Register      Login
Animal Production Science Animal Production Science Society
Food, fibre and pharmaceuticals from animals
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Nutritional strategies affect carcass and pork quality but have no effect on intramuscular fat content of pork

D. N. D’Souza A B E , B. P. Mullan A , D. W. Pethick C , J. R. Pluske C and F. R. Dunshea D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Pork Research and Development Division, Department of Agriculture and Food, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.

B Australian Pork Limited, Deakin West, ACT 2600, Australia.

C Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6150, Australia.

D Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Melbourne School of Land and Environment, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia.

E Corresponding author. Email: darryl.dsouza@australianpork.com.au

Animal Production Science 52(4) 276-282 https://doi.org/10.1071/AN11138
Submitted: 6 May 2011  Accepted: 4 January 2012   Published: 29 February 2012

Abstract

Fifty crossbred (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) female finisher pigs were used to determine the effect of nutritional strategies on intramuscular fat content. The dietary treatments were (A) Control: commercial grower and finisher diet, (Day 68–166), (B) –15% P : E and –vitamin A: a 15% reduced protein : energy grower diet with no supplemental vitamin A (Day 68–110), followed by a commercial finisher diet (Day 111–166), (C) sugar: a grower diet supplemented with 10% sugar (Day 68–110), followed by a commercial finisher diet (Day 111–166), (D) zinc: a grower diet supplemented with 250 ppm zinc (Day 68–110), followed by a commercial finisher diet (Day 111–166), and (E) lecithin: a diet supplemented with 3 g/kg lecithin in the grower and finisher diet (Day 68–166). The effects of lecithin supplementation on compression characteristics of the M. semitendinosus were also studied. These data indicate that there were no significant effects of dietary manipulations on intramuscular fat content. During the grower phase (Day 68–110) pigs offered the low protein : energy and vitamin A-deficient diet had a poorer feed : gain compared with those offered diet containing supplemental sugar. Dietary lecithin supplementation decreased (P < 0.05) hardness and chewiness values for the M. semitendinosus compared with pigs offered the Control diet. Pigs offered the lecithin-supplemented diet also tended (P = 0.090) to have lower cook loss compared with pigs offered the Control diet. Dietary zinc supplementation during the grower phase improved (P < 0.05) the carcass dressing % compared with pigs offered the other diets. Dietary sugar or zinc increased (P < 0.05) the amount of lean in the belly and may be a means to control the rapid rise in the ratio of fat to lean in the belly during the finisher phase. These data indicate that dietary lecithin supplementation has the potential to improve the tenderness of pork but that intramuscular fat is difficult to manipulate nutritionally from an already moderate amount.

Additional keywords: compression characteristics, lecithin supplementation, sugar supplementation, zinc supplementation.


References

AMLC (1989) ‘The Aus-Meat standard carcase definition.’ (Australian Meat and Livestock Corporation: Sydney)

AOAC (1990) ‘Official methods of analysis.’ 15th edn. (Association of Official Analytical Chemists: Arlington, VA)

Aoki Y, Nakanishi N, Yamada T, Harashima N, Yamazaki T (2001) Subsequent performance and carcass characteristics of Japanese Black × Holstein crossbred steers reared on pasture from weaning at three months of age. Bulletin of the National Grassland Research Institute 60, 40–55.

Beattie VE, Weatherup RN, Moss BW, Walker N (1999) The effect of increasing carcass weight of finishing boars and gilts on joint composition and meat quality. Meat Science 52, 205–211.
The effect of increasing carcass weight of finishing boars and gilts on joint composition and meat quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MbnsVyktA%3D%3D&md5=97c835e1d414ca758a182aef730afc45CAS |

Bendall JR (1946) The effect of cooking on the creatine-creatinine, phosphorus, nitrogen and PH values of raw lean beef. Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry 65, 226–230.
The effect of cooking on the creatine-creatinine, phosphorus, nitrogen and PH values of raw lean beef.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaH2sXhtF2k&md5=5bfb2e608e43e91631fe6c664e277b66CAS |

Black JL, Campbell RG, Williams IH, James KJ, Davies GT (1986) Simulation of energy and amino acid utilisation in the pig. Research & Development in Agriculture 3, 121–145.

Bouton PE, Harris PV (1972) A comparison of some objective methods used to assess meat tenderness. Journal of Food Science 37, 218–221.
A comparison of some objective methods used to assess meat tenderness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Brooks CC (1972) Molasses, sugar (sucrose), corn, tallow, soybean oil and mixed fats as sources of energy for growing swine. Journal of Animal Science 34, 217–224.

Campbell RG, Biden RS (1978) The effect of protein nutrition between 5.5 and 20 kg live weight on the subsequent performance and carcass quality of pigs. Animal Production 27, 223–228.
The effect of protein nutrition between 5.5 and 20 kg live weight on the subsequent performance and carcass quality of pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXntV2hsg%3D%3D&md5=e589e4ae7d1550d266e7f6a05a1a9a97CAS |

Cao Q, Mak KM, Lieber CS (2002a) Dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine prevents transforming growth factor-beta 1-mediated collagen accumulation in cultured rat hepatic stellate cells. The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine 139, 202–210.
Dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine prevents transforming growth factor-beta 1-mediated collagen accumulation in cultured rat hepatic stellate cells.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XkvFGns70%3D&md5=427d63c497c097d3c3f227757d4b349bCAS |

Cao Q, Mak KM, Lieber CS (2002b) DLPC decreases TGF-beta 1-induced collagen mRNA by inhibiting p38 MAPK in hepatic stellate cells. American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology 283, G1051–G1061.

Channon HA, Reynolds J, Baud S (2001) Identifying pathways to ensure acceptable eating quality of pork. Final Report, Australian Pork Limited, Canberra.

Chiba LI (1995) Effects of nutritional history on the subsequent and overall growth-performance and carcass traits of pigs. Livestock Production Science 41, 151–161.
Effects of nutritional history on the subsequent and overall growth-performance and carcass traits of pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cisneros F, Ellis M, Baker DH, Easter RA, McKeith FK (1996) The influence of time of feeding of amino-acid deficient diets on the intramuscular fat content of pork. Animal Science (Penicuik, Scotland) 63, 517–522.
The influence of time of feeding of amino-acid deficient diets on the intramuscular fat content of pork.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXhtFCku74%3D&md5=554cfee702321b9b2c4e5ab62392a2d5CAS |

Collins CL, Henman DJ, Dunshea FR (2007) Reduced protein intake during the weaner period has variable effects on subsequent growth and carcass composition of pigs. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 47, 1333–1340.
Reduced protein intake during the weaner period has variable effects on subsequent growth and carcass composition of pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXht1eqsb%2FI&md5=654eab462c4c3aa7bc037d0b3d345ed3CAS |

Critser DJ, Miller PS, Lewis AJ (1995) The effects of dietary-protein concentration on compensatory growth in barrows and gilts. Journal of Animal Science 73, 3376–3383.

D’Souza DN, Pethick DW, Dunshea FR, Pluske JR, Mullan BP (2003) Nutritional manipulation increases intramuscular fat levels in the Longissimus muscle of female finisher pigs. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 54, 745–749.
Nutritional manipulation increases intramuscular fat levels in the Longissimus muscle of female finisher pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXntV2ms7w%3D&md5=db5c8973521e57286352b0adabf82482CAS |

D’Souza DN, Pethick DW, Dunshea FR, Suster D, Pluske JR, Mullan BP (2004) The pattern of fat and lean muscle tissue deposition differs in the different pork primal cuts of female pigs during the finisher growth phase. Livestock Production Science 91, 1–8.
The pattern of fat and lean muscle tissue deposition differs in the different pork primal cuts of female pigs during the finisher growth phase.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

D’Souza DN, Pethick DW, Dunshea FR, Pluske JR, Mullan BP (2008) Reducing the protein content of the grower growth phase diet increased intramuscular fat and improved the eating quality of the Longissimus thoracis muscle of female pigs. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 48, 1105–1109.

de Greef KH, Kemp B, Verstegen MWA (1992) Performance and body-composition of fattening pigs of 2 strains during protein-deficiency and subsequent realimentation. Livestock Production Science 30, 141–153.
Performance and body-composition of fattening pigs of 2 strains during protein-deficiency and subsequent realimentation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Duckett SK, Wagner DG, Yates LD, Dolezal HG, May SG (1993) Effects of time on feed on beef nutrient composition. Journal of Animal Science 71, 2079–2088.

Ellis M, Webb AJ, Avery PJ, Brown I (1996) The influence of terminal sire genotype, sex, slaughter weight, feeding regime and slaughter house on growth performance and carcass and meat quality in pigs and on organoleptic properties of fresh pork. Animal Science (Penicuik, Scotland) 62, 521–530.
The influence of terminal sire genotype, sex, slaughter weight, feeding regime and slaughter house on growth performance and carcass and meat quality in pigs and on organoleptic properties of fresh pork.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fang SH, Nishimura T, Takahashi K (1999) Relationship between development of intramuscular connective tissue and toughness of pork during growth of pigs. Journal of Animal Science 77, 120–130.

Hansen S, Hansen MD, Aaslyng MD, Byrne DV (2004) Sensory and instrumental analysis of longitudinal and transverse textural variation in pork longissimus dorsi. Meat Science 68, 611–629.
Sensory and instrumental analysis of longitudinal and transverse textural variation in pork longissimus dorsi.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hernández A, Pluske JR, D’Souza DN, Mullan BP (2009) Minimum levels of inclusion of copper and zinc proteinate amino acid chelates in growing and finishing pig diets. Animal Production Science 49, 340–349.

Kawachi H (2006) Micronutrients affecting adipogenesis in beef cattle. Animal Science Journal 77, 463–471.
Micronutrients affecting adipogenesis in beef cattle.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xht1egs7jE&md5=2c117221eb698841c724517380b296a3CAS |

Kerr BJ, McKeith FK, Easter RA (1995) Effects on performance and carcass characteristics of nursery to finisher pigs offered reduced crude protein, amino acid-supplemented diets. Journal of Animal Science 73, 433–440.

Lawrie RA (1998) The structure and growth of muscle. In ‘Meat science’. 6th edn. (Ed. RA Lawrie) pp. 31–57. (Woodhead Publishing Limited: Cambridge, UK)

Li JJ, Kim CI, Leo MA, Mak KM, Rojkind M, Lieber CS (1992) Polyunsaturated lecithin prevents acetaldehyde-mediated hepatic collagen accumulation by stimulating collagenase activity in cultured lipocytes. Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) 15, 373–381.
Polyunsaturated lecithin prevents acetaldehyde-mediated hepatic collagen accumulation by stimulating collagenase activity in cultured lipocytes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK38XhvV2nt7o%3D&md5=f872ac5896fde0a8b7484914c87cd454CAS |

Lieber CS (1997) Pathogenesis and treatment of liver fibrosis in alcoholics: 1996 update. Digestive Diseases (Basel, Switzerland) 15, 42–66.
Pathogenesis and treatment of liver fibrosis in alcoholics: 1996 update.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2s3lsFOqug%3D%3D&md5=ce687671093ac86e389e316b3153740cCAS |

Lieber CS (1999) Prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis based on pathogenesis. Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research 23, 944–949.
Prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis based on pathogenesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK1M3pslygsg%3D%3D&md5=fdda25fb1d13048754e63d447cefae49CAS |

Okeudo NJ, Moss BW (2005) Interrelationships amongst carcass and meat quality characteristics of sheep. Meat Science 69, 1–8.
Interrelationships amongst carcass and meat quality characteristics of sheep.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MbnsFWjsg%3D%3D&md5=9d3e865992d2718d06ded4ced132d768CAS |

Purslow (2005) Intramuscular connective tissue and its role in meat quality. Meat Science 70, 435–447.
Intramuscular connective tissue and its role in meat quality.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXktVKgt78%3D&md5=a065b3eaa546c7ab4496f88c4c814700CAS |

Sabin MA, Yau SW, Russo VC, Clarke IJ, Dunshea FR, Chau J, Cox M, Werther GA (2011) Dietary monounsaturated fat in early life regulates IGFBP2 – implications for fat mass accretion and insulin sensitivity. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)
Dietary monounsaturated fat in early life regulates IGFBP2 – implications for fat mass accretion and insulin sensitivity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Smith SB, Crouse JD (1984) Relative contributions of acetate, lactate and glucose to lipogenesis in bovine intramuscular and subcutaneous adipose-tissue. The Journal of Nutrition 114, 792–800.

Suster D, Leury BJ, Ostrowska E, Butler KL, Kerton DJ, Wark JD, Dunshea FR (2003) Accuracy of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), weight and P2 back fat to predict whole body and carcass composition in pigs within and across experiments. Livestock Production Science 84, 231–242.
Accuracy of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), weight and P2 back fat to predict whole body and carcass composition in pigs within and across experiments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Suster D, Leury BJ, Hofmeyr CD, D’Souza DN, Dunshea FR (2004) The accuracy of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), weight, and P2 back fat to predict half-carcass and primal-cut composition in pigs within and across research experiments. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 973–982.
The accuracy of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), weight, and P2 back fat to predict half-carcass and primal-cut composition in pigs within and across research experiments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Suster D, Leury BJ, Kerton DJ, Dunshea FR (2006) Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry predicts the effects of dietary protein on body composition of pigs. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 46, 1439–1445.
Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry predicts the effects of dietary protein on body composition of pigs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhtVGhs7bF&md5=fd39b6ca6f720b135c8ec50f6a132b78CAS |

Tornberg E (2005) Effects of heat on meat proteins – implications on structure and quality of meat products. Meat Science 70, 493–508.
Effects of heat on meat proteins – implications on structure and quality of meat products.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXktVKgt7w%3D&md5=ceb9bc8765abbddb63a5d963ae3a6be4CAS |

Wheeler TL, Shackelford SD, Koohmaraie M (2000) Variations inproteolysis, sarcomere length, collagen content, and tenderness among major pork muscles. Journal of Animal Science 78, 958–965.

Witte DP, Ellis M, McKeith FK, Wilson ER (2000) Effect of dietary lysine level and environmental temperature during the finishing phase on the intramuscular fat content of pork. Journal of Animal Science 78, 1272–1276.