the muscle fibres affect the cell membrane characteristics, which in
turn affect the quality of the meat (Fellows, 2000). An understanding
of the changes that freezing and thawing perpetuate in different meat
types and cuts is essential to the meat industry, as their main objective
is to produce superior products with high resale values that are
both appealing and enjoyable to the consumer (Renerre, 1990).
The majority of the research conducted on freezing and thawing
of meat has focussed on the reduction of moisture loss. Añón and
Calvelo were the leaders in researching the effects of freezing on
meat quality from the 1970s to the 1990s. Their work was subsequently
expanded on by Farouk and Swan (1998) from the 1990s
into the 2000s.
The shelf-life of meat is generally determined by appearance, texture,
flavour, colour, microbial activity and nutritive value (McMillin,
2008). Of these characteristics, flavour is the most difficult to measure.
Flavour compounds may originate from lipid and peptide components
in the muscle or meat (Spanier, 1992). All of these parameters are
influenced by freezing, frozen storage and subsequent thawing.
This review aims to collate and assess the currently available literature
on the effects of freezing and thawing on the quality of meat.
Specific emphasis is placed on the extent to which meat quality is
influenced by the rate at which freezing and thawing are performed.
In addition, potential means of mitigating the negative effects of
freezing and thawing on meat quality are discussed.