An insight into the changes occurring in meat at sub-zero temperatures
is essential to provide high value meat products to the
customer in a reasonable manner (Baygar, Alparsalan, & Cackli,
2012). The majority of the research conducted on freezing and
thawing of red meat has focused on the reduction of moisture loss
(Leygonie et al., 2012). Water loss is directly proportional to the
water holding capacity (WHC) of muscle proteins and reduced
water content changes key quality parameters such as colour and
texture (Huff-Lonergan & Lonergan, 2005). The freeze–thaw cycle
is the major contributor to the decrease of WHC, and unacceptably
low WHCs cause major product damages. However, there has been
limited progress towards understanding the actual mechanisms
behind the meat quality changes under the freeze–thaw cycles