The samples were stored for 1 month at −20 °C before thawing. Prior to thawing, one thermocouple was inserted in up to the thermal centre (using an electric drill) and the frozen muscles were placed in a refrigeration unit at 4 °C with a wind speed of 1.2 m/s until the thermal centre reached 0 °C. The muscles were then packaged as not edabove and prepared for analysis.