The casing was previously desalted and washed with dechlorinated water. The recently stuffed pieces were bathed in mould (Penicilium chrysogenum PS5.1 solution (0.8 g L–1 water) and hung from steel racks of 1.2-m wide, 1.2-m deep and 2.2-m high. The loading density on the trolleys was 19 kg m3. The trolleys were placed in an air-drying room (Sabroe S.A., Barcelona, Spain) set at 15 ± 1°C. After the RH was gradually reduced, the first day at ambient humid- ity to eliminate water through dripping – 6 days at 80 ± 5% RH and 5 days at 70 ± 5% RH. The temperature and RH were verified using a P 650 thermohygrometer with a precision of 0.2°C and 0.5% RH. After drying, excess external microflora was eliminated by brushing in a chamber to avoid recontamination. The samples were stored at 4°C and 80 ± 5% RH for up to 24 hours prior to analysis.