Processing parameters involved in the development of texture and tyrosine precipitates in dry-cured ham: Modelisation of texture development.

The aim of this study was to quantify the effects of different processing parameters on texture development and the incidence of white film and tyrosine crystals in dry-cured ham. Hams were dry-salted for 0.65, 0.8 or 1.0 days/kg. After drying for 45 days at 5 °C, they were dried at 10, 15 or 20 °C until reaching 33% weight loss and, thereafter, dried at 25 °C until reaching 36 or 40% weight loss. The salting time, drying temperature and target weight loss significantly affected the texture and incidence of white film and tyrosine crystals. A beneficial effect of drying at 20 °C on texture was found, which was especially important for low target weight loss (33%). Besides, hams dried at 20 °C and those with 40% weight loss showed higher incidence of tyrosine crystals. Contour plots and predictive models for texture can be used to define optimal processing parameters.