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Updated: Aug 26, 2026

Freezing, Thawing, and Packaging Cells for Transport
Published on: July 2, 2008
From thawing to quality restoration: Advanced thawing technologies for frozen starchy foods toward industry 5.0
Chao Wang1, Min Zhang2, Luming Rui3
1State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Resources, School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, 214122 Wuxi, Jiangsu, China; Jiangsu Province International Joint Laboratory on Fresh Food Smart Processing and Quality Monitoring, Jiangnan University, 214122 Wuxi, Jiangsu, China.
Abstract:
Frozen starchy foods are susceptible to quality deterioration during thawing due to ice crystal growth and starch retrogradation. Conventional thawing methods relying on heat conduction suffer from slow rates and uneven temperature distribution. Advanced physical field thawing technologies, particularly microwave and ultrasound thawing, can significantly shorten thawing time, modulate water molecular motion, and inhibit starch retrogradation through volumetric heating or cavitation effects, thereby achieving quality restoration. Multi-physics field synergistic thawing technologies achieve a better balance between thawing speed and quality retention, representing a cutting-edge direction. In the context of Industry 5.0, integrating intelligent sensing, artificial intelligence, digital twins, and green design enable the construction of human-centric and sustainable intelligent thawing systems, facilitating self-adaptive management throughout the entire process. This review systematically elucidates the mechanisms of quality deterioration during thawing, summarizes research progress in various advanced thawing technologies, and explores the construction pathway of intelligent thawing systems oriented toward Industry 5.0, providing theoretical support and technical references for the transformation and upgrading of the quick-frozen staple food industry.
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