Supercooling storage refers to lowering the product temperature below its
freezing point without phase transition and has the potential to extend shelf
life. Nevertheless, supercooled objects are in a thermodynamically unstable
state, and nucleation can occur spontaneously. To achieve supercooling storage,
slow cooling and insulation are essential. Hence, a stepwise algorithm for the
supercooling storage of pork loins was designed and validated in this study.
Pork loins were stored at 3°C, −18°C, and
−3°C (freezing), and supercooled for 16 days. All samples remained
in a supercooled state and were unfrozen at the end of storage. Supercooled pork
loins were superior in terms of drip loss, cooking loss, and water-holding
capacity compared to frozen samples. Additionally, supercooling treatment
prevented discoloration, increase of volatile basic nitrogen, and microbial
growth. Thus, supercooling of pork loin was achieved using a stepwise program
and was effective to maintain meat quality.