Cryopreservation, one of the most effective preservation
methods,
is essential for maintaining the safety and quality of food. However,
there is no denying the fact that the quality of muscle food deteriorates
as a result of the unavoidable production of ice. Advancements in
cryoregulatory materials and techniques have effectively mitigated
the adverse impacts of ice, thereby enhancing the standard of freezing
preservation. The first part of this overview explains how ice forms,
including the theoretical foundations of nucleation, growth, and recrystallization
as well as the key influencing factors that affect each process. Subsequently,
the impact of ice formation on the eating quality and nutritional
value of muscle food is delineated. A systematic explanation of cutting-edge
strategies based on nucleation intervention, growth control, and recrystallization
inhibition is offered. These methods include antifreeze proteins,
ice-nucleating proteins, antifreeze peptides, natural deep eutectic
solvents, polysaccharides, amino acids, and their derivatives. Furthermore,
advanced physical techniques such as electrostatic fields, magnetic
fields, acoustic fields, liquid nitrogen, and supercooling preservation
techniques are expounded upon, which effectively hinder the formation
of ice crystals during cryopreservation. The paper outlines the difficulties
and potential directions in ice inhibition for effective cryopreservation.