Formation of advanced glycation end products of chicken breast meat induced by freeze–thaw cycles and subsequent cooking

The impacts of freeze–thaw (F–T) cycles and cooking on the basic composition, protein and lipid oxidation, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) of chicken breasts were studied. During F–T cycles, the moisture and protein contents of raw and cooked chicken breasts decreased, and protein and lipid oxidation occurred, increasing carbonyl and TBARS contents. Meanwhile, the contents of methylglyoxal, glyoxal, and hydroxymethylfurfural in raw meat increased by 2.27, 2.27, and 5 times, respectively, whereas glyoxal and hydroxymethylfurfural contents increased by 2.73 and 3 times, respectively, after cooking as F–T cycles increased. The formation of carboxymethyl lysine, pentosidine, and fluorescent AGEs in cooked samples was confirmed using an ELISA kit and fluorescent intensity. The study also revealed that AGEs contents of chicken meat were negatively correlated with moisture contents and positively correlated with carbonyl and TBARS levels. Therefore, F–T cycles and subsequent cooking promoted AGEs formation in cooked meat.