Physicochemical changes and protein denaturation were evaluated for pork longissimus dorsi muscle subjected to different thawing methods. Fresh pork longissimus dorsi muscle served as a control. Microwave (MT), microwave combined with ultrasonic (MUT), microwave combined with 35 °C water immersion (MIT), microwave combined with 4 °C refrigeration (MRT), microwave combined with air convection (MAT), and microwave combined with running water (MWT) were applied. All microwave-based methods excepted for MT avoided localized overheating. The changes in the water holding capacity (WHC), color, TBARS, and protein solubility were lowest with MAT. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic rheological property measurements indicated, that the MAT samples changed only slightly and presented with complete peaks and high G′ values compared with the other treatments. Thus, MAT may reduce protein denaturation associated with meat thawing. The results of this study indicated that MAT effectively shortens thawing time, preserves meat quality and uniformity, and could benefit the meat industry and those who consume its products.

The physicochemical and rheological properties of raw and cooked batters produced by a chopping or beating process with various amounts of salt content were studied. Various meat batters were made up for this purpose: the batter processed by chopping with 2% salt, by beating with 1% salt and 2% salt, respectively. Compared with the chopping, the beating cooked batters had higher L* value, hardness, G’ value at 80°C, and lower cooking loss. Using the beating process, the batter with 1% salt had lower L* values, hardness, springiness, and higher cooking loss than the 2% salt. From the micrographs, the batters produced by beating process exhibited more uniform and compact microstructure than the chopping. The result of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance exhibited that the batters of beating had higher water holding capacity than the chopping. Overall, the beating process enabled lowering of the salt content, cooking loss, and making the cooked batter more hard and elastic.