RESUMEN
Two of the main issues related to cured meat products are castration to avoid boar taint and the hefty reliance on soybean meal to feed pigs. However, data on the effects of immunocastration in pigs and alternative crop protein feeds on the sensory traits and consumers' acceptance of dry-cured loin are still limited. A preliminary study was conducted on the effect of sex type (surgical castrated male pigs and immunocastrated male and female pigs, at approximately 140 kg in weight and 7 months of age) and animal diet (pea vs. soya) on dry-cured loins. The study involved a sensory evaluation of six treatments, with a 3 × 2 factorial design, conducted by trained panellists and untrained consumers in Spain (n = 126) and Portugal (n = 80). The consumers were also checked for their skatole sensitivity using a pure substance. The results showed that the pea-based diet was significantly different (p < 0.001) from the soy-based diet, as determined by a trained panel of surgically castrated male pigs, although the immunocastration treatments were not split. Dry-cured loin from immunocastrated male pigs fed with peas was considered tenderer and juicier (p < 0.05) than those fed soya-based diets. The untrained consumer panel scored higher on the sensory traits (flavour, juiciness, and overall liking) from the loin samples of surgically castrated male pigs fed a pea diet. All consumers scored similarly in boar taint detection. This study demonstrates the applicability of the pea-based diet for the feeding of pigs destined for cured meat and highlights immunocastration as a tool that does not compromise the skatole detection score.
RESUMEN
This study aimed to explore dietary replacement soybean meal (SBM) with local pea seeds (PS-L) and the effects of surgically castrated (CM) or immunocastration (IM) in heavy male pigs, on growth performance, feeding behaviour, and tail and ear lesions. Four treatments were arranged factorially (2 × 2), with two sexes and two dietary treatments (96 pigs in eight pens). The inclusion of PS-L was 25%, 30%, and 40% during three phases (40−80 kg, 80−110 kg, and 110−140 kg, respectively). No difference in average daily feed intake (ADFI) and body-weight (BW) between PS-L and SBM could be demonstrated (p > 0.05), but PS-L diet decreased the average daily gain (ADG) at 110−140 kg of BW (p < 0.001) and increased feed conversion rate (FCR) (p < 0.05). The ADG was higher (p < 0.01) in IM than CM in all fattening periods, and the FCR in IM was lower (p < 0.05) than in barrows. IM pigs had lower dressing percentage than CM (p < 0.01). Pigs fed a PS-L diet ate faster but increased their passive behaviour compared with those fed SBM. In conclusion, the PS-L diet did not reduce BW and improved passive behaviour, and IM grew more efficiently, regardless of diet.
RESUMEN
Niche production is intended to produce premium pork, but several husbandry factors may affect the meat fatty acid composition and aroma. Fatty acid profile (by GC-FID) of raw meat and volatile compounds (by SPME-GC-MS) of cooked meat were analysed in loin samples from two pig genetic types-75% Duroc (Du) and 50% Pietrain (Pi) rossbreds that were slaughtered at different weights (90 kg and 105 kg, respectively) to achieve similar target carcass fatness, and the outcome carcasses were balanced for lean grade groups (<60% or ≥60% lean) within genotypes. Genetic type did not affect fatty acids (FA) profile of meat. The leaner meat had lower C12:0 and C20:3n - 3, lower saturated fatty acids (SFA) and higher MUFA/SFA ratio content than the fattier meat. Short-chain alcohols were lower in Pietrain and in leaner pork compared to the samples from Duroc crossbreds and fattier pork. A greater amount of hexane,2,4,4-trimethyl (an aliphatic hydrocarbon) but lower carbon disulphide (sulphur compound) content was detected in pork from leaner compared to fattier pork. Higher aromatics hydrocarbons were exclusively associated with Duroc crossbreds, and lower aliphatic hydrocarbons with pigs classified as fattier. Most of the volatile compounds detected in the present study came from lipid oxidation.