Low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxometry in hake (Merluccius merluccius, L.) muscle after different freezing and storage conditions

This paper reviews current knowledge on the distribution and mobility of water in muscle (myowater) ante- and post mortem and factors affecting these in relation to fresh meat quality parameters; water-holding capacity (WHC), tenderness and juiciness. NMR transverse relaxometry (T(2)) using bench-top Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (LF-NMR) has characterised myowater distribution and mobility as well as structural features in meat which directly affect WHC. The current literature demonstrates that WHC is correlated to the water located outside the myofibrillar network (extra-myofibrillar). This review identifies the critical stages which affect the translocation of water into the extra-myofibrillar space and thus the potential for decreased WHC during proteolysis (the conversion of muscle to meat). This review discusses how the intrinsic properties of the water held within the meat could contribute to juiciness and tenderness. Tenderness has been shown to correlate to T(2), however breed and species differences made it difficult to draw firm conclusions. Further understanding of the inherent water properties of fresh meat and the factors affecting water distribution and mobility using NMR technologies will increase the understanding of WHC and tenderisation of fresh meat. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

In high-pressure-assisted freezing, samples are cooled under pressure (200 MPa) to - 20 °C without ice formation then pressure is released (0.1 MPa) and the high super-cooling reached (approx. 20 °C), promotes uniform and rapid ice nucleation. The size and location of ice crystals in large meat pieces (Longissimus dorsi pork muscle) as a result of high-pressure-assisted freezing were compared to those obtained by air-blast and liquid N(2). Samples from the surface and centre of the frozen muscle were histologically analysed using an indirect technique (isothermal-freeze fixation). Air-blast and cryogenic fluid freezing, having thermal gradients, showed non-uniform ice crystal distributions. High-pressure-assisted frozen samples, both at the surface and at the central zones, showed similar, small-sized ice crystals. This technique is particularly useful for freezing large pieces of food when uniform ice crystal sizes are required.