autolysis a process of self-digestion, when the enzymes naturally present in what had been a living organism proceed, after the death of the organism, to break down its cells or tissues. For example, when game birds are hung to tenderize them, autolysis of the connective tissues occurs. This is most relevant to crustacea (crab, lobster, and prawns) where the enzymes in their ‘liver’ or midgut gland flood ‘the muscle tissue and break it down into a mush’ (McGee, 2004) if they die before they are cooked.
