The attack of reactive oxygen species on muscle proteins leads to the loss of sulphydryl groups and the generation of carbonylcompounds. These processes are commonly linked to a decrease in muscle protein functionality, leading to increasing water losses, weaker protein gels or less stable emulsions . Protein oxidation can be monitored by measuring the formation of carbonyl groups and the decrease in sulphydryl groups .
There are many reports on the biochemical changes in different meats during frozen storage, most of which have focused on lipid oxidation . Little work has been done on protein oxidation of meats at different freezing temperatures and periods of frozen storage. There are also limited numbers of studies available in the literature on protein and lipid oxidation in chicken meat and the impact of that oxidation on quality traits. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of different freezing temperatures and duration of frozen storage on lipid and protein oxidation in chicken breast and leg meat.