10 g samples were homogenized with 90 mL of distilled water in a blender (PHILIPS, HR2870) for 1 min. Then pH of the mixture was measured directly using a pH-meter (FE20, Mettler-Toledo Instruments Co., Ltd., China). Meat colour was determined at the surface of the samples with Colour Difference Meter (WSC-S;China). CIE L* (lightness), a* (redness) and b* (yellowness) parameters were recorded. The average value for each sample was the mean of 10 determinations.