Effects of different thawing methods on physicochemical properties and structure of largemouth bass (Micropterus...

To evaluate the physicochemical properties and structure of thawed fillets, following six treatments were used: conventional thawing, microwave thawing, microwave or ultrasound combined with vacuum thawing, magnetic nanoparticles combined with microwave or far-infrared thawing. The thawing loss, cooking loss, pH, color, texture change, water-holding capacity, and water migration of fish fillets were determined. The total volatile base nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid were used to determine the degree of protein degradation and lipid oxidation. Microscope observations and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to observe fiber microstructure. Results indicated that both microwave combined with vacuum thawing and far-infrared combined with magnetic nanoparticles thawing had desirable physicochemical properties as compared to other thawing methods. The lower total volatile base nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid values had less effect on protein degradation and lipid oxidation of thawing process. Besides, both microwaves combined with vacuum thawing and far-infrared combined with magnetic nanoparticles thawing samples had no significant difference in immobilized and bond water compared with fresh sample. SEM and microscopic observation showed that the myofibril bundles were arranged regularly and smoothly in microwave combined with vacuum thawing and far-infrared combined with magnetic nanoparticles thawing samples compared with other thawed methods. Thus, the microwave combined with vacuum thawing and far-infrared combined with magnetic nanoparticles thawing as potential thawing methods could be used to maintain the quality of thawed fish fillets. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is a good source of animal protein. The fish needs to be frozen for circulation because of geographical and seasonal factors, so thawing methods can directly affect the quality of thawed fish. The results showed that the microwave combined with vacuum and the magnetic nanoparticles combined with far-infrared thawing could better maintain the quality of thawed fish.