions. In this study, three different Pseudosciaena crocea (P. crocea) peptides were from pepsin, trypsin, and neutral protease enzymatic hydrolysis. It aimed to elect the P. crocea peptides with better activity through molecular weight, antioxidant activity, and amino acid analysis, as well as to compare the cryoprotective effects with a commercial cryoprotectant. The results showed that the untreated fillets were prone to be oxidized, and the water-holding capacity after freeze-thaw cycle decreased. However, the treatment of the trypsin hydrolysate of P. crocea protein significantly promoted the water-holding capacity level and reduced the loss of Ca²⁺-ATP enzyme activity and the structural integrity damage of myofibrillar protein in surimi. Moreover, compared with 4% sucrose-added fillets, trypsin hydrolysate treatment enhanced the umami of frozen fillets and reduced the unnecessary sweetness. Therefore, the trypsin hydrolysate of P. crocea protein could be used as a natural cryoprotectant for aquatic products. Hence, this study provides technical support for its use as a food additive to improve the quality of aquatic products after thawing and provides a theoretical basis and experimental foundation for the in-depth research and application of antifreeze peptides.

Effect of freezing-thawing on the quality changes of large yellow croaker treated by low-salt soaking during frozen storage

Introduction

The production of the large yellow croaker has seasonal and regional characteristics, which is typically preserved on ice, possibly leading to its deterioration in a short time. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the effect of temperature fluctuation on the quality changes of the large yellow croaker during frozen storage.

Methods

In this experiment, the large yellow croaker was soaked in a low-salt solution, and physical and chemical properties, water-holding capacity, color, and protein characteristics of the muscle were investigated after repeated freeze-thaw (F-T) cycles and frozen storage.

Results and discussion

The results show the deterioration of muscle quality of large yellow croaker after low-salt treatment was lower than that of the salt-free soaking group. The salting treatment significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced the yield of large yellow croaker, which was 24.3% greater than the salt-free soaking group after 6 weeks of frozen storage. The microstructure of the salted muscle was more stable and maintained its cellular structure after F-T cycles and frozen storage. The b* value of the salt-free soaking group increased from b* value of the low-salt soaking group decreased from acceptable range. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis indicates the content of 17 kDa peptide decreased in the low-salt soaking group, and the peptides at 21 and 24 kDa increased during frozen storage. The results of the present study provide guidance for the optimal processing, transport, and storage of large yellow croaker, but the effect of salting on lipid oxidation and protein oxidation requires further study.

EFSA Panel on Biological Hazards (BIOHAZ), Koutsoumanis K, Allende A, Alvarez‐Ordóñez A, Bover‐Cid S, Chemaly M, De Cesare A, Herman L, Hilbert F, Lindqvist R, Nauta M, Peixe L, Ru G, Simmons M, Skandamis P, Suffredini E, Blagojevic B, Van Damme I, Hempen M, Messens W, Bolton D. Microbiological safety of aged meat

The impact of dry-ageing of beef and wet-ageing of beef, pork and lamb on microbiological hazards and spoilage bacteria was examined and current practices are described. As 'standard fresh' and wet-aged meat use similar processes these were differentiated based on duration. In addition to a description of the different stages, data were collated on key parameters (time, temperature, pH and aw) using a literature survey and questionnaires. The microbiological hazards that may be present in all aged meats included Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, enterotoxigenic Yersinia spp., Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium spp. Moulds, such as Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp., may produce mycotoxins when conditions are favourable but may be prevented by ensuring a meat surface temperature of -0.5 to 3.0°C, with a relative humidity (RH) of 75-85% and an airflow of 0.2-0.5 m/s for up to 35 days. The main meat spoilage bacteria include Pseudomonas spp., Lactobacillus spp. Enterococcus spp., Weissella spp., Brochothrix spp., Leuconostoc spp., Lactobacillus spp., Shewanella spp. and Clostridium spp. Under current practices, the ageing of meat may have an impact on the load of microbiological hazards and spoilage bacteria as compared to standard fresh meat preparation. Ageing under defined and controlled conditions can achieve the same or lower loads of microbiological hazards and spoilage bacteria than the variable log10 increases predicted during standard fresh meat preparation. An approach was used to establish the conditions of time and temperature that would achieve similar or lower levels of L. monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica (pork only) and lactic acid bacteria (representing spoilage bacteria) as compared to standard fresh meat. Finally, additional control activities were identified that would further assure the microbial safety of dry-aged beef, based on recommended best practice and the outputs of the equivalence assessment.

Conditions of the Stepwise Cooling Algorithm for Stable Supercooling Preservation and Freshness of Pork Loin

Supercooling has the advantage of maintaining the freshness of foods without a phase transition. However, it is hard to sustain the supercooled state. Static temperature control, one of the various supercooling technologies, is used for stable supercooling storage. In this experiment, the effect of following external factors in maintaining the supercooled state of foods was investigated. Three main parameters had an effect on the supercooled state of food: (1) properly setting the lower-temperature limit of the supercooling algorithm, (2) slow cooling to the target temperature, and (3) minimizing temperature fluctuation. Accordingly, the following stepwise cooling algorithm for pork loin was designed: a lower-temperature limit of −3.0 °C and a storage period = 36 h followed by a lower-temperature limit of −3.5 °C for 24 h. The samples conserved at −3.0 °C displayed a 100% supercooled state. Physicochemical properties including drip loss, cooking loss, texture, color, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN), and total aerobic count (TAC) of pork loin were analyzed. The drip loss values of the supercooled meat samples were lower than those of the superchilled ones. Furthermore, TVBN and TAC of the treated samples were not significantly different from those of the fresh samples (p > 0.05). In conclusion, supercooling storage extended the freshness and quality of pork loin better than refrigerated storage.

Processing Technology and Quality Change during Storage of Fish Sausages with Textured Soy Protein

The addition of textured soy protein (TSP) to surimi products extends the supply of fish protein and improves nutritional and sensory properties, which has attracted considerable research interest. In this study, a single-factor experiment and orthogonal experiment were used to determine the optimal process conditions and to assess the quality indicators of fish sausages during frozen storage. The results indicated that the optimal process conditions were as follows: the addition of 15% TSP, 8% potato starch, and 5% lard oil, resulting in a gel strength of 1894.32 g·cm. During storage of the formulation-optimized fish sausages for 180 days, the water-holding capacity, whiteness, texture properties, and gel strength of the fish sausages all decreased, whereas cooking loss, thawing loss, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances value, and total volatile base nitrogen value all increased. Consequently, TSP is beneficial to improve the gel strength and sensory score of fish sausages. The quality of fish sausages with added TSP was acceptable after storage at -18 °C, for 120 days.

Antioxidant, physicochemical, and sensory properties of buffalo meat patties incorporated with roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.), and beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.) purées

The present work evaluated the antioxidant, physicochemical, and sensory properties of buffalo meat patties incorporated with 2% roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.), wolfberry (Lycium barbarum L.), or beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), and chill-stored (4°C) for 11 days. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), shrinkage, cooking yield, water holding capacity, pH, colour, textural properties, and sensory evaluation of the patties were examined. Patties incorporated with roselle, wolfberry, and beetroot had increased scavenging activity, thus decreasing oxidative activity in the patties during storage. Cooking yield was improved in all treatments with significant decrease in pH in both cooked and uncooked roselle-incorporated patties. No changes were observed for the texture of all samples, while roselle-incorporated patties maintained the redness after the 11th day of storage. Sensory attributes of the modified patties were acceptable to all panellists. In conclusion, the incorporation of roselle in buffalo meat patties showed more beneficial effects than the other purées tested in improving the quality of the patties while maintaining their sensory properties.

The Effects of Preslaughter Electrical Stunning on Serum Cortisol and Meat Quality Parameters of a Slow-Growing Chinese Chicken Breed

Electrical stunning is widely utilized prior to a neck cut to induce unconsciousness in order to improve animal welfare and slaughter efficiency in the broiler production industry. However, slaughter without stunning is still very commonly used in China, in part because there is a belief that stunning reduces meat quality. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the physical (hemorrhages, pH, drip loss, and shear force) and chemical (inosinic monophosphate concentration and reducing sugar content) properties of broiler meat differed between chickens in preslaughter stunning and nonstunned slaughter groups, and whether the groups differed in their levels of cortisol as an indicator of stress. Serum cortisol levels of the nonstunned group were nearly twice as high as those in the stunned group (p < 0.05). Several meat quality indicators were better in the stunned group than in the nonstunned group. We concluded that electrical stunning prior to slaughter significantly decreases the stress caused by slaughter, resulting in both improved animal welfare and meat quality traits.

Comparative Study of Fresh and Frozen Broiler Neck Skin Sampled for Process Hygiene Purposes

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of freezing broiler neck skin samples before their microbial analysis, compared to freshly examined samples regarding total viable count (TVC) and Enterobacteriaceae count (EC). For this, 300 neck skin samples were taken at a German commercial broiler abattoir and each neck skin sample was cut into two parts. One randomly selected part underwent microbial examination after storage at 4 °C overnight; the other part was frozen at −30 °C for eight weeks before analysis in the same laboratory. Log cfu/g values of TVC and EC were separately compared between the fresh and frozen neck skin samples. A difference up to 0.5 log values was set as acceptable, i.e., fresh and frozen samples with counts that differed by this amount were considered as not different. The differences between the grouped samples of fresh and frozen broiler neck skin regarding both TVC and EC levels were less than 0.5 log values. Thus, it can be assumed that broiler neck skin samples, both fresh and frozen for eight weeks, are suitable for microbiological examination, as the TVC and EC results showed equivalence. Therefore, freezing broiler neck skin samples can be an option to maintain viable bacteria levels in broiler neck skin samples taken for microbiological examination in process control, when freezing and later examination is necessary due to insufficient laboratory capacity for the examination of fresh neck skin samples.

Development of temperature control algorithm for supercooling storage of pork loin and its feasibility for improving freshness and extending shelf life

Supercooling storage refers to lowering the product temperature below its freezing point without phase transition and has the potential to extend shelf life. Nevertheless, supercooled objects are in a thermodynamically unstable state, and nucleation can occur spontaneously. To achieve supercooling storage, slow cooling and insulation are essential. Hence, a stepwise algorithm for the supercooling storage of pork loins was designed and validated in this study. Pork loins were stored at 3°C, −18°C, and −3°C (freezing), and supercooled for 16 days. All samples remained in a supercooled state and were unfrozen at the end of storage. Supercooled pork loins were superior in terms of drip loss, cooking loss, and water-holding capacity compared to frozen samples. Additionally, supercooling treatment prevented discoloration, increase of volatile basic nitrogen, and microbial growth. Thus, supercooling of pork loin was achieved using a stepwise program and was effective to maintain meat quality.

A comparison of Nellore and Nellore-cross entire male cattle finished in a feedlot in a tropical area of Brazil with respect to carcass characteristics and meat quality after ageing either with or without 60days of prior frozen storage

ContextThe use of crosses between Bos taurus and Bos indicus has boosted cattle production in tropical areas of Brazil, improving carcass and meat standards. However, there is little information on Canchim animals crossed with Nellore. Additionally, freezing is a preservation method frequently used by consumers, which allows meat to be preserved for a prolonged period, but little is known regarding this effect in meat frozen for 60 days from crossbred animals.AimsThe present study sought to evaluate the carcass performance and characteristics, and the effects of freezing prior to ageing on the meat of animals from different genetic groups finished in a feedlot.MethodsA total of 26 male cattle were used, consisting of Angus×Nellore (AAN), Canchim×Nellore (CAN) and Nellore (NEL), finished in feedlot. The carcasses were evaluated after slaughter. The steaks (Longissimus thoracis) were submitted to freezing for 0, 30 and 60 days before ageing, and were then aged for 1, 7 and 14 days.Key resultsConsumption and performance was greater for AAN and CAN animals. The AAN and CAN crossbred cattle presented higher final liveweight, hot carcass weight, dressing-out percentage and rib eye area. Freezing did not affect the meat luminosity, and it reduced the shear force and the purge at 14 days of ageing when frozen for 30 and 60 days.ConclusionsThe crossbreed between Canchim×Nellore animals is an alternative for termination in a feedlot. Meats frozen before ageing were more tender.ImplicationsCrossbred animals have better carcass performance and characteristics and the pre-freezing process yielded more tender meat. The Canchim is an alternative for crossing with pure Bos indicus animals.

Detection of previously frozen poultry through plastic lidding film using portable visible spectral imaging (443-726 NM)

The objective of this study is to use a portable visible spectral imaging system (443–726 nm) to detect poultry thawed from frozen at the pixel level using multivariate analysis methods commonly used in machine learning (decision tree, logistic regression, linear discriminant analysis [LDA], k-nearest neighbors [KNN], support vector machines [SVM]). The selection of the most suitable method is based on the amount of data required to build an accurate model, computational speed, and the robustness of the model. The training set consists of pixel spectra from packages of chicken thighs without plastic lidding to evaluate the robustness of the models when implemented on the test set with and without plastic lidding. Data subsets were created by randomly selecting 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50% of the pixel spectra of each sample for both the training and test data sets. The subsets of pixel spectra and the full training set were used to train the machine learning algorithms to evaluate how the amount of data influences computational time. Logistic regression was found to be the best algorithm for detecting poultry thawed from frozen with and without plastic lidding film. Although logistic regression and SVM both performed with the same high accuracy and sensitivity for all training subset sizes, the computational time needed to implement SVM makes it the less suitable algorithm for detecting poultry thawed from frozen with and without plastic lidding film.

Crystallization Behavior and Quality of Frozen Meat

Preservation of meat through freezing entails the use of low temperatures to extend a product’s shelf-life, mainly by reducing the rate of microbial spoilage and deterioration reactions. Characteristics of meat that are important to be preserve include tenderness, water holding capacity, color, and flavor. In general, freezing improves meat tenderness, but negatively impacts other quality attributes. The extent to which these attributes are affected depends on the ice crystalline size and distribution, which itself is governed by freezing rate and storage temperature and duration. Although novel technology has made it possible to mitigate the negative effects of freezing, the complex nature of muscle tissue makes it difficult to accurately and consistently predict outcome of meat quality following freezing. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of energy and heat transfer during freezing and its effect on meat quality. Furthermore, the review provides an overview of the current novel technologies utilized to improve the freezing process.

Effects of Radio Frequency Tempering on the Texture of Frozen Tilapia Fillets

Radio frequency (RF) tempering has been proposed as a new alternative method for tempering frozen products because of its advantages of rapid and volumetric heating. In this study, the texture of RF-tempered frozen tilapia fillets was determined under different RF conditions, the effects of related factors on the texture were analyzed, and the mechanisms by which RF tempering affected the texture of the tempered fillets were evaluated. The results show that the springiness (from 0.84 mm to 0.79 mm), cohesiveness (from 0.64 mm to 0.57 mm), and resilience (from 0.33 mm to 0.25 mm) decreased as the electrode gap was increased and the power remained at 600 W, while the shear force increased as the power was increased for the 12 cm electrode gap (from 15.18 N to 16.98 N), and the myofibril fragmentation index (MFI) values were markedly higher at 600 W than at 300 W or 900 W (p < 0.05). In addition, the tempering uniformity had a positive effect on hardness and chewiness. The statistical analysis showed that the texture after RF tempering under different RF conditions correlated relatively strongly with the free water content, cooking loss, and migration of bound water to immobilized water. The decrease in free water and bound water migration to immobilized water resulted in a significant increase in cohesiveness and resilience.

Physicochemical properties of reduced-salt cured pork loin as affected by different freezing temperature and storage periods

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate functional properties of reduced-salt pork meat products made of pre-rigor pork loin treated by different freezing temperatures (−30°C and −70°C) during storage.

Methods

Pre-rigor cured pork loin with 1.0% added salt was compared to post-rigor muscle added with 1.5% salt for pH, color (L*, a*, b*), cooking loss (CL), expressible moisture, warner-Bratzler shear value, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and volatile basic nitrogen (VBN).

Results

Pre-rigor cured pork loins had higher pH and temperature than post-rigor ones as raw meat (p<0.05). pH values were higher for pre-rigor pork loins than those of post-rigor pork loins (p<0.05). Color values did not different among treatments (p>0.05). No color differences were observed during storage period after cooking (p>0.05). The CL (%) of pre-rigor cured pork loins was the lowest when frozen at −70°C. The TBARS and VBN increased from 8 weeks of storage (p<0.05), but no further changed thereafter (p>0.05). Pre-rigor cured pork loins added with 1.0% salt showed similar characteristics to post-rigor pork loins added with 1.5% salt.

Conclusion

Cured pork loins could be produced using pre-rigor muscle added with 1/3 of the original salt level (1.5%) and could be stored for up to 4 wks of frozen storage, regardless of a frozen temperature of −30°C or −70°C without detrimental effects.

Technological innovations or advancement in detecting frozen and thawed meat quality: A review

Frozen storage is one of the main storage methods for meat products. Freezing and thawing processes are important factors affecting the quality of stored foods. Deterioration of texture, denaturation of protein, decline of water holding capacity etc. are among the major quality issues during freezing that must be addressed. A number of advanced technologies are now available to detect the quality changes that can occur during freezing and/or thawing. This paper presents an overview of the techniques commonly used for the detection of meat product quality; these include: advanced microscopy, molecular sensory science and technology, nuclear magnetic resonance, hyperspectral technology, near infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy etc. These direct and indirect measurement techniques can characterize the quality of meat product from many different angles. The objective of this review is to provide an in-depth understanding of possible quality changes in meat products during freezing and thawing cycle so as to improve the quality of frozen and thawed meat products in industrial practice.

Frozen/thawed meat quality associated with muscle fiber characteristics of porcine longissimus thoracis et lumborum, psoas major, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus muscles

To evaluate the relationship between muscle fiber characteristics and the quality of frozen/thawed pork meat, four different muscles, M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), M. psoas major (PM), M. semimembranosus (SM), and M. semitendinosus (ST), were analyzed from twenty carcasses. Meat color values (lightness, redness, yellowness, chroma, and hue) changed due to freezing/thawing in LTL, which showed larger IIAX, IIX, and IIXB fibers than found in SM (P < 0.05). SM and ST showed a significant decrease in purge loss and an increase in shear force caused by freezing/thawing (P < 0.05). Compared with LTL, SM contains more type IIXB muscle fibers and ST had larger muscle fibers I and IIA (P < 0.05). PM was the most stable of all muscles, since only its yellowness and chroma were affected by freezing/thawing (P < 0.05). These results suggest that pork muscle fiber characteristics of individual cuts must be considered to avoid quality deterioration during frozen storage.

Deep freezing to maintain the freshness of pork loin during long-term storage

As storage temperature impacts frozen meat quality, we evaluated the ideal freezing and storage temperatures for pork loin, and effects of long-term storage at − 60, − 50, and − 18 °C on pork loin physicochemical properties. Pork loin was cut into 30 × 30 × 30 mm (50 g) and packed in air-containing box. Thereafter, they were stored at different freezing temperature for 6 months. Frozen pork loins were thawed at 4 °C. Samples frozen at − 18 °C exhibited surface dehydration (at 3 months) and high moisture loss surface dehydration-induced discoloration and toughening. However, samples frozen by deep freezing temperature (− 60 and − 50 °C) had lower values of thawing loss, WHC, and shear force than those of frozen at − 18 °C. Samples frozen at − 60 and − 50 °C maintained their freshness better than those frozen at − 18 °C; samples stored at − 60 °C showed significantly lower VBN than those stored at − 50 °C. Therefore, − 60 °C is suitable for freezing pork loins.

Effects of freezing temperatures and storage times on the quality and safety of raw turkey meat and sausage products

In this study, the effect of frozen storage of turkey meat on the processing properties into raw sausages was investigated. For this purpose, meat from the Musculus pectoralis of male turkeys was frozen in 3 independent runs for 12 and 24 wk at −18°C and −80°C. After thawing, the meat was examined physicochemically and microbiologically and processed into raw sausages. The sausages were examined on d 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 of storage. The parameters L*, a*, b*, pH-value and a_w-value did not show any relevant significances between the experimental groups. The analysis of TBARS of the sausages made from frozen meat showed significantly higher values on d 14 and 28 compared to the unfrozen control group. Frozen storage also reduced the growth of Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae.

The Effect of Multiple Freeze-Thaw Cycles on the Microstructure and Quality of Trachurus murphyi

Temperature fluctuation in frozen food storage and distribution is the perpetual and core issue faced by the frozen food industry. Ice recrystallisation induced by temperature fluctuations under cold storage causes microstructural changes in fish products and irreversible damages to cells and tissues, which lower the frozen fish quality in the food chain. This study is intended to explore how repeated freezing-thawing affected the microstructure and quality of Trachurus murphyi during its frozen storage. The results showed the consistency between the increase in ice crystal diameter, volume, and porosity in frozen fish and the increase in centrifugal loss (from 22.4% to 25.69%), cooking loss (from 22.32% to 25.19%), conductivity (from 15.28 Ms/cm to 15.70 Ms/cm), TVB-N (from 16.32 mg N/100 g to 19.94 mg N/100 g), K-value (from 3.73% to 7.07%), and amino acid composition. The muscle structure change observed by Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) showed that the content of α-helix reduced from 59.05% to 51.83%, while the β-sheet fraction grew from 15.44% to 17.11%, β-turns increased from 5.45% to 7.58%, and random coil from 20.06% to 23.49%. Moreover, muscular structure exhibited varying degrees of deterioration with increasing cycles of freezing and thawing as shown by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We studied the muscular morphology, which included the measurement of porosities (%) of pore that increased (from 1.4% to 4.3%) and pore distribution, by X-ray computed tomography (uCT). The cycles of the freeze-thaw resulted in structural changes, which seemed to be closely associated with ultimate quality of frozen fish products.

Microbial Profile Evaluation of Beef Steaks From Different Packaging and Retail Lighting Display Conditions

To date, meat microbiology research has relied on culture-dependent methods. Amplicon sequencing technology provides a deeper look into the microbial community. This study set out to evaluate the bacterial community of fresh beef longissimus lumborum steaks exposed to retail packaging and display conditions. Four packaging treatments were assigned after fabrication 7 d postmortem: high-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging, overwrapped packages within a carbon monoxide tri-gas flushed motherbag, vacuum rollstock pouches, and traditional overwrap. After a 14-d dark storage, carbon monoxide motherbag overwrapped packages were removed from the motherbag, and packages were distributed to a retail lighting condition for 72 h of retail display: fluorescent, light emitting diode, or darkness. Aerobic plate count and psychrotrophic bacteria were enumerated, in addition to 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing of DNA for microbial profile investigation. Sampling occurred at fabrication (7 d), end of dark storage (20 d), and end of retail display (23 d). The V3–V4 regions of the 16S bacterial ribosomal RNA gene were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform (Illumina, San Diego, CA). Counts for aerobic plate count bacteria differed by packaging (P = 0.039) but not lighting (P &gt; 0.05). Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were the dominate phyla identified but were not affected by packaging or lighting (P &gt; 0.05). Traditional overwrapped packages displayed in darkness and fluorescence had a higher abundance of Carnobacterium compared with those displayed under light emitting diode (P = 0.05). Dark-stored samples had more Pseudomonas compared with fluorescent display, regardless of packaging type (P = 0.03). While packaging and lighting conditions had a minimal impact on the community composition, these data positively contribute to a baseline establishing bacterial community profiles of fresh beef steaks subjected to retail display. This foundation suggests that further work is needed to understand whether shifts are more likely to occur during extended shelf life or in other retail beef display conditions.

Detection of Frozen-Thawed Duck Fatty Liver by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry: A Chemometrics Study

The marketing of poultry livers is only authorized as fresh, frozen, or deep-frozen. The higher consumer demand for these products for a short period of time may lead to the marketing of frozen–thawed poultry livers: this constitutes fraud. The aim of this study was to design a method for distinguishing frozen–thawed livers from fresh livers. For this, the spectral fingerprint of liver proteins was acquired using Matrix-Assisted Laser Dissociation Ionization-Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometry. The spectra were analyzed using the chemometrics approach. First, principal component analysis studied the expected variability of commercial conditions before and after freezing–thawing. Then, the discriminant power of spectral fingerprint of liver proteins was assessed using supervised model generation. The combined approach of mass spectrometry and chemometrics successfully described the evolution of protein profile during storage time, before and after freezing-thawing, and successfully discriminated the fresh and frozen–thawed livers. These results are promising in terms of fraud detection, providing an opportunity for implementation of a reference method for agencies to fight fraud.

Quality of frozen porcine Longissimus lumborum muscles injected with l-arginine and l-lysine solution

This study investigated the effects of l-arginine and l-lysine on the water holding capacity, shear force, color, and protein denaturation of frozen porcine Longissimus lumborum. Four batches were prepared, each corresponding to samples of an experimental treatment: without a cryoprotective solution, injecting a 0.3% sodium tripolyphosphate and 0.5% NaCl solution, a 0.5% l-arginine solution, or a 0.5% l-lysine solution. The results showed that both l-arginine and l-lysine decreased thawing loss, cooking loss, shear force, L^⁎ values, b^⁎ values, and surface hydrophobicity, but they increased pH values, a^⁎ values, percentages of peak areas for T₂₁ relaxation times, and Ca²⁺-ATPase activity. Additionally, both histological and transmission electron microscopy images showed that l-lysine, and especially l-arginine could inhibit the formation of gaps between fiber bundles, alleviate the disruption of intracellular spaces, and maintain the structural integrity of sarcomeres. Overall, the results showed that both l-arginine and l-lysine hindered the structural damage of muscle fibers during freezing and protected myofibrillar proteins from denaturation, ultimately contributing to superior quality attributes.

Assessment of Physicochemical Characteristics and Microbiological Quality in Broiler Chicken Breast Muscle (Pectoralis major) Subjected to Different Temperatures and Lengths of Cold Transportation

Cold truck transportation is considered one of the most integral parts in a food processing chain. However, countless cases of product spoilage and food poisoning incidents have proven that temperature control during transport has been neglected. Literature on the impact of temperature during distribution is scarce. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of various transportation temperatures and travel duration on the meat quality and microbial population of broiler chicken breast muscle. Sixty broiler chickens (42 days old) were slaughtered and eviscerated; they then had their breast muscles removed (each bird provided two breast muscle samples: left breast and right breast), which were wrapped in plastic film. All 120 packed boneless breasts (PBBs) were then placed at −18 °C for 24 h. After 24 h, the 60 PBB samples were subjected to transportation for 1 h at 4 °C (20 PBBs), 10 °C (20 PBBs), and 15 °C (20 PBBs) while the remaining 60 samples were transported for 5 h at 4 °C (20 PBBs), 10 °C (20 PBBs), and 15 °C (20 PBBs) before analyses. The samples transported at higher temperatures exhibited higher populations of coliform and Salmonella than those transported at lower temperatures. A significant impact of the transportation duration on the Salmonella population was only observed in samples transported at 4 °C for 5 h. However, a significant impact of transportation temperature on color was only recorded for the redness (a*) values, where the samples transported at higher temperatures exhibited higher redness (a*) values. Significant increases in lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) values as well as decreases in redness (a*) and pH values were recorded in samples subjected to longer durations of transportation across all the temperatures observed in this study.