Mechanism of low-voltage electrostatic fields on the water-holding capacity in frozen beef steak: Insights from myofilament lattice arrays

This study investigated the impact of low-voltage electrostatic field-assisted freezing on the water-holding capacity of beef steaks. The enhances mechanism of water-holding capacity by electrostatic field was elucidated through the detection of dynamic changes in the myofilament lattice and the construction of an in vitro myosin filaments model. The findings demonstrated that the disorder of the myofilament array, resulted from the aggregation of myosin filaments during freezing, is a crucial factor responsible for the water loss. The intervention of the electrostatic field can effectively reduce the myofibril density by 18.7%, while maintaining a regular lattice array by modulating electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between myofibrils. Moreover, the electrostatic field significantly inhibited the migration of immobilized water to free water, thus resulting in an increase in the water-holding capacity of myofibrils by 36%. This work provides insights into the underlying mechanisms of water loss in frozen steaks and its regulation.