Prediction of the feeding background of Iberian pigs using the fatty acid profile of subcutaneous, muscle and hepatic fat

Thirty Iberian pigs weighing 95 kg were randomly distributed into three groups of 10 animals each and fattened in three traditional management systems ['montanera' (MO), fed extensively on acorns, 'cebo' (CE) fed on a commercial diet and 'recebo' (RE), fed on acorns and a commercial diet]. Fatty acids from the Masseter muscle, lard and liver were analysed. In the lard, fatty acid profiles from MO and RE pigs presented minor differences; however, in the liver, RE pigs showed differences to MO pigs in most of the fatty acids studied. This suggests that the muscle and especially the liver fatty acid profile reflects the feeding regime during the last phase of feeding, while the lard reflects longer term differences.     

Effect of duration of feeding under free-range conditions on production results and carcass and fat quality in Iberian pigs

This experiment was undertaken to provide information on the effect of feeding system applied during the finishing period (100-150kg) on the quality of Iberian pig meat. Four feeding systems were applied: pigs fed under free-range conditions with acorns and grass fully available during 111 days (FR(111)), pigs fed concentrate diet in confinement during 28 days and free-range with acorns and grass fully available during 83 days (CDC(28)+FR(83)), pigs fed concentrate diet in confinement during 65 days and free-range with acorns and grass fully available during 46 days (CDC(65)+FR(46)) and pigs fed concentrate diet in confinement with a feed average daily amount of 3.1kg during 111 days (CDC(111)). The CDC(111) pigs had more muscular carcasses characteristics than the remaining groups of pigs. However, the higher concentration of C18:1 n-9 in subcutaneous backfat was found in FR(111) pigs. In the neutral lipids from intramuscular fat of Longissimus dorsi only the C18:2 n-6 and C18:3 n-3 proportions were affected by feeding system, and the n-6/n-3 ratio observed was lower in FR(111) and CDC(28)+FR(83) pigs than in CDC(111) pigs. In the neutral lipids from hepatic fat the proportion of n-6 fatty acids was lower in FR(111) pigs than in CDC(65)+FR(46) and CDC(111) pigs.     

Feeding Iberian pigs with acorns and grass in either free-range or confinement affects the carcass characteristics and fatty acids and tocopherols accumulation in Longissimus dorsi muscle and backfat

The experiment was undertaken to provide information on the influence of grass intake in a high fat diet based on acorns, in either free-range or confinement, on the carcass yield and characteristics, and on the accumulation of fatty acids and tocopherols. Groups raised free-range or with acorns and grass in confinement had the highest total backfat. Grass addition to the feed did not significantly modify the carcass weight and cut yield. However, outdoor raising produced lower carcass weights and yield, Longissimus dorsi muscle and ham weights than those fed the formulated diet or acorns and grass in confinement. Neither grass intake nor outdoor rearing did modify significantly the proportion of saturated fatty acids of the backfat. However, a lower proportion of saturated fatty acids was found in the intramuscular neutral lipids from pigs fed outdoors. Pigs reared free-range had significantly (P=0.0001) higher proportions of C18:1n-9 in the inner layer and in the intramuscular neutral lipids than the other groups. The grass intake significantly (P=0.0001) increased the proportion of C18:3n-3 in the inner and outer fat layers and intramuscular neutral lipids, while the outdoor rearing system not only affected on the proportion of linolenic acid but also C22:5 and C22:6 of the inner backfat layer and intramuscular polar lipids. These results suggest that the outdoor rearing allows a higher accumulation of n-3 fatty acids maybe due to an increased activity of the desaturase and elongase enzymes. On the other hand, the accumulation of tocopherols was not significantly modified neither by the grass intake nor the outdoor rearing, while differences were detected by the type of feeding (diet vs. acorns/acorns and grass). It is concluded, that the outdoor rearing system affects the nutritional value of meat, mainly by improving the fatty acid composition.     

Volatile compounds of dry hams from Iberian pigs

A study on volatile compounds from three batches of dry hams from Iberian pigs ('montanera', fed on acorns and pasture; 'recebo', fed on acorns, pasture and a commercial diet; and 'pienso', fed on a commercial diet) has been made. Over 64 compounds were identified in the headspace volatiles from all three batches, including aldehydes, alcohols, short-chain fatty acids, furan derivatives, lactones and other miscellaneous compounds. Significant differences were found between batches at several levels (P<0·0005, P<0·005, P<0·05) for many volatile compounds, mainly between 'montanera' and 'pienso' batches. Overall quantitative differences, but not qualitative ones, were observed between batches.     

Fatty acids and triacylglycerols profiles from different types of Iberian dry-cured hams

Thirty hams were allotted into four groups according to fattening diet ("Montanera" - acorns and pasture; and "Pienso" - concentrated diet) and genotype of pigs (Iberian and Iberian×Duroc pigs). Total lipids, triacylglycerol composition and fatty acids from neutral lipids fraction were measured in biceps femoris muscle. Fattening diet largely affected lipid composition of hams. Total intramuscular lipids and triacylglycerols content were higher in Montanera hams than in Pienso hams. In Montanera hams, triacylglycerols contained more oleic acid (C18:1) and less stearic (C18:0) and palmitic (C16:0) acids (p<0.001) and accordingly less PSO, PPL, PPO, PPS, SSO (p<0.001) and more OLL, OOL, OOO triacylglycerols compared to Pienso hams (p<0.001). Genotype of pigs has an important effect in triacylglycerols composition but only a limited effect on their fatty acids composition. So, Iberian hams contained more of PLLn, PLL, POLn and POL+SLL compared to Iberian×Duroc hams (p<0.001) and POO and SOO were present in a higher quantity in Iberian×Duroc hams (p<0.01).     

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.     

The effect of energy-rich and energy-reduced rations with n-alkane yeast portions on the fatty acid composition of selected organ lipids in swine

In 3 test groups (11 pigs in each group) rations with identical fatty acid patterns (except C 17 acids) at high, medium and low-energy levels of the rations were fed. The fatty acid composition of the lipids of liver, heart and brain was analyzed at the end of the experiments. A correlation was found to exist between energy and fatty acid intake and the fatty acid spectrum of the organ lipids. With identical intake of odd-numbered fatty acids, an energy-rich diet leads to a reduction of odd-numbered fatty acids in the heart and liver lipids. A reduced energy concentration causes an increase of odd-numbered fatty acids in liver and heart. Under energy-rich and energy-reduced feeding, C 15 and C 19 acids can be traced in the hepatic lipids. In liver, heart and brain, an energy-rich diet results in increased contents of eicosapentaene and eicosahexaene acid. Under low-energy diet, a reduction of these fatty acids can be found in the brain.     

Sensitivity of pig genotypes to short-term manipulation of plasma fatty acids by feeding linseed

The sensitivity of pigs selected for high daily food intake (DFI), low lean food conversion (LFC) and high lean growth rate (LGS) to dietary change of plasma fatty acids was assessed. The difference between the two diets was effectively a substitution of palmitic (C16:0), oleic (C18:1 n-9) and linoleic (C18:2 n-6) with linolenic (C18:3 n-3) fatty acids. Fatty acid compositions of plasma free fatty acids, neutral lipids and phospholipids were measured in 90 kg animals fed a base or high linolenic (C18:3 n-3) fatty acid diet, based on whole linseed, for four days. There were 24 animals from each selection line and 24 animals from an unselected control line, with boars and gilts represented equally in each line. Half of the selection line animals were fed the base diet and half were fed the high C18:3 diet, but all control animals were fed the base diet. Prior to slaughter, animals were fasted for 18 h. The fatty acids primarily affected by dietary change were C18:3 n-3 and its products, C20:5 n-3 (EPA) and C22:6 n-3 (DHA). The sensitivity of a selection line to dietary change was parameterised by the relative shift in fatty acid composition through changing from the base diet to the high C18:3 diet. In neutral lipids, the sensitivities of C18:3 n-3 in the DFI and LFC lines were similar but greater than in the LGS line (3.0 v. 1.8, S.E.D. 0.15), while, for phospholipid and free fatty acids, the sensitivity of the DFI line was greater than in the LFC and LGS lines (2.3 v. 1.8 and 2.0 v. 1.4, respectively). For C20:5 n-3 and C22:6 n-3, the DFI and LFC lines were more sensitive to dietary change than the LGS line (total lipid : 2.3 v. 1.9 and 1.5 v. 1.2). In general, the DFI line was most sensitive to dietary change and the LGS line was the least sensitive. The difference in sensitivities of the lipid classes to the high C18:3 diet between the selection lines could result from differences in body fat content and may explain the general lack of genotype with nutrition interactions in post-1990 genotypes in comparison with fatter circa-1970 genotypes.     

Fatty acids of meat lipids from young red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Fatty acids of the triglyceride and phospholipid fractions of muscle fat from young male red deer (Cervus elaphus) from three nutritional environments are reported. In both the triglyceride and phospholipid fractions differences in fatty acid patterns were observed between the three groups of deer which appear to reflect their diet.     

Effect of mediterranean forest parasite with Curculio sp. on nutritional value of acorn for Iberian pig feeding and fat characteristics

Sixteen Iberian barrows of the same age with an average initial live weight of 100.1kg were randomly distributed in two groups of eight pigs each. One group was fed healthy acorns and the other group received acorns infested of Curculio sp. The subcutaneous backfat from pigs fed healthy acorns had higher C18:1n-9, MUFA and C20:5n-3 and lower C18:0 and SFA proportions than that from the pigs fed acorns infested with Curculio. The consumption of acorns infested with Curculio sp. led to a reduction of C18:1n-9, MUFA, C18:2n-6, C18:3n-3, C22:5n-3 and PUFA proportions in neutral lipids from Longissimus dorsi muscle with respect to consumption of healthy acorns, whereas in polar lipids it produced a reduction in C18:1n-9, MUFA and C18:4n-3 proportions and an increase in C18:2n-6, C20:4n-6, n-6 and C20:5n-3 proportions and of n-6/n-3 ratio with respect to the healthy acorns consumption. The pigs fed healthy acorns had higher intramuscular fat percentage in Longissimus dorsi than pigs fed with acorns infested with Curculio (9.95 vs 7.09% SEM=0.60).     

Functional Characteristics, Fatty Acid Composition, and Palatability of Bacon from Pigs Fed Canola

Thirty-six pigs were fed diets containing 20% intact canola (IC), 20% ground canola (GC) or 0% canola (C). Processing yields and proximate composition of bacon were not affected by diet. Bacon from pigs fed GC had less saturated fatty acids and more monounsaturated fatty acids than bacon from pigs fed the IC or C diets. Bacon from pigs fed the C diet had less polyunsaturated fatty acids than bacon from pigs fed the IC or GC diets. Palatability of bacon from C, IC or GC treatments after 0 or 4 weeks storage was not different. After 8 weeks of storage, panelists tended to prefer control bacon over bacon from pigs fed the GC diet. Bacon from pigs fed the GC diet had higher 2-thiobarbituric acid values than bacon from pigs fed the IC or C diets.     

Effects of feeding tuna oil on the lipid composition of pig spermatozoa and in vitro characteristics of semen

The aim of the present study was to characterize the effects of feeding tuna oil on the lipid and fatty acid composition of boar spermatozoa and to relate changes in composition to boar semen characteristics. Ten boars were paired by age and allocated to one of two diets (five boars per diet). The diets, which were offered for 6 weeks, consisted of a basal diet that was either unsupplemented or supplemented with 30 g tuna oil kg(-1) diet. Adding tuna oil to the diet increased the ether extract concentration of the diets fed from 65 to 92 g kg(-1) dry matter and supplied 10.5 g long chain polyunsaturated (n-3) fatty acids per 100 g total fatty acids. There were no changes in semen fatty acid composition after 3 weeks of feeding tuna oil. However, after 5 and 6 weeks, the proportions (g per 100 g total fatty acids) of 22:6(n-3) in sperm phospholipid fatty acids were increased from 34.5 to 42.9 g by feeding tuna oil and 22:5(n-6) decreased from 29.8 to 17.9 g. No changes were observed in other sperm lipids or seminal plasma phospholipids as a result of the diets fed. Feeding tuna oil increased the proportion of spermatozoa with progressive motility and with a normal acrosome score and reduced the proportion of spermatozoa with abnormal morphologies.     

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.     

Subcutaneous and intramuscular lipid traits as tools for classifying Iberian pigs as a function of their feeding background

The present work was aimed to study the feasibility of classifying Iberian pigs fattened with two different diets, acorns and grass (AG) and oleic acid enriched concentrate (HO), by means of comparing the fatty acid profile and the content of different compounds of the unsaponifiable lipid fraction (neophytadiene and α- and γ-tocopherol) of subcutaneous (SCF) and intramuscular (IMF) fat of Biceps femoris and Semimembranosus muscles. The proportions of palmitic (C16:0), stearic (C18:0) and linoleic (C18:2 n-6) acids of the three studied tissues did not show a consistent behaviour as influenced by the feeding. The proportion of oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) was significantly affected by the diet in SCF and IMF of Semimembranosus muscle but not in IMF of B. femoris. Some minor fatty acids, such as arachidonic (C20:4 n-6) and linolenic (C18:3 n-3) acids, showed the best ability for the classification of the animals according to their feeding background and the obtained values showed significant differences caused by the diet in the three studied tissues. Neophytadiene and γ-tocopherol contents were statistically higher in AG than in HO pigs, while there were not differences in the α-tocopherol levels between experimental groups. Thus, it seems that procedures based on the quantification of arachidonic (C20:4 n-6) and linoleic (C18:3 n-3) acids as well as neophytadiene and γ-tocopherol levels would be useful to differentiate Iberian pigs fattened outdoors on acorns and grass from those fed MUFA enriched diets.     

Fatty acid composition of egg yolk phospholipid fractions following feed supplementation of Lohmann Brown hens with humic-fat preparations

The effect of feed supplementation with humic-fat preparations on the fatty acid composition of egg yolk phospholipid fractions was studied. The Lohmann Brown was the experimental hen strain and two feeding mixtures were applied – the standard feed and the mixture supplemented with humic-fat preparations. The fatty acid profile of yolk lipids was significantly affected (P = .05) by the supplementation of feed and total increase of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) was established. A different distribution of n-3 PUFA in egg yolk lipid fractions was observed: α-linolenic acid (18:3) was found in the triacylglycerol fraction, whereas docosahexaenoic acid (22:6) was detected in the phospholipid fractions. Supplementation of the hen’s diet with humic-fat preparations resulted in the production of n-3 enriched eggs with decreased n-6/n-3 ratio in all phospholipid fractions in comparison to the eggs from the control group.     

Dietary Menhaden Oil Influences Sensory Characteristics and Headspace Volatiles of Shell Eggs

Eggs from hens fed n-3 fatty acids (n-3FA) may provide a means for increased marketing of these healthful fatty acids. Eggs from hens fed graded levels (0, 0.5, 1.5, 3.0%) of menhaden oil (MO) were evaluated for fatty acid composition, sensory characteristics, and headspace volatiles. Eggs from hens fed 1.5% and 3.0% MO contained the greatest n-3 FA content and were not different. A linear increase in fishy notes occurred as level of dietary MO increased from 0 to 1.5%; however, these notes were not different between 1.5% and 3.0% eggs. Changes in headspace volatile profiles were quantitative. No unique volatiles characterized eggs from hens fed MO; however, concentration differences were noted between eggs from hens fed all levels of dietary MO. Changes in volatile profiles in response to dietary MO may be responsible for perception of fishy notes in such eggs.     

Study of variability in antioxidant composition and fatty acids profile of Longissimus dorsi and Serratus ventralis muscles from Iberian pigs reared in two different Montanera seasons

This investigation was designed to evaluate the effects of variations in antioxidant and fatty acids composition of acorns and grass from two Montanera (free-range system and feeding based on acorns and grass) seasons (2006/07 and 2007/08) on the antioxidant composition and fatty acids profile of m. Longissimus dorsi (LD) and m. Serratus ventralis (SV) from Iberian pigs reared under these Montanera seasons. Acorn and grass composition was affected by Montanera season and consequently, LD and SV muscles showed different contents of α-tocopherol, total phenols, hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity and fatty acid profile, according with the composition of acorns and grass ingested. Results suggest a lack of uniformity in meat quality between different seasons. This could be due to the variable nature of extensive pig production as reflected in the variability in the composition of the diet (acorns and grass).     

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.     

Determination of bioactive compounds in cream obtained as a by-product during cheese-making: Influence of cows' diet on lipid quality

Bioactive lipid components were determined in cream samples obtained as a by-product of industrial Parmigiano Reggiano cheese-making. Cream samples, produced from raw milk collected after the supplementation of cows' diet with an unsaturated-fat source, i.e., extruded linseed and fresh forage, were collected after cheese production. The addition of an unsaturated fat source into the traditional diet of cows significantly decreased the mean content of saturated fatty acids and significantly increased the mean content of unsaturated fatty acids in cream. In cream from the linseed group, the contents of monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly increased compared to cream from the control group. The total phospholipid content of cream from cows fed with linseed diet was significantly higher than that of cream samples from the control group. Thus, cream from cheese factories supplied by cows fed a linseed diet showed the highest content of bioactive lipids.     

Lipomobilization in periparturient dairy cows influences the composition of plasma nonesterified fatty acids and leukocyte phospholipid fatty acids

The periparturient period is characterized by sudden changes in metabolic and immune cell functions that predispose dairy cows to increased incidence of disease. Metabolic changes include alterations in the energy balance that lead to increased lipomobilization with consequent elevation of plasma nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations. The objective of this study was to establish the influence of lipomobilization on fatty acid profiles within plasma lipid fractions and leukocyte phospholipid composition. Blood samples from 10 dairy cows were collected at 14 and 7 d before due date, at calving, and at 7, 14, and 30 d after calving. Total lipids and lipid fractions were extracted from plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The degree of lipomobilization was characterized by measurement of plasma NEFA concentrations. The fatty acid profile of plasma NEFA, plasma phospholipids, and leukocyte phospholipids differed from the composition of total lipids in plasma, where linoleic acid was the most common fatty acid. Around parturition and during early lactation, the proportion of palmitic acid significantly increased in the plasma NEFA and phospholipid fractions with a concomitant increase in the phospholipid fatty acid profile of leukocytes. In contrast, the phospholipid fraction of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in leukocytes was diminished during the periparturient period, especially during the first 2 wk following parturition. This study showed that the composition of total plasma lipids does not necessarily reflect the NEFA and phospholipid fractions in periparturient dairy cows. These findings are significant because it is the plasma phospholipid fraction that contributes to fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids. Increased availability of certain saturated fatty acids in the NEFA phospholipid fractions may contribute to altered leukocyte functions during the periparturient period.