Cold Stage Scanning Electron Microscopy Study of Meat Batters

摘要

ABSTRACTCryo scanning electron microscopy (Cryo SEM) was used to study the microstructure of raw and cooked meat batters and compared with conventional SEM and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cryo SEM revealed that raw batters consisted of an organized, highly interconnected protein matrix in which fat globules were dispersed. Cryo SEM resulted in much better preservation of protein gel structure compared to conventional SEM which caused shrinkage of the specimen, resulting in a closed gel matrix structure. TEM confirmed the differences between the matrices of raw and cooked batters shown by cryo SEM. Methods for preparation of specimen for cryo SEM were developed.