Thermal phase transitions and mechanical characterization of Atlantic cod muscles at low and ultra-low temperatures

The rupture stress and Young's modulus increased linearly with the decreasing of temperature; their abrupt changes were observed between −80.0 and −85.0 °C, when both values increased sharply and then were stable until −130.0 °C. The rheological properties correlated with the thermal phase transition in the cod's tissues, and with the water state in the product. The abrupt changes in rapture strength and Young's modulus were related to the low temperature glass transition. The cod tissues in the glassy state showed only brittle properties.