Variation in lipid composition through the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue of pigs

Serial samples were taken at regular intervals through the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue of pigs and the lipid and fatty acid composition of each was determined. The triglycerides from the region immediately beneath the skin contained a much higher proportion of oleic acid and correspondingly less of the other fatty acids than did the triglycerides from the remainder of the tissue; there was a similar but less marked increase in the proportion of oleic acid in the triglycerides from the innermost sections of adipose tissue. There was a distinct discontinuity in the fatty acid composition at the line of connective tissue between the inner and outer layers of adipose tissue. The chemical changes were correlated with the morphological appearance of the tissue by histological examination.     

Feeding feedlot steers fish oil alters the fatty acid composition of adipose and muscle tissue

Sixteen steers (441±31.7kg initial body weight) consumed two high concentrate diets with either 0 or 3% fish oil to determine the impact of fish oil, an omega-3 fatty acid source, on the fatty acid composition of beef carcasses. Collected tissue samples included the Longissimus thoracis from the 6th to 7th rib section, ground 10th to 12th rib, liver, subcutaneous adipose tissue adjacent to the 12th rib, intramuscular adipose tissue in the 6th to 7th rib sections, perirenal adipose tissue, and brisket adipose tissue. Including fish oil in the diet increased most of the saturated fatty acids (P<0.01) and proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (P<0.06), and decreased (P<0.01) proportions of monounsaturated fatty acids. Dietary fish oil increased (P<0.01) levels of omega-3 fatty acids in sampled tissues, resulting in lower (P<0.01) omega-6:omega-3 ratios. The weight percentages of C20:5 and C22:6 in tissue may provide the recommended daily allowance for humans. Fish oil may have a role in beef niche marketing if there are no deleterious effects on consumer satisfaction.     

Fatty acid composition of adipose tissue and muscle from Jersey steers was affected by finishing diet and tissue location

To determine the impacts of finishing diet and tissue type and location on fatty acid composition and palatability of Jersey beef, twenty steers were assigned to a factorial treatment design with initial weight (Light vs. Heavy) and finishing diet (70 vs. 85% concentrate) as treatments. Ribeye steaks were collected for sensory evaluation. Muscle, seam and subcutaneous (s.c.) fat from steaks, kidney fat (KF) and omental fat (OMF) were collected for fatty acid analysis. Initial weight and finishing diet had little impact on beef palatability. The 85% concentrate decreased polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in muscle and increased trans fatty acids in all tissues (P < 0.05). The monounsaturated:saturated fatty acid ratio (MUFA:SFA) was highest in s.c. fat, intermediate in muscle and seam fat, and lowest in KF and OMF. The PUFA:SFA was highest in muscle, intermediate in s.c. and seam fat, and lowest in KF and OMF. Fatty acid composition differed greatly among tissues and the lower concentrate diet increased omega-3 and PUFA percentages in muscle.     

Dietary CLA alters intramuscular fat and fatty acid composition of pig skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue

The present study was conducted to determinate the responsiveness of different levels of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on intramuscular fat (IMF) and fatty acid composition of skeletal muscle and fat in pigs fed from 59.5 to 133.5 kg. Forty female Large White × (Large White × Landrace) pigs were used. Four levels (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%) of a commercial enriched CLA oil supplementation (60% of CLA isomers, 30% cis-9, trans-11 and 30% trans-10, cis-12) were fed to pigs. Carcass, ham, foreleg and loin weights were recorded. Dietary CLA enrichment increased the loin weight (P < 0.01) and the combined weights of hams + forelegs + loins (P < 0.02). IMF content in Longissimus dorsi was also increased by dietary CLA treatment (P < 0.001) and a linear response was observed. Dietary CLA increased saturated fatty acids (SFA) and decreased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in muscle and adipose tissue (P < 0.001). Feeding 1% CLA to finishing swine increases IMF in heavy pigs slaughtered at an average weight of 133.5 kg.     

Refractometry of pork muscle and beef connective and adipose tissue

Bulk refractive index (RI) was measured with an Abbe refractometer using a red laser for transmittance (T) and a green laser for reflectance. The critical angle, although obscured by scattering, was detected subjectively at the red-green boundary. The refractometer also was operated under computer control, detecting RI photometrically. Pork longissimus thoracis (n=20) had higher RI than biceps femoris (1.357±0.004 versus 1.352±0.005, respectively, P<0.001). Longissimus thoracis also had lower Japanese pork colour scores (JPCS) than biceps femoris (2.92±0.37 versus 3.87±0.48, respectively, P<0.001). In pooled samples (n=40), RI was correlated with JPCS, r=-0.55, P<0.001. RI of bovine tendon (n=10) was higher than for adipose tissue (1.415±0.009 versus 1.343±0.001, P<0.001). Refraction may contribute to the inverse relationship between meat pH and paleness, and may affect signals from fibre-optic meat probes.     

Diet and the lipid composition of adipose tissue in the young lamb

The changes in the lipid composition of the perirenal adipose tissue obtained from groups of lambs receiving either ewes' milk or a reconstituted low-fat milk powder have been studied during the first 8 days after birth. The triglycerides were further analysed by a stereospecific analytical procedure to obtain the intramolecular distribution of the fatty acids between the hydroxyl groups of the glycerol moeity. The percentage composition of the major lipid fractions in the perirenal adipose tissue from the naturally fed lambs remained similar to that of the adipose tissue obtained from the lambs at birth, but in the lambs receiving the artificial diet the relative concentration of the triglycerides was considerably reduced and that of the unesterified fatty acid and phospholipid fractions increased. At birth 18 :1 was the major fatty acid present in the triglyceride, unesterified fatty add and phospholipid fractions. Any polyunsaturated fatty acids were confined to the phospholipid fraction. Although there were negligible concentrations of the C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids, the C20 and C22 polyunsaturated fatty acids comprised some 20% of the fatty acids of the phospholipids. In the naturally fed lambs the concentration of 18: 2ω6 increased considerably during the 8 days after birth and there was a decrease in the concentration of 20 : 3ω9. In the artificially fed lambs the concentration of 20 : 3ω9 remained similar to that found at birth and there was no accumulation of 18 : 2ω6. In the triglycerides at birth 70–80% of 18 : 1-cis was in the 2-position and the saturated fatty acids were located mainly in the 1-and 3-positions. In both groups of lambs the concentration of 18 : 1-cis decreased and the concentration of 18 : 0 increased after birth. In the naturally fed lambs the increase in 18 : 0 occurred mainly in positions 1-and 3-but in the artificially fed lambs the concentration of 18 : 0 also markedly increased in position 2. The changes in concentration of 16 : 0 paralleled that of 18 : 0. In the naturally fed lambs the concentrations of 14:0, 18: 1-trans and 18 : 2ω6 which were probably of dietary origin increased considerably. 14 : 0 and 18 : 1 trans were concentrated largely in positions 1 and 3 whilst 18 : 2ω6 was concentrated mainly in position 2.     

Chlorinated residues in the adipose tissue of pigs treated with γ-hexachlorocyclohexane

Experiments were conducted to study the metabolic fate of γ-HCH used in pig husbandry, and to see if a relationship existed between its use and the occurrence of 1,4-dichlorobenzene and other chlorobenzenes in pork meat. Both oral administration and spray application of γ-HCH led to the rapid accumulation of γ-HCH and several metabolites in the adipose tissue. The following compounds were identified by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry: monochlorobenzene, 1,2-, 1,3- and 1,4-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,4,5-, 1,2,3,5- and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, γ-3,4,5,6-tetrachlorocyclohexene, γ-2,3,4,5,6-penta-chlorocyclohexene and α-hexachlorocyclohexane. Concentrations of residual γ-HCH and its metabolites were related to the amount of γ-HCH applied initially to the pigs. γ-HCH residues and the metabolites were monitored by biopsy and were found to be eliminated rapidly from the adipose tissue, such that pigs sprayed once with a dose 16 times greater than the recommended rate had a residual γHCH concentration, 30 days after treatment, no greater than that in untreated controls. The origin of 1,4-dichlorobenzene and other chlorobenzene compounds is discussed in relation to the low levels of these compounds often found in flavour extracts of pork meat.     

Fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue lipids in Wistar rats with fat diet-induced obesity

The influence of dietary fat on the fatty acid composition of liver and adipose tissue lipids was investigated after 4 and 19 weeks of high-fat feeding (50% fat) in comparison to low-fat feeding (3% fat), beginning in the sixth week of age. In rats fed the low-fat diet or an usual pellet diet the fatty pattern of liver triglycerides (TG) was equal to that of adipose tissue, while there were no similarities to the diet. In total liver lipids a constant fatty acid profile was observed, independently of the duration of feeding. High fat feeding results several changes in the fatty acid pattern of liver lipids. While after 4 weeks the fatty acids of liver TG more closely resembled the dietary fatty acids than those of adipose tissue, after 19 weeks of feeding the fatty acid composition of liver TG is comparable with that of adipose tissue. Not all rats fed the high fat diet rendered obese. It could be shown that in rats with higher lipid concentrations in the liver only the fatty acid pattern of liver phospholipids has been altered, while the composition of TG, which are the lipids primarily increased, was not changed.     

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.     

Cholesterol content of muscle and adipose tissue from crossbred bulls and steers

Cholesterol content (mg/100g wet weight) of muscle and adipose tissue from crossbred bulls (N = 34) and steers (N = 35) was determined by spectrophotometry. Sampling site effects were highly significant, with subcutaneous adipose tissue (101·7) and perinephric adipose tissue (89·7) containing the most cholesterol, and longissimus muscle (58·3) containing the least. Semitendinosus and triceps brachii muscles were similar in cholesterol content (63·9 mg/100g and 63·7 mg/100g, respectively). Although sex condition differences within sampling sites were non-significant, steer carcasses may have more total cholesterol than bull carcasses because steers contain a higher percentage of fat than bulls raised under similar conditions.     

Changes in fatty acid composition in muscle and adipose tissue of farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in relation to ration and age

To evaluate the importance of age and feed ration level (RL) on the composition of tissue fatty acid (FA) in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), fish were fed rations ranging from appreciable underfeeding to gross overfeeding in a longitudinal experiment lasting from start of feeding to onset of sexual maturation 2.4 years later. In order to study the effects of compensatory growth and reduced feed availability, fish were moved from high to low ration and vice versa. Changes of individual FA of total lipid (TL), triacylglycerols (TAG) and total phospholipids (PL) were studied in white and red muscle, as well as in three major adipose tissues. The effect of saltwater transfer on FA composition was also examined. A strong interdependence was found between the relative proportion of PL and TAG with changes in TL content. This was most prominent in white muscle. In parallel with this change in relative lipid class composition, a major effect was seen on FA in the TL fraction. The most marked effect of RL was an inverse relationship between 22:6 n-3 of the PUFA n-3 series and 16:1 and 18:1 of the MUFA series. This was seen in all tissues studied. It is suggested that the most important factor governing FA composition in muscle, pending changes in feed intake, is the TL content, affecting the relative level of PL and TAG. In adipose tissue, consisting mainly of TAG, more subtle changes were observed. The FA compositions of PL and TAG were not affected to any major extent by RL, except at extreme reductions. Significant changes in FA of PL and TAG were observed as an effect of saltwater transfer.     

Attachment of shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli to beef muscle and adipose tissue

Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) serotypes are important foodborne pathogens that cause gastrointestinal disease worldwide. An understanding of how STEC strains attach to surfaces may provide insight into the potential persistence of and contamination with STEC in food environments. The initial attachment of a selection of STEC serotypes to beef muscle and adipose tissue was evaluated for isolates grown in planktonic and sessile culture. Initial experiments were performed to determine whether attachment differed among STEC strains and between the two modes of growth. Viable counts were obtained for loosely and strongly attached cells, and the strength of attachment (Sr) was calculated. All bacterial isolates grown in sessile culture attached in higher numbers to muscle and adipose tissue than did bacteria in planktonic cultures. For all attachment assays performed, mean concentrations for loosely attached cells were consistently higher than concentrations for strongly attached cells. The mean concentrations for strongly attached bacteria for planktonic and sessile cultures were significantly higher (P < 0.05) on adipose than on muscle tissue. However, some strains of STEC, particularly those from sessile culture, did not differ in their attachment to muscle or adipose tissue. Sr values were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among STEC isolates for all assays. No correlation was found between bacterial hydrophobicity and surface charge values (previously determined) and production of surface structures, viable counts, and Sr values. STEC grown in planktonic and sessile culture seems to behave differently with respect to attachment to muscle and adipose tissue. Cells in sessile culture may have a greater potential to strongly attach to meat surfaces.     

Physical activity-induced alterations on tissue lipid composition and lipid metabolism in fattening pigs

In a first experiment one group of pigs was maintained in free-range conditions according to the traditional way in a Mediterranean forest (exercised-1) and another group was housed individually and received acorns (sedentary-1). In a second experiment two groups of pigs were fed a mixed diet for the whole experimental period. One of these groups was housed individually in 8 m² pens (sedentary-2). The other group was housed in a corridor and forced to walk daily (exercised-2).The subcutaneous fat and neutral lipids of muscle from the exercised pigs fed acorns had higher C18:1n-9, MUFA, C18:1/C18:0, MUFA/SAT and lower C16:0 and SAT when compared with the fat from the pigs fed acorns in confinement. Those exercised animals fed the mixed diet had also lower C16:0 and SAT in subcutaneous fat and lower SAT and higher C18:2, C18:3, PUFA and MUFA/SAT in neutral lipids when compared with the sedentary pigs, which may indicate that delta-9-desaturase activity was higher in exercised than in sedentary pigs. Exercised pigs had higher acid and neutral esterases and lower neutral lipase activity than sedentary pigs. No differences in the α-tocopherol concentration and TBARS values of meat samples among the pigs that received a mixed diet either exercised or sedentary were observed. The moderate exercise reduced the postprandrial concentrations of triglycerides in plasma, but did not reduce other plasma levels.     

Influence of dietary vitamin E and selenium on muscle fatty acid composition in pigs

A total of 28 female pigs were fed a basal diet containing a low amount of α-tocopherol (10.3 mg/kg; control), and diets supplemented with 0.3 mg selenium/kg (group Se) or with 200 mg α-tocopherol/kg (group V) at the growing-finishing period. Increasing dietary level of vitamin E resulted in higher concentration of α-tocopherol in plasma and muscle immediately after slaughter and 4 h later (P⩽0.05). The fatty acid composition of muscle microsomes and mitochondria was slightly affected by the diet. Corresponding to the minor changes of the membrane fatty acid composition the fluidity was unaffected by the diet. A positive relationship was observed between the resistance to in vitro stimulation of peroxidation and the vitamin E content of the muscle samples. Supplementation with selenium did not reduce the lipid oxidation after stimulation. In conclusion, even though the effect was minor, vitamin E improved the antioxidative status in pork.     

不同品种猪背最长肌肌苷酸含量及相关基因表达的比较

以安徽地方品种圩猪、安庆六白猪以及国外瘦肉型品种长白猪为研究对象,采用高效液相色谱法测定3种猪背最长肌肌苷酸(IMP)含量。利用家畜或家禽中已鉴定的影响肉质性状的QTLs信息与猪的基因组比对,得到可能与猪肉质相关的目的基因:ADSL与GARS-AIRS-GART基因。定量PCR法比较影响肌苷酸含量的ADSL与GARS-AIRS-GART基因mRNA在肝脏、心脏和背最长肌组织中的表达水平,并研究2种基因在不同猪种中的表达量与IMP含量的相关性。结果表明:长白猪的背最长肌肌苷酸含量高于圩猪和六白猪。ADSL mRNA在3种猪的表达模式均表现为背最长肌中最高,心脏次之,肝脏最低的趋势。而GARS-AIRS-GART mRNA的表达模式为背最长肌最高,肝脏次之,心脏最低的趋势。ADSL mRNA在长白猪肝脏的表达量,GARS-AIRS-GART mRNA在圩猪肝脏和六白猪心脏的表达量均与IMP含量显著负相关。     

Feeding linseed to increase the n-3 PUFA of pork: fatty acid composition of muscle, adipose tissue, liver and sausages

Eighty pigs, male and female littermate pairs, were fed a control or a test diet from 25 to 95 kg live weight. The diets, as fed, contained 15.5 g/kg linoleic acid (18:2) and 1.9 g/kg α-linolenic acid (18:3) (control) or 10 g/kg linoleic acid and 4 g/kg α-linolenic acid (test). The test diet, with added linseed, was, therefore, high in the main n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) 18:3 and low in the main n-6 PUFA 18:2. Making this relatively small change led to a 56% increase in the content of 18:3 in muscle and major increases in the contents of the beneficial longer chain PUFAs EPA (20:5n-3) (100% increase) and DHA (22:6n-3) (35% increase) which are synthesised from 18:3n-3. Levels of EPA and DHA in pigmeat adipose tissue were also increased by the test diet. In liver, the test diet resulted in an 18:3 level 4× higher than in muscle, with 10× more EPA and 20× more DHA. Sausages, analysed after 6 months frozen storage also had high n-3 PUFA levels, due to the contribution of these fatty acids from both muscle and adipose tissue. From a health perspective these results confirm the potential of pigmeat to supply valuable n-3 PUFA to the human diet. The test diet produced a PUFA:saturated FA ratio in muscle of 0.4, close to the minimum recommended value for the diet as a whole and an n-6:n-3 ratio of 5, a significant improvement on the current average for pigmeat (7). It is estimated that the test diet would provide 12 g of long chain n-3 PUFA to the human diet per annum at current pigmeat consumption levels in the UK, about a third of that from oily fish.     

Quality of pig adipose tissue: relationship between solid fat content and lipid composition

The dependence of solid fat content at 20°C of adipose tissues on their fatty acid and triacylglycerol compositions was studied on lipids extracted from tissues from 166 pigs. The solid fat content (SFC20) was 20% on average but varied widely (9-35%). The SFC20 variability was closely related to the proportions of disaturated triacylglycerols and more specifically to palmitoyl-stearoyl-oleoyl-glycerol (R(2)=0.92). The SFC20 variability was also related to the proportions of the saturated fatty acids, palmitic and stearic acids (R(2)=0.94). The part of the variance of SFC20 explained by the proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids was lower (R(2)=0.48). The iodine value showed a high correlation with SFC20 (R(2)=0.81) but carcass lean content was a poor indicator of the solid fat content of adipose tissues (R(2)=0.06).