Effect of an elevated monounsaturated fat diet on pork carcass and meat quality traits and tissue fatty acid composition from York-crossed barrows and gilts

Fifty-seven York-crossed barrows and gilts were fed either a grain and soy diet (CONTROL with 28% C18:1) or a similar diet enriched with oleic acid (HO with 43% C18:1, Greedy-Grass OLIVA®). There were no interactions between dietary treatment and gender and there were no differences in intramuscular and subcutaneous fatty acid composition between sexes (P > 0.05). Similar primal cut yields, composition of major primal cuts, and carcass and meat quality characteristics were found for HO and CONTROL fed pigs. Apart from a few significant but small differences for some fatty acids, intramuscular fatty acid composition was similar for both dietary treatments. Subcutaneous fat from HO fed pigs had a 6.9% increase in total monounsaturated fatty acids and a 9.3% reduction in total polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.05) compared with CONTROL fed animals, without adversely affecting carcass quality and producing suitable hams for processing by the meat industry.     

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid in combination with monounsaturated fatty acids on the meat composition and quality traits of dry-cured loin

Three levels (0%, 1% and 2%) of an enriched conjugated linoleic acid oil (CLA) were combined with two levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (low −19% average and high −39% average) for pig feeding. Composition, weight losses, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid test, TBARs), change in the fatty acid content of the lipid fractions and sensory analysis of dry-cured loin as affected by dietary CLA, MUFA and CLA × MUFA interaction were studied. CLA and CLA × MUFA did not affect moisture and intramuscular fat content of dry-cured loin, weight losses during the processing, changes in the content of most fatty acids from lipid fractions and sensory traits. CLA and MUFA supplementation led to lower TBARs values (1.3 mg MDA/kg sample for 0% CLA and 0.9 mg MDA/kg sample for 2% CLA; 1.2 mg MDA/kg sample for low MUFA diets and 0.9 mg MDA/kg sample for high MUFA diets), the highest TBARs values being detected for 0% CLA-low MUFA diets [1.5 mg MDA/kg sample]. The combination of dietary CLA with different MUFA levels in pig diets did not affect most composition and quality traits of dry-cured loin. Dietary CLA and MUFA seemed to lead to lower lipid oxidation in this product.     

Liver pâté from pigs fed conjugated linoleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids

Three levels (0, 1 and 2%) of an enriched conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) oil (28% cis-9, trans-11 and 28% trans-10, cis-12 CLA) were combined with two levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) (low: 19% average and high: 39% average) for pig feeding. Experimental liver patés were produced using the meat and liver of pigs. Chemical composition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) and fatty acid composition of the neutral lipids (NL), polar lipids (PL) and free fatty acids (FFAs) fractions of liver paté at 0, 30 and 200 days of storage were studied. In general, the storage of liver paté throughout the 200 days did not lead to relevant changes in the content of total saturated fatty acids (SFA), MUFA and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of NL and PL as a consequence of the assayed dietary treatment. Total SFA, MUFA, PUFA, cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA contents from FFA significantly decreased in patés from pigs fed 2% CLA at 200 days of storage, regardless the MUFA treatment. Both at the beginning and at the end of storage, the TBARs were higher for 0% CLA patés compared to 1 and 2% CLA patés. Both at day 0 and day 30 of storage, the TBARs’ values for 2% CLA patés were higher than those for 1% CLA patés. Therefore, dietary CLA at levels lower than 2% could show a protective effect in paté against lipid oxidation, but the susceptibility to lipid oxidation could be increased at higher levels of CLA supplementation.     

Association between polymorphisms of the heart fatty acid binding protein gene and intramuscular fat content,fatty acid composition,and meat quality in Berkshire breed

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between polymorphisms of the heart fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) gene and variation in intramuscular fat (IMF) content, fatty acid composition, and meat quality in Berkshire breed. We detected an association between IMF content and H-FABP HinfI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) genotype. The HH genotype showed the greatest IMF content among the genotype classes (P < 0.05). Regarding meat quality traits, only drip loss was significantly different among the H-FABP HinfI RFLP genotype classes (P < 0.01). In the case of fatty acid composition, the degree of saturation of fatty acids was greater in hh-genotype pigs than in HH and Hh genotypes. The H-FABP MspI RFLP genotype affected unsaturated fatty acid content, and the ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid (P < 0.05), whereas the H-FABP HaeIII RFLP genotype had no effect on fatty acid characteristics.     

肌内脂肪与背最长肌肉质、脂肪酸组成的关系

研究肌内脂肪（IMF）含量与肉质以及脂肪酸含量和组成比例之间的关系。以北京黑猪背最长肌（n=20）为实验材料,测定肌内脂肪含量、肉质以及脂肪酸含量和组成。结果显示,肌内脂肪含量与滴水损失呈显著正相关（p<0.05）,与蒸煮损失、剪切力、肉色的相关性不显著（p>0.05）。随着肌内脂肪含量升高,除长链多不饱和脂肪酸(C_20:3n6、C_20:4n6)以外的大多数脂肪酸含量增加,相对比例也上升;多不饱和脂肪酸的含量增加,但是相对比例下降;长链多不饱和脂肪酸的含量和相对比例都降低。随着肌内脂肪含量的升高,饱和脂肪酸（SFA）和单不饱和脂肪酸（MUFA）的含量升高,回归方程斜率分别为197.3和248.31,多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA）增加的幅度不大,回归方程的斜率为11.43。结果提示:肌内脂肪含量较低时（本实验平均值2.86%）,对肉质的影响不显著。随着肌内脂肪含量升高,总脂肪酸含量（TFA）增加,主要归因于SFA和MUFA含量的增加。PUFA的含量相对稳定,受肌内脂肪含量变化的影响较小。      

Carcass characteristics, fatty acid composition, and meat quality of Criollo Argentino and Braford steers raised on forage in a semi-tropical region of Argentina

The purpose of this study was to characterize and compare the carcass characteristics, cholesterol concentration, fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat and subcutaneous fat, and meat quality of Criollo Argentino and Braford steers reared in an extensive system, without supplementation, and slaughtered at approximately 400 kg live weight. The Braford steers had greater (P < 0.05) carcass weight, yield, conformation score, marbling degree, fat thickness and fatness score than Criollo Argentino steers. The tissue composition of the 10th rib was: 68.1% vs. 63.6% muscle, 23.9% vs. 20.4% bone and 8.2% vs. 16.3% fat for the Criollo Argentino and Braford breeds, respectively. The meat of Longissimus muscle from Braford steers was lighter, redder, yellower and more tender than that from Criollo Argentino steers. The meat of Longissimus muscle from Braford steers had a higher fat content, similar protein and ash contents and a lower (P ? 0.001) cholesterol concentration than that from Criollo Argentino steers.     

Effects of low protein diets on pigs with a lean genotype. 1. Carcass composition measured by dissection and muscle fatty acid composition

Pigs with a lean genotype were fed diets differing in protein and amino acid contents between 40 and 115 kg live weight. A high protein control regime (C) was compared with one supplying 11% less total protein but the same essential amino acid levels (LP1) and one supplying 16% less protein but lower amino acid levels (LP2). Regime LP2 produced fatter pigs in terms of subcutaneous, intermuscular and intramuscular fat (IMF), the latter measured in longissimus and semimembranosus muscles. The percentage of linoleic acid was lowest and that of oleic acid highest in IMF from LP2 pigs (11.57 and 34.59% respectively in longissimus). Pigs in regime LP1 had more longissimus IMF than C but similar semimembranosus IMF although both muscles had lower percentages of linoleic acid in LP1 than C, suggesting a tendency towards greater fat deposition in LP1. The high IMF content in LP2 produced the most tender, juicy steaks.     

Volatile compounds of fresh and dry-cured loin as affected by dietary conjugated linoleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids

Three levels (0%, 1% and 2%) of an enriched conjugated linoleic acid oil (CLA) were combined with two levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (low (19%) average and high (39%) average) for pig feeding. The profile of volatile compounds of fresh and dry-cured loin as affected by dietary CLA, MUFA and CLA × MUFA interaction was studied by headspace-solid phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. A total of 27 and 69 compounds were identified in fresh loin and dry-cured loin, respectively. Identified compounds were alcohols, aldehydes, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, esters, furans, ketones, nitrogen compounds, sulphur compounds and terpenes. No qualitative differences in volatile compounds caused by the assayed treatments were found neither in fresh loin nor in dry-cured loin. Dietary CLA, MUFA and their interaction did not affect the level of most detected volatiles. Nevertheless, in fresh loin, the level of heptanal significantly increased due to dietary CLA (p = 0.001) and the area units (AU) for ethyl benzene and 1,3-dimethyl benzene increased at 1% CLA (p < 0.05). In the case of dry-cured loin, the AU of heptanal, nonanal and 2-nonenal contents increased due to dietary CLA (p = 0.016, 0.024 and 0.019, respectively).     

Fatty acid composition and oxidative susceptibility of fresh loin and liver from pigs fed conjugated linoleic acid in combination with monounsaturated fatty acids

Three levels (0%, 1% and 2%) of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were combined with two levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (low: 19% and high: 39%) for pig feeding. The fatty acid profile of neutral lipids (NL) and polar lipids (PL) of loin and liver and their oxidative susceptibility were studied. A dose-dependent enrichment in cis-9, trans-11 CLA and trans-10, cis-12 CLA in NL and PL of loin and liver was obtained. This effect was independent of the MUFA supplementation (except for NL of loin in which the CLA accumulation was higher at high MUFA levels). Regardless of the MUFA supplementation, dietary CLA increased the ratio of saturated fatty acids (SFA) to unsaturated fatty acids in both tissues and lipid fractions. The interaction between CLA and MUFA affected the SFA and polyunsaturated fatty acids contents of PL from loin. Regardless of the MUFA level of the diets, CLA supplementation decreased the induced peroxidation values in liver and did not change those of loin.     

Effect of source of dietary fat on pig performance,carcass characteristics and carcass fat content,distribution and fatty acid composition

Seventy gilts were used to compare the effect of including 10% tallow (T), high-oleic sunflower oil (HOSF), sunflower oil (SFO), linseed oil (LO), a fat blend (FB), or an oil blend (OB) in finishing diets vs. feeding a semi-synthetic diet with no added fat (NF) on pig performance, carcass traits and carcass fatty acid (FA) composition. Carcasses from SFO-fed gilts had greater fat and lower lean compositions than carcasses from T-fed gilts. Gilts fed NF had greater loin fat than FB-fed gilts, and greater flare fat, loin intermuscular fat and fat:lean than T-fed gilts. Bellies from NF-fed gilts had lower lean and higher intermuscular fat and fat:lean than other diets except HOSF. Fat source had minor effects on animal performance, carcass characteristics and carcass fat content and distribution, whereas feeding NF resulted in carcasses and major cuts with higher fat content. Diets rich in polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) did not reduce fat deposition in separable fat depots with respect to monounsaturated FA (MUFA) and saturated FA (SFA). Carcasses from gilts fed NF had a high degree of saturation (40.6% SFA) followed by carcasses of T- and FB-fed gilts. Feeding HOSF, SFO and LO enriched diets elevated the percentages of MUFA (56.7%), n−6 (30.0%) and n−3 (16.6%) PUFA, respectively, whereas carcasses from gilts fed OB had greater percentages of n−3 FA (14.8% n−3, 0.9% EPA, 1.0% DPA, 3.1% DHA) than gilts fed FB (6.72% n−3, 0.1% EPA, 0.4% DPA, 0.1% DHA).     

Oxidative changes of fresh loin from pig,caused by dietary conjugated linoleic acid and monounsaturated fatty acids,during refrigerated storage

Three levels (0%, 1% and 2%) of a conjugated linoleic acid enriched oil (CLA) were combined with two levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (19% and 39% average) for pig feeding. Changes in instrumental colour, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) and volatile profile of fresh loin chops, as affected by dietary CLA, MUFA and CLA × MUFA, were studied throughout 7 days of refrigerated storage. Lightness (L∗) evolution was conditioned by dietary CLA, whereas changes in redness (a∗) and yellowness (b∗) were unaffected by dietary supplements. Dietary CLA at 2% led to higher TBARS values of loin chops at day 7 of refrigerated storage (p < 0.05), while MUFA supplementation and CLA × MUFA interaction did not affect lipid oxidation. Dietary CLA, MUFA or CLA × MUFA did not affect most volatile compounds of loin chops after 7 days of storage.     

Effects of previous diet and duration of soybean oil supplementation on light lambs carcass composition, meat quality and fatty acid composition

Forty Merino Branco ram lambs were used to study the effects of initial diet and duration of supplementation with a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) promoting diet, on carcass composition, meat quality and fatty acid composition of intramuscular fat. The experimental period was 6 weeks. The experimental design involved 2 initial diets (commercial concentrate (C); dehydrated lucerne (L)), and 2 finishing periods (2 and 4 weeks) on dehydrated lucerne plus 10% soybean oil (O). Data were analysed as a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with initial diet and time on finishing (CLA promoting) diet as the main factors. The lambs were randomly assigned to four groups: CCO; COO; LLO; LOO according to the lamb’s diet fed in each period.Lambs initially fed with concentrate showed higher hot carcass weights (11.2 vs 9.6 kg) than lambs fed initially with lucerne. The increase of the duration of finishing period reduced the carcass muscle percentage (57.4% vs 55.5%) and increased the subcutaneous fat percentage (5.67% vs 7.03%). Meat colour was affected by initial diet. Lambs initially fed with concentrate showed a lower proportion of CLA (18:2cis-9, trans-11 isomer) (0.98% vs 1.38% of total fatty acids) and most of n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids than lambs initially fed with lucerne. Initial diet did not compromise the response to the CLA-promoting diet and the proportion of 18:2cis-9, trans-11 in intramuscular fat increased with the duration of time on the CLA-promoting diet (1.02% vs 1.34% of total fatty acids).     

Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid in combination with monounsaturated fatty acids on the composition and quality traits of cooked loin

Three levels (0%, 1% and 2%) of a conjugated linoleic acid oil (CLA) were combined with two levels of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (low – 19% average and high – 39% average) for pig feeding (n = 48, eight animals per treatment). The composition and quality traits (fat content, cooking losses, lipid oxidation, fatty acid profile, volatile profile and sensory analysis) of cooked loin, as affected by dietary CLA, MUFA, and CLA × MUFA interaction were studied. CLA and CLA × MUFA did not affect the intramuscular fat content, cooking losses, lipid oxidation, volatile profile and sensory traits of cooked meat. Therefore, CLA could be supplemented to the pig diet without detriment of the measured quality traits of cooked meat, and regardless of the MUFA level of pig diets. Dietary CLA increased the content of SFA and decreased the level of MUFA of meat, and led to a CLA enrichment, regardless the MUFA level of pig diets, but the content of CLA isomers of fresh meat decreased after the cooking process.     

Effect of a high dose of CLA in finishing pig diets on fat deposition and fatty acid composition in intramuscular fat and other fat depots

Sixteen gilts were fed a control (4% of sunflower oil) or an experimental diet (4% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) oil). CLA had no effect on intramuscular fat (IMF) content neither in longissimus thoracis (LT) nor in semimembranosus (SM) muscles but increased liver weight, reduced perirenal fat and tended to reduce backfat between the last 3th–4th lumbar vertebrae. Despite the fact that 9c,11t and 10t,12c CLA isomers were included in the same proportion in the diet, the 9c,11t and 9c,11c were the isomers more deposited in all tissues. Addition of CLA in the diet affected fatty acid composition in a tissue specific manner, increasing percentages of SFA in all tissues, reducing percentages of MUFA in LT and LT subcutaneous fat, and of PUFA in LT subcutaneous fat, liver and SM. The FA modification by dietary CLA in LT IMF was reflected in the different lipid fractions, SFA and MUFA mainly in the neutral lipid fraction, and PUFA in the polar fraction.     

Genetic parameters for meat and fat quality and carcass composition traits in Iberian pigs

Carcass composition and quality traits were measured in heavy Iberian pigs after extensive handling. The weights of trimmed hams, forelegs and loins were recorded on 2170–2553 pigs, intramuscular fat content in M. longissimus (IMF) on 1489 and percentages of palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids in the subcutaneous fat on 1495 pigs, slaughtered at about 160 kg live weight. For carcass traits the heritability estimates ranged from 0.28 to 0.41. Heritability estimate for IMF was 0.25 and estimates of heritability for the measured fatty acids ranged from 0.29 to 0.41. The estimated genetic correlations (rg) suggest antagonism between IMF and weights of hams (rg=−0.30) and loins (rg=−0.33) and an unfavourable positive association of premium cuts with linoleic acid content (rg: 0.31–0.57). The incorporation of meat and fat quality traits to the selection aims of the breeding scheme for Iberian pigs seems advisable.     

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.     

Predicting beef cuts composition,fatty acids and meat quality characteristics by spiral computed tomography

The potential of X-ray computed tomography (CT) as a predictor of cuts composition and meat quality traits using a multivariate calibration method (partial least square regression, PLSR) was investigated in beef cattle. Sirloins from 88 crossbred Aberdeen Angus (AAx) and 106 Limousin (LIMx) cattle were scanned using spiral CT. Subsequently, they were dissected and analyzed for technological and sensory parameters, as well as for intramuscular fat (IMF) content and fatty acid composition. CT-PLSR calibrations, tested by cross-validation, were able to predict with high accuracy the subcutaneous fat (R², RMSECV = 0.94, 34.60 g and 0.92, 34.46 g), intermuscular fat (R², RMSECV = 0.81, 161.54 g and 0.86, 42.16 g), total fat (R², RMSECV = 0.89, 65.96 g and 0.93, 48.35 g) and muscle content (R², RMSECV = 0.99, 58.55 g and 0.97, 57.45 g) in AAx and LIMx samples, respectively. Accurate CT predictions were found for fatty acid profile (R² = 0.61–0.75) and intramuscular fat content (R² = 0.71–0.76) in both sire breeds. However, low to very low accuracies were obtained for technological and sensory traits with R² ranged from 0.01 to 0.26. The image analysis evaluated provides the basis for an alternative approach to deliver very accurate predictions of cuts composition, IMF content and fatty acid profile with lower costs than the reference methods (dissection, chemical analysis), without damaging or depreciating the beef cuts.     

Carcass and meat quality characteristics of immunocastrated male,surgically castrated male,entire male and female pigs

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of immunocastration on meat and carcass quality compared with meat from females, entire and surgically castrated males. One hundred and eighteen (Landrace × Duroc) × Pietrain crossbred pigs were assigned to four experimental groups: entire males (EM), females (FE), surgically castrated males (CM) and vaccinated males (IM). Pigs were reared in two pens per sex and slaughtered at an average of 180 days of age. Carcass and meat quality characteristics such as testis size and length, fat depth, lean content, proportion of the carcass represented by each joint, pH, colour and intramuscular fat were evaluated. There was a significant reduction in the size of these sexual organs in IM compared with EM. CM and IM were fatter than FE and EM in the loin area but, in the ham area, CM was the fattest and EM the leanest, while IM and FE were in between. Intramuscular fat of IM (2.1%) was no different from the other sexes evaluated, although it was higher in CM (2.5%) with respect to FE (1.7%) and EM (1.8%). There was no difference between the IM and other treatment groups in meat quality. Regarding ours results we can conclude that from the point of view of meat and carcass quality the immunocastration could be a good alternative to the surgical castration.     

Effect of protein level in commercial diets on pork meat quality

This study assessed the effect of protein level on meat quality, intramuscular and subcutaneous fat, instrumental texture and sensory attributes on Longissimus dorsi in pork. Animals were fed two experimental diets that produced two animal groups with different percentages of intramuscular fat (IMF) (1.76 vs. 2.63). There were no significant differences in meat quality or texture profile analysis parameters between IMF groups. The percentage of saturated fatty acids was also similar, but the percentage of monounsaturated was significantly higher in the group with higher IMF and the percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids was higher in the group with lower IMF. IMF groups had little effect on the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous fat. Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) values were significantly higher in the group with lower IMF, whereas tenderness was higher in the group with higher IMF. Finally, WBSF appeared to be a good predictor of the tenderness for grill-cooked pork.     

Changes in fatty acid composition and improved sensory quality of backfat and meat of pigs fed bacterial protein meal

A total of 48 pigs (11.4 and 107.2 kg initial and final weight) were used to evaluate increasing dietary levels of bacterial protein meal (BPM) produced on natural gas (0, 50, 100, or 150 g kg⁻¹) on fatty acid composition, sensory properties, and susceptibility of pork to lipid oxidation. Increasing levels of BPM to diets increased the content of C16:1 fatty acids in backfat and muscle and total monounsaturated fatty acids in muscle, but decreased the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids and iodine value in backfat and muscle. Pigs fed diets containing BPM had reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value in backfat and muscle, reduced intensity of odor and rancid odor and taste in pork after short-time storage, and reduced off-odor and off-taste after intermediate-time storage. To conclude, adding BPM to diets for pigs changed the fatty acid profile, improved the oxidative stability, and sensory quality of pork.