Effect of Thawing Methods and Storage Time on Physicochemical Characteristic and Fatty Acid and Amino Acid Content of Frozen Duck Meat

This study investigated the effects of thawing methods and storage time on the quality of frozen duck meat. Meat was obtained from eight-week-old Korean native ducks (average weight=2.8 kg). Seventy-two samples were divided into eight treatments (three replicates/treatment, three samples/replicate) with 2 × 4 factorial arrangement based on two thawing methods (under running water at 12°C for 3 h and in a refrigerator at 5°C for 24 h) and four storage times (1, 3, 6, and 12 months). CIE b* was significantly different among different storage time treatments, reaching its lowest after 6 months (P<0.05). Cooking loss did not differ between storage times; however, it was significantly lower following application of the fast thawing treatment (P<0.05). Water-holding capacity of meat stored for one month was highest compared to that of meat stored for a longer period (P<0.05). Additionally, there were significant differences based on storage time in δ-linoleic acid (C18:3n6) and eicosenoic acid (C20:1n9) contents (P<0.01), as well as in protein contents (P<0.05). Palmitoleic acid (C16:1n7) typically decreased after three months of storage; however, this decline was not significant compared to other storage times. Essential amino acids contents, except methionine, were significantly difference at six and 12 months of storage (P<0.05). Similarly, non-essential amino acid contents, except tyrosine, were significantly different among storage periods (P<0.05, P<0.01). Alternatively, there were no significant differences in the chemical composition, fatty acid content, or amino acid content based on the thawing method.