Carcass composition and meat quality of three different Iberian×Duroc genotype pigs

Carcass composition and meat quality of Longissimus dorsi (LD) and Biceps femoris (BF) muscles from three different Iberian×Duroc genotype pigs were studied: GEN1: ♂ Iberian×♀ Duroc1; GEN2: ♂ Duroc1×♀ Iberian; GEN3: ♂ Duroc2×♀ Iberian. Duroc1 (DU1) were selected for the manufacture of dry-cured meat products while Duroc2 (DU2) were pigs selected for meat production, with high percentages of meat cuts and low carcass fat. Genotype had a significant effect on the differences found while sex had not. GEN2 showed the highest weights at days 180 and 238 of weaning and the highest slaughter weights (day 316) followed by GEN3, while the lowest weights were found in GEN1. GEN3 had well conformed carcasses in comparison with GEN1 and GEN2, since GEN3 showed the highest percentages of ham and loin and the highest weight of loin as well as the lowest back and ham fat thickness. However, the use of DU2 pigs in the cross with Iberian had negative effects on meat quality, as GEN3 gave the worst meat quality in both muscles, postmortem pH, cook and drip loss, and colour and the lowest percentages of intramuscular fat (IMF). In subcutaneous fat (SCF), GEN3 had higher percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) than GEN2, while GEN2 had higher saturated fatty acids (SFA) levels. In LD, IMF from GEN3 showed the highest percentage of MUFA and PUFA; while the fatty acid profile of GEN2 was more saturated. BF muscle showed similar trends, but not significantly so. On the other hand, few differences were found between reciprocal crosses (GEN1 vs. GEN2). GEN2 showed higher IMF in LD than GEN1, agreeing with their carcass weight. As a result, GEN1 had a fatty acid profile of IMF in the LD that was more unsaturated.     

The relationship between the chemical composition of the carcass and the fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat and backfat of several pig breeds slaughtered at different weights

Pigs of Belgian Landrace (B), Duroc (D), Hampshire (H), and Pietrain (P) breeds were slaughtered at 90, 110 and 130 kg body weight (BW) and the carcass chemical composition and fatty acid profiles of intramuscular fat of loin and backfat were determined. The carcass of Pietrain pigs had a higher concentration of protein and less fat than of B, D and H breeds. In tissues, the PUFA:SFA ratio was lower in the heavier (130 kg BW) than in lighter pigs (90 and 110 kg BW). This feature was higher in P pigs compared with the other breeds. The backfat had a higher concentration of PUFA:SFA ratio than intramuscular fat. The PUFA n− 6:n− 3 ratio was not affected by the breed and weight of pigs, but it was lower in backfat than in longissimus muscle fat. The protein concentration in the carcass was positively related to PUFA and negatively to SFA concentration in tissues.     

Carcass and meat quality of selected final hybrids of pigs in the Czech Republic

The objective of this work was to compare the quality of carcass and meat in the selected crossbred pigs used in the Czech Republic. A total of 200 pigs that arose from four crossbreeding was studied; the dam line was in all combination of hybrids represented by Czech Large White × Landrace. Sire line included Large White × Belgian Landrace (I), Hampshire × Pietrain (II), Duroc × Pietrain (III) and Czech meat pig (IV). Influence of crossbreeding on lean meat percentage and muscle depth was statistically highly significant (P<0.001), influence on fat depth was evident (P<0.05). Differences in pH(1) value among the individual final hybrids were not statistically significant but variance of pH(24) value was highly notable (P<0.001). All colour parameters (L(?), a(?), b(?) values), drip loss and exudate also were influenced by hybrid combination (P<0.001). Influence of crossbreeding on intramuscular fat content was not statistically significant (P=0.067). Higher content of intramuscular fat was determined in the hybrids with Duroc breed in sire line. In the whole group, 8.5% pig with PSE defect was found. By comparison of all the various hybridisation, positive influence of Hampshire breed on the carcass quality and negative influence on meat quality was confirmed. On the other hand, meat quality is positively influenced Duroc and Czech meat pig breeds.     

Effect of a linseed diet on lipid oxidation, fatty acid composition of muscle, perirenal fat, and raw and cooked rabbit meat

Forty Californian×New Zealand rabbits (1kg initial body weight) were fed a control or a linseed isoenergetic diet containing 30g of extruded linseed/kg. Twenty rabbits for each dietary treatment were slaughtered at 11 weeks of age, at 35 days after the start of the experiment. Feeding the linseed diet increased (P<0.005) the content of 18:2n-3 in muscles, perirenal fat, and raw and cooked meat. The long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents were also increased (P<0.01) in the meat. The linseed diet produced a robust decrease in the n-6/n-3 ratio. Cooking did not alter n-3 PUFA more than saturated fatty acids (SFA) or monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). However, n-6 PUFA were altered by cooking. The oxidative stability of Longissimus dorsi was not affected by the linseed diet, even after 300min of forced-oxidation. Inclusion of linseed in rabbit diets is a valid method of improving the nutritional value of rabbit meat.     

Lipid composition of meat and backfat from Casertana purebred and crossbred pigs reared outdoors

The study aimed to evaluate, with regard to the human nutrition, the lipid profile of meat and backfat from gilts and barrows of the Italian autochthonous genotype Casertana and its crossbreed (Casertana×Large White) slaughtered at two different live weights. Meat from the Casertana cross was nutritionally comparable to that from the purebreed and both would be considered healthy, irrespective of sex and weight, due to the relatively low levels of intramuscular lipids and cholesterol. Muscle cholesterol was considerably lower in the heavy pigs than in the light ones and, as weight increased, cholesterol decreased but only in gilts. Females supply meat with higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and slightly lower saturated fatty acids (SFA) respect to barrows and, thus, higher PUFA/SFA ratio. Casertana crossbreds can represent a good alternative to pure Casertana, mainly in the production of Colonnata lard, due to the better fatty acid profile of the subcutaneous adipose tissue. From the nutritional point of view, the optimal slaughtering weight was about 150kg for both genotypes. Heavy pigs, compared to the light ones, produced loin with lower atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes, lower SFA/unsaturated fatty acids ratio, and higher PUFA/SFA ratio.     

Beef lipids in relation to animal breed and nutrition in Argentina

Fatty acid (FA) composition of intramuscular fat (IMF) in M. Longissimus dorsi (LD) was measured in 72 steers from Angus (A), Charolais×Angus (CHA×A) and Holstein Argentine (HA) breeds. The steers were allotted to four dietary treatments of six animals each: T1, steers grazed on pasture; T2, steers supplemented with cracked corn grain (0.7% of live-weight) daily and free access to pasture; T3, steers supplemented with cracked corn grain (1% of live-weight) daily and free access to pasture; and T4, feedlot (concentrate based on corn, alfalfa hay and soybean meal without access to pasture). At slaughter weight, samples of LD at the 11th rib were used for intramuscular lipid analysis. The diet was shown to be more important than breed in determining FA composition. Pasture beef had higher percentages of saturated fatty acids (SFA), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and lower percentages of IMF, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), n-6 PUFA and n-6/n-3 ratios than feedlot beef. HA beef presented lower percentages of SFA and more MUFA with a higher n-6/n-3 ratio than A and CHA×A. Comparing grass and feedlot beef the amounts of FA in muscle (mg/100g) were, respectively 18:3 n-3 (44 vs. 11mg), CLA (20 vs. 12mg), 20:5 n-3 (20 vs. 11mg), 22:5 n-5 (20 vs. 11mg), 22:6 n-3 (12 vs. 6mg) and n-3 PUFA (84 vs. 32mg). Feedlot beef has more SFA (1372 vs. 1081mg), MUFA (1574 vs. 1078mg), PUFA (350 vs. 227mg) and n-6 PUFA (318 vs.143mg).     

青海牦牛肉与秦川牛肉氨基酸和脂肪酸的比较研究

通过青海牦牛肉与秦川牛肉的氨基酸和脂肪酸的比较研究,分析青海牦牛肉品质的特性及其潜在优势.选取秦川牛肉,青南、大通和环青海湖地区的成年牦牛肉以及大通犊牦牛肉进行氨基酸和脂肪酸的相关研究.结果表明:牦牛肉各组的蛋白质含量高于秦川牛肉,但差异不显著(P＞0.05);脂肪含量都低于秦川牛肉,差异极显著(P＜0.01).青南地区成年牦牛肉的必需氨基酸/非必需氨基酸(EAA/NAA)值、必需氨基酸/氨基酸总量(EAA/TAA)值、18∶2cis-12,15、α-亚麻酸、20∶0、多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)、必需脂肪酸(EFA)、多不饱和脂肪酸/脂肪酸总量(P∶S)值和n-3多不饱和脂肪酸都显著高于秦川牛肉(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);16∶0、二十碳五烯酸(EPA)和n-6/n-3值都显著低于秦川牛肉(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).大通成年牦牛肉的赖氨酸、组氨酸和15∶0都显著高于秦川牛肉(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);月桂酸、亚油酸、PUFA、EFA、n-6多不饱和脂肪酸和n-6/n-3值都显著低于秦川牛肉(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).环湖地区成年牦牛肉的脯氨酸、15∶0、16∶1cis-9、17∶0和18∶2cis-12,15都显著高于秦川牛肉(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);月桂酸和n-6/n-3值都显著低于秦川牛肉(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).大通犊牦牛肉的色氨酸、肉豆蔻酸、17∶1cis-9、18∶1cis-11、亚油酸、α-亚麻酸、20∶3cis-5,8,11、20∶3cis-7,10,13、花生四烯酸(AA)、EPA、PUFA、EFA、P∶S值、n-3多不饱和脂肪酸和n-6多不饱和脂肪酸都显著高于秦川牛肉(P＜0.05或P＜0.01);脯氨酸、14∶1cis-9、棕榈酸、17∶0、油酸、SFA、MUFA和n-6/n-3值都显著低于秦川牛肉(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).结论:青海成年牦牛肉的蛋白质和必需氨基酸含量稍高于秦川牛肉,组成与秦川牛相近,但犊牦牛肉的氨基酸含量稍差一些.牦牛肉的n-6/n-3多不饱和脂肪酸比秦川牛肉合理,都在4.0左右,其中犊牦牛肉的P∶S值为1.15,说明牦牛肉的脂肪酸品质优,尤其是犊牦牛肉.     

蒙古斑点马不同部位脂肪和肌肉组织中脂肪酸组成的比较研究

通过对蒙古斑点马不同部位脂肪和肌肉组织中脂肪酸组成进行分析比较,旨在明确蒙古斑点马体脂脂肪酸组成特点。选择3 匹成年蒙古斑点马,屠宰后采集肾周、肠周和皮下脂肪以及肩肌、背最长肌和臀肌样品,利用气相色谱法测定脂肪酸组成及含量。结果表明：蒙古斑点马不同脂肪组织中均检出19 种脂肪酸,其中饱和脂肪酸（saturated fatty acid,SFA）含量34.77%～37.38%,不饱和脂肪酸（unsaturated fatty acid,UFA）含量达60%以上,UFA中单不饱和脂肪酸（monounsaturated fatty acid,MUFA）含量33.04%～36.39%,多不饱和脂肪酸（polyunsaturated fatty acid,PUFA）含量26.47%～27.51%,其中皮下脂肪C10:0、C18:0、C20:0含量显著低于肾周和肠周脂肪（P＜0.05）;MUFA在皮下脂肪的沉积程度较其他2 个部位高,但均无统计学差异;PUFA中C18:3 n-3含量最高,其在各脂肪组织间无显著差异。3 个不同部位肌肉中均检出15 种脂肪酸,其中SFA含量占总脂肪酸含量的38.32%～40.04%,MUFA含量占35.70%～40.19%,PUFA含量占15.25%～20.33%;SFA中背最长肌和臀肌C12:0含量显著高于肩肌（P＜0.05）,其余SFA在不同部位肌肉间无显著差异;MUFA中背最长肌C16:1含量显著高于肩肌和臀肌（P＜0.05）;肩肌n-6/n-3 PUFA比值显著高于背最长肌和臀肌（P＜0.05）;皮下脂肪的C18:3 n-3和总PUFA含量显著高于背最长肌（P＜0.05）。综上所述,蒙古斑点马不同部位脂肪和肌肉组织脂肪酸组成各具特点,但UFA含量均较高。     

The influences of carcass weight and depot on the fatty acid composition of fats of suckling Manchego lambs

The effects of carcass weight (<5.5 kg, 5.5–6.5 kg, ⩾6.5 kg) of Manchego suckling lambs, type of fat depot of the leg (subcutaneous, intermuscular and intramuscular) and muscle (m. longissimus dorsi (LD) or m. quadriceps femoris (QF)) on the fatty acid composition were studied. Carcass fatness increased with increasing carcass weight. However, few differences in fatty acid proportion were observed between the three carcass weight groups. The lightest carcasses had lower proportions of myristic (C14:0) and palmitoleic (C16:1) acid and higher proportions of stearic (C18:0) acid, desirable fatty acids (DFA) (C18:0 + total unsaturated fatty acid (TUFA)) and a greater nutritive value ((C18:0 + C18:1)/C16:0). The fatty acid composition of subcutaneous and intermuscular fat depots of the leg were similar, whereas the intramuscular fat depot was different from both of these, since it had a lower proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA), a greater proportion of TUFA, higher PUFA/SFA and n − 6/n − 3 ratios, and greater DFA and nutritive values. The intramuscular fat of the LD was more saturated than QF, higher SFA, and had lower value of PUFA/SFA ratio and DFA. These results indicated that the intramuscular fat quality of the leg was better than subcutaneous and intermuscular fat depots and also that intramuscular fat displayed better attributes of quality (lower SFA, higher TUFA, and greater PUFA/SFA ratio and DFA as well) than intramuscular fat of the LD from the consumer health standpoint. Despite carcass weight affected carcass fatness, it did not seem to influence the proportions of saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids. For this reason, carcass weight probably had little effect on the organoleptic characteristics of the meat.     

两种杂交商品猪冷却肉常规养分含量、蛋白质溶解性及脂肪酸组成的比较

通过比较含地方猪血缘的杂交商品猪(杜浙猪)与外三元杂交商品猪(杜大长)背最长肌和腰大肌冷却肉的常规养分、蛋白质溶解度及脂肪酸组成,深入评价含地方猪血缘的杂交商品猪在优质猪肉生产中的优势。结果表明,杜浙猪背最长肌冷却肉的粗蛋白和粗脂肪含量显著高于杜大长猪(p<0.05),粗灰分含量显著低于杜大长猪(p<0.05);杜浙猪背最长肌和腰大肌冷却肉的肌浆蛋白溶解度均显著高于杜大长猪(p<0.05),纤维蛋白溶解度显著低于杜大长猪(p<0.05);杜浙猪背最长肌和腰大肌冷却肉的饱和脂肪酸、单不饱和脂肪酸和多不饱和脂肪酸含量均显著高于杜大长猪(p<0.05)。综合上述指标,杜浙猪冷却肉的营养价值和蛋白质功能性优于杜大长猪,将为充分利用地方猪种资源进行优质猪肉生产提供依据。     

Influence of ewe feeding systems on fatty acid composition of suckling lambs

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of ewe dietary treatments on the intramuscular fatty acid composition of suckling lambs. Twenty-four pregnant Italian Merino ewes were divided into two equal groups. One group (pasture-fed group) was allowed to graze a natural pasture and the other group (stall-fed group) was penned indoors and fed with hay and concentrate. After lambing, all ewes stayed with their respective lambs for the whole experimental period. Lambs were slaughtered at 100 days of age with an average live weight of 20kg. Fatty acid profiles of milk and lamb meat (longissimus lumborum muscle) were analysed. Intramuscular fat from pasture-fed lambs showed higher (P<0.001) proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The percentage of lauric (C12:0; P<0.05), palmitic (C16.0; P<0.001) and oleic (C18.1; P<0.001) fatty acids were higher in the intramuscular fat from stall-fed lambs, whereas pasture-fed lambs showed greater proportions of linolenic (C18:3; P<0.001), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5; P<0.001) and docosapentaenoic (C22:5; P<0.05) fatty acids. Moreover, the intramuscular fat from pasture-fed lambs displayed a higher (P<0.001) PUFA/SFA ratio, and a lower (p<0.001) n-6/n-3 ratio. The conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) tended to be higher (P=0.07) in the intramuscular fat from pasture-fed lambs. This study confirmed that pasture enhanced the unsaturated fatty acid profile of intramuscular fat in lambs including n-3 fatty acids.     

不同日龄、性别、部位Hyla兔系肌内脂肪酸组成变化

以Hyla配套系肉兔为对象,研究不同日龄、性别、部位Hyla兔系肌内脂肪酸组成的动态变化,探讨肉兔生长过程中脂肪酸的沉积规律及营养价值。结果表明：随着日龄的增加,Hyla公兔和母兔背部最长肌（longissimus dorsi,LD）、左后腿肌（left-hind leg muscle,LL）和腹肌（abdominal muscle,AM）的肌内总脂肪含量均显著增加（P＜0.05）,且AM中含量最高,LL次之,LD最低,公兔整体低于母兔;经气相色谱分析,共鉴定出21 种脂肪酸,其中不饱和脂肪酸（unsaturated fatty acids,UFA）的含量丰富,尤其是长链（C20～22）多不饱和脂肪酸（polyunsaturated fatty acids,PUFA）;随着Hyla兔的生长,3 个部位肌内脂肪的PUFA/SFA值、n-6 PUFA含量及n-3 PUFA含量显著下降（P＜0.05）,n-6/n-3值因日龄、性别和部位的差异有着不同的动态变化,比值范围为6.5～8.5;经偏最小二乘回归分析可知,日龄、性别与部位均能够显著影响Hyla兔系肌内脂肪酸组成,其中,幼龄公兔LL脂肪酸组成更优,而成年母兔LD更适宜加工。     

Composition and estimation of intramuscular and subcutaneous fatty acid composition in Spanish young bulls

Sixty Pirenaica yearling intact bulls were raised and slaughtered at 519±50kg live weight and 371±18 days of age. Fatty acid composition of intramuscular lipids in longissimus dorsi muscle and subcutaneous fat were determined by capillary gas chromatography. Carcass conformation and fatness, carcass weight, ether extractable intramuscular fat percentage, marbling, dorsal fat thickness, and ultrasonic parameters were recorded to study the relationship between these traits and fatty acid profile. Lipids of subcutaneous adipose tissue had higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) percentage (49% vs. 33%) but lower saturated fatty acids (SFA) (51% vs. 46%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (16% vs. 5%) percentages than intramuscular fat depots (p<0.001). Fatter carcasses had higher MUFA percentage and lower PUFA percentage (p<0.01) in intramuscular fat. Carcass weight and conformation would contribute to explain the fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat (p<0.05). Ultrasound readings reflected the effect of fatness on fat composition.     

Fatty acid composition of Celta pig breed as influenced by sex and location of fat in the carcass

BACKGROUND: The influence of sex and location of fat in the carcass on the fatty acid profile of Celta pigs was studied. Twenty pigs (10 castrated males and 10 females) from the Carballina line were used. RESULTS: The fatty acids composition was predominated by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA; approximately 48% of total methyl esters), followed by saturated fatty acids (SFA; approximately 40% of total methyl esters) and, finally, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; approximately 12% of total methyl esters). The sex and location of fat in the carcass showed significant differences in PUFA and SFA content while both factors were not significantly different with respect to MUFA content. Linoleic, linolenic, eicosatrienoic and arachidonic fatty acids showed the largest difference among the three locations (intramuscular, subcutaneous ventral and subcutaneous dorsal) of the fat in the carcass. CONCLUSION: The fatty acid profile that we observed in the fat of the Celta pigs does not differ greatly from those described by other authors in other autochthonous pig breeds. Principal component analysis offered a good separation of the mean samples according to the sex and location of fat of the pigs. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Meat quality comparison of Berkshire, Duroc and crossbred pigs sired by Berkshire and Duroc

The object of this study is to specify features determining meat quality of Berkshire and Duroc and influence of these purebreds on meat quality of crossbred pigs. In total, 37 purebred pigs (Berkshire and Duroc: originating from line breeding in Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyagi Prefecture, respectively) and two crossbreeds (LDB and LDD: produced by crossing Berkshire and Duroc boars to Duroc-Landrace sows) were used. Berkshire accumulated more subcutaneous and abdominal fat and had small loin eye muscle area, but accumulated less intramuscular fat than Duroc. There were no differences in meat colour and tenderness between the two purebreds. But Berkshire was less than Duroc in drip loss. As for fatty acid of inner and outer subcutaneous fat, Berkshire contained significantly higher concentration of saturated fatty acids, but had lower concentration of unsaturated fatty acid than Duroc. As a result, the melting point of inner and outer subcutaneous fat and perirenal fat of Berkshire was significantly higher than that of Duroc. Furthermore, though there was no breed difference in concentration of saturated fatty acids of intramuscular fat, Duroc had more oleic acid (C18:1) than Berkshire. Fatty acid concentrations of inner and outer subcutaneous fat and intramuscular fat as well as melting points of both subcutaneous fat layers and perirenal fat were the same in Berkshire and LDB and in Duroc and LDD. These results suggest that there were remarkable differences between Berkshire and Duroc in fat quality traits; also, both breeds as terminal sires influenced crossbred pigs' fat accumulation and fat quality traits.     

Fatty acid composition of adipose depots of suckling lambs raised under different production systems

Forty-nine male Talaverana-breed suckling lambs slaughtered at 14 kg live weight were used to study the fatty acid composition of adipose depots of lambs raised under different management systems (pasture or drylot) and diets (maternal milk with or without a concentrate supplement). Drylot lambs displayed a higher fatness score, in addition to greater dorsal fat thickness; these parameters corresponded with a greater percentage of total fat at dissection. Addition of concentrate to the diet did not modify carcass fatness. Drylot lambs presented higher proportions of oleic acid (C18:1) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and lower linolenic acid (C18:3) values in subcutaneous and intramuscular fat (muscle longissimus thoracis). The subcutaneous fat of these lambs thus displayed a higher n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (C18:2/C18:3) than that of pasture-raised ones. Concentrate in the diet of both pasture and drylot lambs resulted in higher linoleic fatty acid (C18:2) and PUFA values and a greater PUFA/SFA ratio in intramuscular fat than the corresponding values of lambs which consumed maternal milk alone. Loin displayed a higher percentage of subcutaneous and intramuscular chemical fat than leg. Compared with intramuscular leg fat (muscle quadriceps femoris), intramuscular loin fat (muscle longissimus thoracis) had lower oleic acid (C18:1) and MUFA values, higher PUFA values and a higher PUFA/SFA ratio, due to greater linolenic acid (C18:3) levels.     

Suitability of three commercially produced pig breeds in Germany for a meat quality program with emphasis on drip loss and eating quality

This study aimed at characterising 606 crossbred pigs of three commercially available breed types in terms of their carcass and meat quality. Breed G and H were German Large White (LW) × German Landrace (LR) sows sired with Pietrain (PI) boars, i.e. PI × (LW × LR). Breed S was 25% Duroc (DU), i.e. PI × (DU × LR). Most of the parameters were affected by breed and/or date of slaughter. The meat of crossbred pigs with 25% Duroc proportion appeared most favourable because of higher intramuscular fat content, lower drip loss and higher sensory liking scores. Conductivity is closely related to drip loss while the data suggests that the relationship is dependent on breed and carcass weight. The application of conductivity and lean meat yield thresholds to select carcasses with uniform and superior meat quality effectively decreased drip loss and increased intramuscular fat content as well as sensory liking scores. The variation of meat quality traits remains high, though.     

Effect of different feeds on meat quality and fatty acid composition of lambs fattened at pasture

Two kinds of feed (commercial concentrate vs whole supplemented barley) were compared in unweaned lambs and lambs weaned at 40 days of age, fattened at pasture and slaughtered at 28 kg live weight, in order to observe their effects on meat quality and fatty acid composition. The weaning status influenced fatness; unweaned lambs displayed a greater carcass fatness score and more kidney knob and channel fat than weaned lambs. Compared with the unweaned animals, weaned lambs exhibited higher pH values at 0 h and 45 min in the m. longissimus thoracis (LT) and at 45 min and 24 h in the m. semitendinosus. The redness index (a*) of the m. LT of weaned lambs was higher than that of unweaned lambs, and lambs fed concentrate displayed a higher yellowness index (b*) and a higher Hue value than those given whole barley. Water-holding capacity did not vary with the treatments studied. The proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in intramuscular fat was higher (P?0.001) in unweaned lambs than in weaned ones while, on the other hand, the latter displayed a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and a higher n-6/n-3 ratio in the same tissue. As was the case with intramuscular fat, the subcutaneous fat of unweaned lambs exhibited higher proportions of medium-chain fatty acids (C12:0, C14:0 y C16:0) and lower ones of stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1) fatty acids than that of weaned lambs. Higher levels of heptadecenoic acid (C17:1) were found in the subcutaneous fat of lambs fed whole barley than in that of lambs given concentrate. PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratios were lower in the m. LT than in the m. quadriceps femoris.     

LIPID COMPOSITION OF PORK MUSCLE AS AFFECTED BY SIRE GENETIC TYPE

Lipid composition of the muscle Semimembranosus was analyzed in the offspring of five different sire genetic types: Danish Duroc (DU), Dutch Large White (LW_D), English Large White (LW_E), Belgian Landrace × Landrace (EL × LR) and Belgian Landrace (BL), all of them mated to Landrace × Large White sows. The animals sired by DU boars showed the highest intramuscular fat, nonpolar lipid and free fatty acid contents. Fatty acid composition of triglycerides was little affected by genetic type. However, the fatty acid composition of phospholipids was strongly affected, the highest monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and the lowest polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) percentages being found in the animals sired by BL × LR boars. On the other hand, the animals sired by BL boars, which showed the highest phospholipid content, showed the highest PUFA percentage.     

Effects of breed, diet and muscle on fat deposition and eating quality in pigs

A study in 192 entire male pigs examined the effects of breed, diet and muscle on growth, fatness, sensory traits and fatty acid composition. There were four breeds: two modern breeds, Duroc and Large White and two traditional breeds, Berkshire and Tamworth. The diets differed in energy:protein ratio, being conventional (C) and low protein (LP) diets, respectively. Muscles investigated were the ‘white' longissimus dorsi (LD) and the ‘red' psoas major (PS). Breed influenced growth rate and fatness, the modern breeds being faster-growing with leaner carcasses. However, the concentrations of neutral lipid fatty acids and marbling fat (neutral lipid + phosopholipid fatty acids) were higher in Berkshire and Duroc, in both LD and PS. Relationships between marbling fat and P2 fat thickness showed clear breed effects, with Duroc having high marbling fat at low P2 and Tamworth low marbling fat at high P2. Breed effects on sensory scores given by the trained taste panel to griddled LD and PS steaks were relatively small. Breed affected the fatty acid composition of intramuscular neutral lipid, with high % values for the saturated fatty acids, 14:0 and 16:0 in Berkshire and Tamworth (fat carcasses) and high values for polyunsaturated fatty acids in Duroc and Large White (lean carcasses). Duroc had particularly high concentrations of the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, 20:5n−3 and 22:6n−3 in phospholipid of both muscles. Diet influenced growth rate and fatness, the LP diet slowing growth and producing fatter meat, more so in the two modern breeds, and particularly in intramuscular rather than subcutaneous fat. This diet produced more tender and juicy meat, although pork flavour and flavour liking were reduced. The PS muscle had higher tenderness, juiciness, pork flavour, flavour liking and overall liking scores than LD. The concentration of phospholipid fatty acids was higher in PS than LD but neutral lipid fatty acid content and marbling fat were higher in LD.