Changes in water retention of cod muscle during salting were
explained by alterations of both the extra- and intra-cellular matrix.
The main changes occurred during dry salting, when salt content
(zNaCl) of the muscle increased from 7% (brined) and 9%
(injected and brined) to 27%. Shrinkage of the muscle fibers resulted
in dehydration of the muscle. At the same time, the ratio
of water located in the extra-cellular matrix increased due to
enlargement of the inter-cellular space. These changes were
caused by salting-out of proteins and enzymatic degradation of
structural components in the muscle, presumably of collagen.
During rehydration, the muscle swelled again up to a similar
cross-sectional area as in the raw muscle. However, the inter-cellular
space remained larger, which was suggested to be the main reason
for the higher water content in the rehydrated compared to the
raw muscle.