Ground beef patties (15% fat) were freeze-dried to different a w endpoints and stored at 25 8C or 49 8C. Water activity, total moisture (%), lipid oxidation (TBARS@450nm), and protein solubility were evaluated. TBARS @450nm was favored at 49 8C, but not at 25 8C except at high a w range (p < 0.05), whereas protein solubility was greater at 25 8C than 49 8C (p < 0.05). TBARS@450nm values at 49 8C were generally greatest at low a w range (p > 0.05). Protein solubility was lowest at medium a w at 49 8C (p < 0.05), while at 25 8C low a w protected protein solubility better than other low or high a w values.