Meat and Meat Products: Strategies for Valorization and Preservation

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 August 2026 | Viewed by 1414

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Functional Foods, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Processing, Sericultural & Agri-Food Research Institute Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510610, China
Interests: meat preservation technology; preparation technology of active packaging film for meat; extraction and utilization technology of animal-derived protein

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Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Functional Foods, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Agricultural Products Processing, Sericultural & Agri-Food Research Institute Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou 510610, China
Interests: meat quality improvement technologies; interaction mechanism between polyphenols and proteins; functional meat products development

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Guest Editor
Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Agro-Products Quality and Safety Control in Storage and Transport Process, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing 100193, China
Interests: fresh livestock and poultry meat preservation technology; involving the development of antibacterial active packaging and its responsive controlled-release mechanism; physical field-assisted superchilling/subsuperchilling preservation technology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Meat and meat products are pivotal components of global food systems, delivering high-quality protein and essential nutrients while sustaining livelihoods across agricultural and food industries worldwide. Nonetheless, this sector encounters pressing challenges, such as post-harvest losses, microbial spoilage, and nutritional degradation, coupled with the urgent need to boost resource efficiency in response to the escalating consumer demand for safe, sustainable, and high-value products. This Special Issue focuses on valorization and preservation—two core pillars shaping the future of meat science and industry.

This Special Issue focuses on the innovative application of preservation technologies, and conducts an in-depth analysis of the process optimization and cost control of cutting-edge technologies including rapid precooling, modified atmosphere packaging, ultra-high pressure sterilization, and biological preservation, so as to provide scientific solutions for enterprises to address practical issues such as shelf-life extension and quality stabilization. It also carries out a multidimensional discussion on the value-added approaches of meat products, and comprehensively presents how the industry realizes the transformative leap from primary processing to high added value through product iteration and model innovation, covering flavor innovation, nutritional fortification, intensive processing, and brand empowerment.

We aim to bridge academic innovation and industrial practice, providing a platform for scientists, technologists, and industry stakeholders to share insights. This issue not only advances fundamental knowledge but also offers actionable solutions to boost meat product sustainability, safety, and economic value, driving the sector toward a more efficient, resilient, and eco-friendly future.

Dr. Xuping Wang
Dr. Xueming Liu
Dr. Debao Wang
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • meat preservation technology
  • meat processing technology
  • active packaging for meat products
  • functional meat product development
  • meat quality retention during preservation
  • high-value utilization technology of meat by-products

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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15 pages, 2481 KB  
Article
Protein Fraction-Dependent Antioxidant Responses to Thermal Processing in Korean Native Black Goat Extracts: A Screening and Multivariate Analysis
by Woo-Young Son, Jun Hwang and Hyun-Wook Kim
Foods 2026, 15(10), 1809; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15101809 - 20 May 2026
Abstract
Korean native black goat is commonly consumed as thermally processed extracts and is widely perceived to exhibit health-promoting properties; however, the contribution of intrinsic muscle proteins to these functional characteristics remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of thermal processing on the antioxidant [...] Read more.
Korean native black goat is commonly consumed as thermally processed extracts and is widely perceived to exhibit health-promoting properties; however, the contribution of intrinsic muscle proteins to these functional characteristics remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of thermal processing on the antioxidant activity of myofibrillar and sarcoplasmic protein fractions using a screening-based approach. Protein fractions were extracted and subjected to various thermal conditions (60–121 °C), followed by analyses of extractable protein, α-amino group content, and antioxidant activities, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, iron-chelating ability, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Thermal processing increased α-amino group content, particularly in the myofibrillar fraction, indicating enhanced protein degradation. Antioxidant activities improved with increasing temperature, with myofibrillar proteins showing stronger activity than sarcoplasmic proteins. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) indicated fragmentation in myofibrillar proteins and aggregation in sarcoplasmic proteins. Cluster analysis supported fraction-dependent differences in antioxidant responses. These findings suggest that thermal processing enhances antioxidant activity in a protein fraction-dependent manner and provide practical insights for optimizing processing conditions of Korean native black goat extracts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meat and Meat Products: Strategies for Valorization and Preservation)
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20 pages, 5944 KB  
Article
Strategies for Regulating the Color, Texture and Flavor Characteristics of Fermented Meat Products by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
by Xiang Li, Shouwei Wang, Hao Zou, Shuangli Du, Yingying Li, Jiapeng Li, Mingxuan Liu, Hua Bai, Haitang Wang and Xi Chen
Foods 2026, 15(10), 1750; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15101750 - 15 May 2026
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Abstract
The effects of direct inoculation of compound culture starter (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the color, texture, and flavor qualities of fermented pork liver, sausage, and jerky were investigated. The results showed that inoculation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae [...] Read more.
The effects of direct inoculation of compound culture starter (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) on the color, texture, and flavor qualities of fermented pork liver, sausage, and jerky were investigated. The results showed that inoculation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae could significantly increase the lightness value (L*) and chroma value (C*) values of meat products and promote the color development of products. Meanwhile, it can also improve the tenderness of the products. The post-inoculation fermentation process enhanced the diversity and concentration of flavor compounds, improving the overall flavor of the product, and a total of 11 characteristic flavor compounds were identified. Inoculated fermentation reduced the levels of pentanal and methanethiol, which were unpleasant odor components in pork liver. In addition, inoculation fermentation could reduce the concentration of nonanal, which contributes to rancid fat odor in jerky. Inoculated fermentation enriched the flavor profile of meat products through the dual effects of “removing gamey flavor and enhancing aroma”. The results also showed that, after inoculation, the umami taste of meat products was enhanced, and bitter and sour tastes were inhibited. In conclusion, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae could serve as an excellent culture starter for industrial production, providing a feasible path for green and healthy meat processing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meat and Meat Products: Strategies for Valorization and Preservation)
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29 pages, 2844 KB  
Article
Shelf Life Extension of Fresh Buffalo Meat Using Spice Powders and Lavender Essential Oil During Storage Under Refrigeration
by Athanasia P. Marangeli, Vassilios K. Karabagias, Glykeria E. Angelaki, Dimitrios G. Lazaridis, Nikolaos D. Andritsos, Olga Malisova and Ioannis K. Karabagias
Foods 2026, 15(5), 947; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15050947 - 7 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 520
Abstract
We studied the shelf life of fresh buffalo meat in polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) packaging during refrigerated storage for 14 days, when treated with cinnamon–clove (C-C) and nutmeg (Nut) powders, along with lavender essential oil (LEO). Microbiological (total viable count, Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, [...] Read more.
We studied the shelf life of fresh buffalo meat in polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) packaging during refrigerated storage for 14 days, when treated with cinnamon–clove (C-C) and nutmeg (Nut) powders, along with lavender essential oil (LEO). Microbiological (total viable count, Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, Enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria), antibacterial (Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus), physicochemical and biochemical (pH, moisture, color, total fat, hemoglobin and heme iron, 2-thiobarbituric acid, mercaptans, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content), and sensory (color, odor, texture, and taste) analyses were carried out. The results showed that C-C and Nut powder extracts exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant and antibacterial activity, higher than LEO; however, all treatments delayed lipid oxidation. Based primarily on sensory evaluation, the shelf life extension of buffalo meat was 2–3 days for LEO and Nut powder, and 4–6 days for C-C powder. Factor analysis indicated the critical days of refrigerated storage for the evolution of spoilage-related biochemical parameters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meat and Meat Products: Strategies for Valorization and Preservation)
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19 pages, 1346 KB  
Systematic Review
Utilizing Apple Pomace in Meat Products: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Aigerim Koishybayeva, Yasin Uzakov, Shynar Kenenbay and Malgorzata Korzeniowska
Foods 2026, 15(9), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15091545 - 29 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Apple pomace, a byproduct of juice production, is a sustainable source of dietary fiber and polyphenols with potential in food systems. This study aimed to systematically review 69 articles and perform a meta-analysis on 17 experimental studies to quantify the impact of AP [...] Read more.
Apple pomace, a byproduct of juice production, is a sustainable source of dietary fiber and polyphenols with potential in food systems. This study aimed to systematically review 69 articles and perform a meta-analysis on 17 experimental studies to quantify the impact of AP on meat products. Using a random-effects model (Inverse Variance method; I2 = 99–100%), mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Results revealed that AP significantly increased total dietary fiber (MD = 1.84; p < 0.00001) and reduced pH (MD = −0.18; p < 0.00001). Regarding color, AP significantly decreased redness (a*) (MD = −1.47; p < 0.005) but had no significant impact on lightness (L*) (MD = 0.34; p = 0.70) or yellowness (b*) (MD = −1.32; p = 0.08). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these trends across diverse meat matrices. Despite high statistical heterogeneity, the consistent direction of effect provides high certainty of evidence. Findings suggest that inclusion levels exceeding 10% may increase variability and adversely affect redness and acidity. In conclusion, AP is a promising functional ingredient for sustainable, fiber-enriched meat products. However, a successful application requires optimizing inclusion levels to balance technological performance with consumer acceptance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Meat and Meat Products: Strategies for Valorization and Preservation)
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