Cell water content was measured by the wet weight − dry weight method [25]. In brief, RBCs were pelletted by centrifugation at 12,000 g for 10 min at 4 °C. The extruded pellet was weighed immediately (to 0.01 mg) and again after drying for 18 h at 95 °C. Water content was expressed as ml water per g dry cell solids (ml/g dcs).