2.3. Freezing time and freezing rate
The freezing time was obtained from the cooling curves and
was established according to the time for the central temperature
of the sample to decrease from 0 to 5 C (critical zone of maximal
ice crystal formation) and from 0 to 18 C (almost complete
freezing), as Chen and Pan (1997). Freezing rates were calculated
as the half thickness of the fish burger (cm) divided by the freezing
time (h) (Chen and Pan, 1997).