Combined use of ultrasonic processing and microwave electric field during meat raw materials defrosting

Purpose. Combined use of ultrasonic and microwave treatment potential evaluation in the meat raw materials defrosting in terms of efficiency and impact on functional and technological properties. Materials and Methods. Defrosting and evaluation of organoleptic and functional-technological properties of meat raw materials samples were performed in conditions of the complex analytical laboratory of Volga Region Research Institute of Manufacture and Processing of Meat-And-Milk Production. Analyses of qualitative characteristics were carried out in accordance with generally accepted methods in the food industry and actual national standards. The objects of the study were frozen samples of lean pork, сhicken breast meat, pork heart, beef liver. Results. In the research, a defrosting meat raw materials method, based on successive processing with microwave fields and ultrasonic vibrations in a solution of sodium chloride was studied. To obtain relevant results, other methods of defrosting frozen meat raw materials used in the food industry were also analyzed. It was found that the combined effect of the microwave electromagnetic field and ultrasonic treatment in an aqueous medium on meat raw materials in all the studied cases has a synergistic effect, thereby increasing the rate of defrosting. In comparison with the immersion method in meat raw materials located in the ultrasound field, moisture accumulation is slower. Supposedly, this occurs due to the hydration processes inhibition on the meat raw materials surface under the effect of ultrasonic cavitation in a liquid. Conclusion. The proposed method of defrosting can be considered promising in terms of reducing weight loss of meat raw materials. At the same time, ultrasonic treatment prevents the accumulation of excess moisture. Soaking in a solution of sodium chloride makes it possible to increase heat transfer and thereby avoid local overheating of the surface, and even increase the power of the microwave electromagnetic field. At the same time, this type of processing leads to a insignificant increase in hardness and darkening of the surface, which limits the raw materials possibilities use.