Iberian dry-cured loins from pigs fattened in Montanera are usually subjected to seasonal production, which could be overcome through freezing the loin before the curing process. Hence, three homogeneous batches (n = 15 per batch) were established to evaluate the effect of different pre-freezing cure (−20 ± 2 °C) times (three and six months) of raw material on main quality characteristics of dry-cured loins in comparison to those elaborated from unfrozen meat. All samples were subjected to similar seasoning and same curing length to obtain dry-cured loins. Results showed a decrease in lightness, redness, chrome and hue values, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), higher oxidative phenomena, and changes in rheological properties in fresh loins on account on freezing (p ≤ 0.05). Some quality parameters of dry-cured loins were affected by freezing, weight loss, and hardness being higher as well as salt content being lower. PUFA and Warner–Braztler Shear Force (p ≤ 0.05) also showed higher values in dry-cured loins from frozen meat than those elaborated from unfrozen counterparts.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.