Water losses during thawing and chemical composition
A three centimeter fragment of loin was stored at –20 °C for a maximum
of 3 months prior to determination of post-freezing water loss
(thaw loss). Samples were removed from the freezer, trimmed of external
fat while still frozen, weighed (pre-thaw weight), thawed at 4 °C
for about 24 h and re-weighed (post-thaw weight). Thaw loss was
calculated based on the difference between the pre-thaw and postthaw
weights, expressed as the percentage of the pre-thaw weights.
The basic meat chemical composition was estimated in the meat, i.e.
total protein, fat, ash and dry matter (AOAC, 2003).