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Current Research on the Effects of Novel Processing Technologies on Meat Flavor and Quality Characteristics

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Meat".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 January 2026) | Viewed by 5761

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, the meat industry has witnessed significant improvements in novel processing technologies aimed at enhancing meat flavor and quality characteristics. These technologies, including high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field treatment, cold plasma technology, etc., have emerged as effective methods in improving meat tenderness, extending shelf life, and reducing microbial contamination. Research has demonstrated that high-pressure processing can effectively inactivate enzymes responsible for flavor degradation, while ultrasound treatment promotes the release of flavor compounds and tenderizes meat. Cold plasma technology has been found to inactivate surface microorganisms and preserve the freshness of meat products. Despite these benefits, the impact of these technologies on the overall sensory properties of meat remains a subject of ongoing investigation. Future research should focus on the development of processing technologies to maximize the enhancement of flavor and quality without compromising consumer acceptance. The continued exploration of these novel technologies will undoubtedly contribute to the development of safer, higher-quality meat products that meet the evolving demands of consumers.

Dr. Ying Wang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • novel processing technologies
  • meat products
  • meat flavor
  • meat quality
  • consumer acceptance

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 4614 KB  
Article
Integrated Mechanisms of Flavor and Quality Development in Braised Pork: A Study on Volatile Profiles, Texture Dynamics, Nucleotide Catabolism, and Protein Oxidation
by Zhuowen Wang, Jinxuan Cao, Jinpeng Wang, Yuemei Zhang, Wendi Teng, Shuai Zhuang and Ying Wang
Foods 2026, 15(3), 503; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15030503 - 1 Feb 2026
Viewed by 754
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the evolution of quality and flavor characteristics of braised pork during the cooking process and clarify the underlying formation mechanisms. Texture analysis revealed that shear force and hardness initially increased during blanching but decreased substantially with an extended [...] Read more.
This study aimed to explore the evolution of quality and flavor characteristics of braised pork during the cooking process and clarify the underlying formation mechanisms. Texture analysis revealed that shear force and hardness initially increased during blanching but decreased substantially with an extended stewing time. Low-field NMR indicated a progressive shift in water distribution from immobilized to free states, correlating with cooking loss and tenderness development. GC-MS and E-nose analyses showed significant increases in volatile compound diversity and concentrations, with aldehydes and ketones identified as dominant contributors to the evolving aroma profile. Throughout the processing, an enhancement in protein oxidation and nucleotide degradation was observed. Notably, significant increases were detected in the umami amino acids aspartic acid and glutamic acid, as well as in the umami nucleotide inosine monophosphate (IMP). These changes collectively contributed to the development of the characteristic taste profile. These findings indicate that the superior eating quality evolution and flavor development of braised pork during cooking are governed by the coordinated changes in texture, water distribution, lipid oxidation, and taste-active compounds. The interplay between these factors occurs at different stages of processing, leading to the complex, non-linear enhancement of flavor and texture. Full article
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16 pages, 1877 KB  
Article
Effect of Prolonged Frozen Storage on the In Vitro Digestion of Minced Pork: Insights from Protein Structural Changes
by Yingying Zhu, Shijing Chen, Yafang Ma, Caili Fu and Dejian Huang
Foods 2026, 15(2), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15020329 - 16 Jan 2026
Viewed by 737
Abstract
Long-term frozen storage is widely used for pork preservation, yet its impact on protein digestibility remains inadequately explored. This study investigated the effect of frozen storage duration (0, 3, and 12 months) on the changes in digestive properties and protein structure of minced [...] Read more.
Long-term frozen storage is widely used for pork preservation, yet its impact on protein digestibility remains inadequately explored. This study investigated the effect of frozen storage duration (0, 3, and 12 months) on the changes in digestive properties and protein structure of minced pork during in vitro digestion. With extended freezing, the hardness, chewiness, and shear force of pork significantly increased, while protein digestibility decreased. A confocal laser scanning microscope showed an increase in the particle size of digesta. After 12 months of frozen storage, the digestibility of the pork samples decreased. The extent of reduction reached 11.31% under pepsin digestion and 11.33% under pepsin–trypsin digestion, compared to the fresh samples. Structural analysis indicated that prolonged freezing led to protein denaturation and aggregation, as confirmed by a decrease in α-helix contents, an increase in the β-sheet and random coil structures, and the formation of high-molecular-weight aggregates. These structural alterations hindered protease accessibility, resulting in reduced digestibility. The detrimental effects on protein structure and digestibility became more pronounced with longer frozen storage. Full article
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16 pages, 1119 KB  
Article
The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based Dish
by Zhihao Yang, Chenlei Wang, Ye Jin, Wenjia Le, Liang Zhang, Lifei Wang, Bo Zhang, Yueying Guo, Min Zhang and Lin Su
Foods 2025, 14(15), 2748; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14152748 - 6 Aug 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2313
Abstract
Ready-to-eat meat products face quality challenges during storage and reheating. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physicochemical/microbiological changes in stewed mutton during storage (4 °C/−18 °C, 0–28 days) and (ii) evaluate reheating methods (boiling vs. microwaving) on day-7 samples. The nutritional analysis [...] Read more.
Ready-to-eat meat products face quality challenges during storage and reheating. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physicochemical/microbiological changes in stewed mutton during storage (4 °C/−18 °C, 0–28 days) and (ii) evaluate reheating methods (boiling vs. microwaving) on day-7 samples. The nutritional analysis confirmed moisture reduction (57.32 vs. 72.12 g/100 g)-concentrated protein/fat levels. Storage at −18 °C suppressed microbial growth (the total plate count (TPC), 3.73 vs. 4.80 log CFU/g at 28 days; p < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS): 0.14 vs. 0.19 mg/kg) more effectively than storage at 4 °C. The total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) kinetics projected a shelf life ≥90 days (4 °C) and ≥120 days (−18 °C). Microwave reheating after frozen storage (−18 °C) maximized the yield (86.21% vs. 75.90% boiling; p < 0.05) and preserved volatile profiles closest to those in the fresh samples (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)/electronic nose). The combination of freezing storage and subsequent microwave reheating has been demonstrated to be an effective method for preserving the quality of a precooked lamb dish, thereby ensuring its nutritional value. Full article
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16 pages, 2788 KB  
Article
The Combined Antibacterial Mechanism of Ferulic Acid and ε-Polylysine Hydrochloride in Shewanella putrefaciens and the Effect of Their Application on the Storage Quality of Refrigerated Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) with Plasma-Activated Water
by Yue Cui, Tengteng Zhang, Dandan Zhao, Sai Gao, Yinchu Liu, Xinyu Yang, Han Lu and Xiaoguang Gao
Foods 2025, 14(11), 1942; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14111942 - 29 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1384
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the synergistic antimicrobial effect of ferulic acid (FA) and ε-polylysine hydrochloride (PL) on Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens) and their application on crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). The treatment with FA and PL exhibited [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying the synergistic antimicrobial effect of ferulic acid (FA) and ε-polylysine hydrochloride (PL) on Shewanella putrefaciens (S. putrefaciens) and their application on crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). The treatment with FA and PL exhibited a strong synergistic inhibitory effect against S. putrefaciens. The combination of 1/4 Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) FA and 1/4 MIC PL was the most effective, damaging the cell structure and inhibiting the growth of S. putrefaciens. Plasma-activated water (PAW) can induce microbial inactivation through physical action. In addition, treatments with FA, PL, PAW, PAW-FA, PAW-PL, and PAW + PL-FA substantially decreased total viable counts (TVCs), total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N), the thiobarbituric acid value (TBA), and the juice loss rate of crayfish, with FA-PL showing the best effect. This study confirmed the antimicrobial efficacy of PL, FA, and PAW, indicating their potential as effective preservatives for controlling spoilage in freshwater crustaceans. Full article
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