The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based Dish

Ready-to-eat meat products face quality challenges during storage and reheating. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physicochemical/microbiological changes in stewed mutton during storage (4 °C/−18 °C, 0–28 days) and (ii) evaluate reheating methods (boiling vs. microwaving) on day-7 samples. T...

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Main Authors: Zhihao Yang, Chenlei Wang, Ye Jin, Wenjia Le, Liang Zhang, Lifei Wang, Bo Zhang, Yueying Guo, Min Zhang, Lin Su
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
Series:Foods
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2748
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author Zhihao Yang
Chenlei Wang
Ye Jin
Wenjia Le
Liang Zhang
Lifei Wang
Bo Zhang
Yueying Guo
Min Zhang
Lin Su
author_facet Zhihao Yang
Chenlei Wang
Ye Jin
Wenjia Le
Liang Zhang
Lifei Wang
Bo Zhang
Yueying Guo
Min Zhang
Lin Su
author_sort Zhihao Yang
collection DOAJ
description Ready-to-eat meat products face quality challenges during storage and reheating. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physicochemical/microbiological changes in stewed mutton during storage (4 °C/−18 °C, 0–28 days) and (ii) evaluate reheating methods (boiling vs. microwaving) on day-7 samples. The nutritional analysis confirmed moisture reduction (57.32 vs. 72.12 g/100 g)-concentrated protein/fat levels. Storage at −18 °C suppressed microbial growth (the total plate count (TPC), 3.73 vs. 4.80 log CFU/g at 28 days; <i>p</i> < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS): 0.14 vs. 0.19 mg/kg) more effectively than storage at 4 °C. The total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) kinetics projected a shelf life ≥90 days (4 °C) and ≥120 days (−18 °C). Microwave reheating after frozen storage (−18 °C) maximized the yield (86.21% vs. 75.90% boiling; <i>p</i> < 0.05) and preserved volatile profiles closest to those in the fresh samples (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)/electronic nose). The combination of freezing storage and subsequent microwave reheating has been demonstrated to be an effective method for preserving the quality of a precooked lamb dish, thereby ensuring its nutritional value.
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spelling doaj-art-e9acbe8ce6fc4b47842cad64cf7fd0b92025-08-20T03:36:27ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-08-011415274810.3390/foods14152748The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based DishZhihao Yang0Chenlei Wang1Ye Jin2Wenjia Le3Liang Zhang4Lifei Wang5Bo Zhang6Yueying Guo7Min Zhang8Lin Su9College of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaXilin Gol League Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Xilinhot 026000, ChinaXilin Gol League Qinmu Foods Co., Xilinhot 026000, ChinaInner Mongolia Daqi Foods Co., Ordos 017000, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaCollege of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaReady-to-eat meat products face quality challenges during storage and reheating. This study aimed to (i) characterize the physicochemical/microbiological changes in stewed mutton during storage (4 °C/−18 °C, 0–28 days) and (ii) evaluate reheating methods (boiling vs. microwaving) on day-7 samples. The nutritional analysis confirmed moisture reduction (57.32 vs. 72.12 g/100 g)-concentrated protein/fat levels. Storage at −18 °C suppressed microbial growth (the total plate count (TPC), 3.73 vs. 4.80 log CFU/g at 28 days; <i>p</i> < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS): 0.14 vs. 0.19 mg/kg) more effectively than storage at 4 °C. The total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) kinetics projected a shelf life ≥90 days (4 °C) and ≥120 days (−18 °C). Microwave reheating after frozen storage (−18 °C) maximized the yield (86.21% vs. 75.90% boiling; <i>p</i> < 0.05) and preserved volatile profiles closest to those in the fresh samples (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)/electronic nose). The combination of freezing storage and subsequent microwave reheating has been demonstrated to be an effective method for preserving the quality of a precooked lamb dish, thereby ensuring its nutritional value.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2748stewed lambrefrigerationfreezingmicrowavingboilingspoilage
spellingShingle Zhihao Yang
Chenlei Wang
Ye Jin
Wenjia Le
Liang Zhang
Lifei Wang
Bo Zhang
Yueying Guo
Min Zhang
Lin Su
The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based Dish
Foods
stewed lamb
refrigeration
freezing
microwaving
boiling
spoilage
title The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based Dish
title_full The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based Dish
title_fullStr The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based Dish
title_full_unstemmed The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based Dish
title_short The Impact of Storage Time and Reheating Method on the Quality of a Precooked Lamb-Based Dish
title_sort impact of storage time and reheating method on the quality of a precooked lamb based dish
topic stewed lamb
refrigeration
freezing
microwaving
boiling
spoilage
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/15/2748
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