A diffusion chamber technique based on time lag analysis for the estimation of effective diffusion coefficient of nitrite through calf meat is reported. For the solute studied. a reduction in effective diffusion coefficient was observed with a retardation of solute flux in both aqueous and calf meat layers. Here, we report the diffusion coefficient obtained by lag-time analysis for nitrite through a calf meat layer in an attempt to examine the precise effect of meat structure. The diffusion coefficient of nitrite in meat layer was found as. D = 1.1 x 10(-10) m(2)/s. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.