Frozen storage is an important preservation method for meat and
meat products even if oxidative deterioration, especially in texture,
flavor and color, still takes place. Muscle tissues are particularly
susceptible to this oxidative deterioration due to their elevated levels of
phospholipids which contain high percentages of polyunsaturated
fatty acids (PUFAs). As the degree of unsaturation of PUFAs increases,
their susceptibility to oxidation and rancidity development increases
disproportionally. It has been reported that the relative oxidation
rates of stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2)
and α-linolenic acid (C18:3) are estimated to 1:100:1200:2500 at
25 °C (Shahidi, 1992).