Use of Cryoprotectants to Stabilize Functional Properties of Prerigor Salted Beef During Frozen Storage

Changes in functional properties (gelforming ability, water‐holding capacity, and protein solubility) of salted prerigor beef and postrigor beef were measured over 6 months frozen storage at −28°C, as affected by addition of 5.6% cryoprotectants [Polydextrose® or a mixture (1:1) of sucrose and sorbitol]. Addition of NaCl to comminuted muscle prior to freezing accelerated destabilization of muscle proteins with respect to functional properties. This effect was reduced by cryoprotectants; most effectively by sucrose/sorbitol and only slightly less effectively by polydextrose. As evidenced by the parameters investigated, quality of prerigor salted muscle treated with cryoprotectants and stored 6 months was approximately equal to that of untreated postrigor meat prior to freezing.