Meat contains high-value protein compounds that might degrade as a result of
oxidation and microbial contamination. Additionally, various pathogenic and
spoilage microorganisms can grow in meat. Moreover, contamination with
pathogenic microorganisms above the infectious dose has caused foodborne illness
outbreaks. To decrease the microbial population, traditional meat preservation
methods such as thermal treatment and chemical disinfectants are used, but it
may have limitations for the maintenance of meat quality or the consumers
acceptance. Thus, non-thermal technologies (e.g., high-pressure processing,
pulsed electric field, non-thermal plasma, pulsed light, supercritical carbon
dioxide technology, ozone, irradiation, ultraviolet light, and ultrasound) have
emerged to improve the shelf life and meat safety. Non-thermal technologies are
becoming increasingly important because of their advantages in maintaining low
temperature, meat nutrition, and short processing time. Especially, pulsed light
and pulsed electric field treatment induce few sensory and physiological changes
in high fat and protein meat products, making them suitable for the application.
Many research results showed that these non-thermal technologies may keep meat
fresh and maintain heat-sensitive elements in meat products.