Food Science of Animal Resources (Food Sci. Anim. Resour.) is an international, peer-reviewed bimonthly journal publishing original research and reviews on basic and applied aspects of the use of animal resources including the meat, egg, dairy, and edible insect/worm products. Food Sci. Anim. Resour. is published and distributed by the Korean Society for Food Science of Animal Resources.

Semen quality traits such as semen volume, sperm motility, sperm concentration, pH, and color are very important, since they can determine the fertility potential of the semen. The objective of this study was to compare the semen quality traits of Thai Native chickens (Pradu Hang Dam and Chee) producing high and low semen volume. Semen was collected from 24 roosters (12 reps) and divided into two groups of roosters producing high semen volume (>0.3 mL) and those producing a low amount of semen (<0.3 mL). Fresh semen quality parameters (semen volume, sperm motility, viability, concentration, and pH) were measured and compared between groups. It was found that semen volume showed a positive correlation with sperm concentration, mass movement, motility, viability, and pH of fresh semen. There was no significant difference in fresh semen parameters between Pradu Hang Dam and Chee roosters with either high or low ejaculate semen, except for sperm concentration. Sperm concentration was significantly higher in Chee compared with Pradu Hang Dam in both high and low ejaculate semen. The semen quality parameters between groups of chickens producing high and low ejaculate semen were significantly different except for sperm viability. In conclusion, it was found that chickens producing high volumes of semen have better sperm quality than those producing a low semen volume. Therefore, these results provide a possible consideration that the amount of semen production among chickens can be used as a tool in selecting Thai native roosters for breeding.

There has been a growing interest in implementing technological food systems to enhance the quality and safety of food items. One such example of this endeavor is the study of the applications of natural biopolymers as food stabilizers. An "emulgel," also known as an emulsion gel, is a gel-like substance that contains a dispersion of emulsion. This emulsion can have a continuous or dispersed phase, creating networks throughout the substance and giving it a semi-solid texture. Gels have garnered significant attention in the food industry due to their ability to be easily shaped and structured and their potential to possess desirable physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. They offer greater stability and controlled release capabilities for the encapsulated bioactive compounds. The review demonstrated that different emulgels exhibit varied relationships between their structure, physicochemical properties, unique applications, and outcomes from different preparation methods. Emulgels enhance the yield, sensory characteristics, and nutritional quality of foods while also controlling lipid oxidation and microbiological development. Emulgels find primary utility in the food business for fat replacement and distribution. Viscosity, temperature, pH, water activity, and ionic strength are influential factors that impact the destabilization mechanisms of emulgels. This article thoroughly summarizes the practical use of emulgels in muscle-based foods and explains their impact on the functioning and quality of such edibles. There is a recommendation to promote the utilisation of emulgels as effective colloids and delivery systems in the future. Additionally, it is proposed that a description of potential new applications in the food industry be provided.

This study evaluated the antioxidant potential of Mon-Pu (Glochidion wallichianum Mull. Arg.) leaf extract (MPLE) as a natural antioxidant in Ligor chicken meat gels. The investigation focused on the impacts on gelation functionality and oxidative stability during refrigerated storage. MPLE with 21.16 mg/100 g of extractable phenolic compounds and antioxidant potency (DPPH^• scavenging activity, ABTS^•+scavenging activity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) at 2.79, 21.13, and 3.20 mmole TE/g, respectively) was applied during thermal-induced gel preparation at different concentrations (0 %, 0.01 %, 0.1 %, and 1 %) in comparison with 1 % gallic acid, a reported key phenolic compound in MPLE, based on the total weight of the meat sample. MPLE at concentrations of 0.1-1 % effectively reduced lipid oxidation in Ligor meat gel during storage. Additionally, MPLE at 0.1 % inhibited protein oxidation, preserving the physical and textural qualities of meat gels during processing and refrigerated storage. Notably, MPLE at 0.1 % proved to be the most beneficial, retaining gel properties, enhancing water-holding capacity, stabilizing color, and reducing oxidative degradation. These findings indicate that MPLE, at an optimal concentration of 0.1 %, has significant potential as a natural preservative, providing a safer and more effective alternative to synthetic additives for maintaining gel properties and preserving oxidative stability of chicken meat products, particularly Ligor chicken meat gel.

Hybrid gels combining chicken and mushroom offer innovative functional food choices, catering to the growing demand for flexitarian-friendly products. These gels reduce meat content while enhancing dietary fiber, bioactive compounds, and sustainability. This study examined the effects of split gill mushroom (Schizophyllum commune) powder (SGM) substitution (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%, w/w) for Ligor chicken meat in hybrid gels, focusing on rheological and gelling properties. The 25% SGM gel demonstrated optimal performance in terms of rheology, texture, microstructure, pH, water-holding capacity, and color. At this level, hybrid gels exhibited superior gelation properties, demonstrating elasticity dominance, as indicated by a higher storage modulus (G′) than loss modulus (G″), along with stable cohesiveness and unaffected springiness (p > 0.05). However, hardness, gumminess, and chewiness were significantly lower than the control (p < 0.05). Higher SGM levels (50–75%) markedly weakened the gels, reducing viscoelasticity, increasing porosity and water release, and causing discoloration. These findings highlight 25% SGM as an optimal level for hybrid meat gels, maintaining product quality while promoting sustainability in the meat industry.

Genetic differences typically cause differences in the structure and function of proteins in meat. The objective of this research was to examine the biochemical characteristics and functional behavior of proteins in fresh composite meat from Thai Ligor hybrid chicken (LC) and commercial broiler chicken (BC). The composite meat samples, which comprise minced breast and thigh without skin from 20 chicken carcasses in a 1:1 (w/w) ratio, were randomly selected for analysis using the completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that BC meat exhibited higher ultimate pH after 24 h, Ca²⁺-ATPase activity, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble peptide content compared to LC meat (p < 0.05). While both meat types showed non-significant differences in reactive sulfhydryl (SH) levels (p > 0.05), LC meat exhibited higher hydrophobicity compared to BC meat (p < 0.05). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed a single transition peak in all samples. LC meat exhibited higher thermal stability than BC meat, with transition peaks at 91 °C and 81 °C, respectively, in non-sodium chloride (NaCl) treated samples. Samples treated with 2.5% NaCl exhibited transition peaks around 70 °C for BC and 79 °C for LC. LC meat showed higher storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) values than BC meat, suggesting a stronger gel-forming tendency. LC meat gels exhibited higher hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness, and a slightly lower pH (6.14 vs. 5.97) compared to BC meat gels (p < 0.05). LC meat gels displayed larger expressible moisture content (p < 0.05), although the value was approximately 6%. Compared to LC meat gels, BC meat gels appeared slightly whiter (p < 0.05). To compare the lipid oxidation of BC and LC meat gels day by day, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of gels stored at 4 °C in polyethylene bags were measured on Days 0, 4, and 8. Both BC and LC meat gels showed acceptable lipid oxidation-based rancid off-flavor after short-term storage at 4 °C, with TBARS values below 2 mg malondialdehyde (MDA) equivalent/kg on Day 8. Understanding these variations in biochemical properties and functional behavior can help optimize processing methods and produce meat products of superior quality that meet consumer preferences.