Hydroxytyrosol-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs): Preparation, Cryoprotective mechanisms and their protective effects on the quality of freeze-thawed minced beef

Natural deep eutectic solvents show concentration-dependent antifreeze performance. • The formation of hydrogen bond networks can inhibit ice crystal growth. • Natural deep eutectic solvents protect the moisture of frozen-thawed minced beef. • After 2–8 freeze-thaw cycles, propionaldehyde in food stays below 1.2 μg/g. Using eutectic technology, 4 Natural deep eutectic solvents composite systems were developed to enhance hydroxytyrosol (DHPET) stability and to verify their efficacy in frozen preservation. The hydrogen-bond network density in ternary systems was significantly higher than in binary systems, indicating stronger dynamic hydrogen-bond interactions. The ternary systems maintained viscosity dominance below −20 °C. LC-DHPET is particularly effective in inhibiting lipid oxidation. After 2–8 freeze-thaw cycles, the malondialdehyde content in the food remains consistently below 1.2 μg/g. The average ice crystal diameter of LB-DHPET is 16.91 μm, and the average ice crystal area is 324.61 μm 2 . LB-DHPET stands out most significantly in terms of preventing moisture loss. Natural deep eutectic solvents regulate the size of ice crystals through hydrogen bond networks. During repeated freeze-thaw cycles, they exhibit a synergistic effect of multiple components, effectively delaying the quality deterioration of minced beef. Download: Download high-res image (239KB) Download: Download full-size image