Insight into muscle quality of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) frozen with liquid nitrogen at different temperatures

Abstract

The effects of different liquid nitrogen freezing (LNF) temperatures (-35, -55, -75, -95, and -115 °C) on the freezing rate, physicochemical properties, and microstructure of golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) were evaluated in the present study. The results showed that the total freezing time of golden pompano was significantly shortened using LNF (P < 0.05). Compared with other freezing methods, the cooking loss and L* values (lightness) of -95 °C LNF golden pompano were significantly lower, the false-colour image was much redder and brighter, the loss and mobility of water in fish muscle were inhibited, the water holding capacity and hardness were higher, and the muscle microstructure was comparatively intact. Therefore, -95 °C LNF effectively shortened the freezing time and improved the muscle qualities of frozen golden pompano.

Keywords: Freezing rate; Golden pompano; Liquid nitrogen freezing; Muscle quality.