Biochemical changes in an intermediate moisture cecina-like meat during storage

Biochemical and microbiological changes in two cecina-like products were evaluated during storage. Two products were prepared, one by salting and the other by infusion in a salt-glycerol solution. The samples were vacuum packed and tested monthly for pH, colour, haematin complex, soluble nitrogen and microbiological spoilage. Proteolysis and increase in pH showed a high correlation for both samples. Temperature-dependent changes in colour and concentration of haematin complex during storage were also found in both samples. The activation energy for haematin transformation was found to be around 1 kcal/mol. Based on the low activation energy for haematin complex degradation (around 1 kcal/mol) for both samples, this process may be regarded as a low energy biochemical process.