The pH was measured by immersing the pH probe of a digital pH meter (micropH 2001, Crison, Barcelona, Spain) in a diluted and homogenized sample containing 10 g of sausage and 90 ml of distilled water. Water activity (aw) was measured with a calibrated electric hygrometer (HygroLab, Rotronic, Bassersdorf, Switzerland) according to the manufacturer's instructions.