Variability within intramuscular fat content of pigs as measured by gravimetry, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy

In order to determine in vivo intramuscular fat content of pigs' biceps femoris, three methods were compared. Gravimetry and FTIR spectroscopy after total fat extraction from a biopsy (about 400 mg skeletal muscle tissue) and in vivo ¹H NMR spectroscopy after imaging and volume of interest selection were used. Mean values (g fat/100 g fresh tissue) were, respectively, 1·47 ± 0·35 (gravimetry), 1·26 ± 0·33 (FTIR) and 0·51 ± 0·19 (NMR); but NMR-values represented only triglycerides. Within an intramuscular fat range from 1·1 to 2·7 g per 100 g fresh muscle tissue, possible to estimate a calibration line between the in vitro and in vivo data for hybrid piglets of about 18 kg. Repeated in vivo NMR measurements on the same muscle volume showed a mean coefficient of variation of 5·5 ± 2·7%. The coefficient of variation of measurements on different volumes within the same muscle was 14 ± 10%. The mean intramuscular fat content of 18 kg or 100 kg pigs was, respectively, 1·64 ± 0·46 (biceps femoris) and 1·32 ± 0·1 (longissimus dorsi) g per 100 g fresh muscle tissue.