Lipidomics reveals alterations of lipid composition and molecular nutrition in irradiated marble beef.

Electron beam irradiation can effectively inhibit microbial growth, but the changes of lipid during irradiation have not been comprehensively analyzed in marble beef. Here, UHPLC-MS/MS was used to detect lipids changes of irradiated marble beef. A total of 1032 lipids were identified and classified into 3 lipid classes and 8 subclasses in irradiated marble beef. 9 lipid biomarkers were screened with increasing irradiation dose. 122 differential lipids were generated and involved in 4 metabolic pathways included Glycerophospholipid metabolism, Linoleic acid metabolism, alpha-Linolenic acid metabolism and Arachidonic acid metabolism though PC(18:0/14:0), PE(16:0/16:0) and PE(18:0/16:0) in irradiated. Our results showed that irradiation had effect on the lipid of marbled beef, but the increase of irradiation dose from 2.5 kGy to 4.5 kGy had little effect on lipids. These results help us to understand the dynamic changes of irradiated meat lipids and lay a foundation for the application of irradiation in meat preservation.