Effects of agronomical selenium biofortification of Iberian pig diet on quality and antioxidant capacity of pork

• Published in: Livestock science 2024-03, Vol.281, p.105413, Article 105413
• Main Authors: Hernández-García, F.I., Matías, J., López-Parra, M., García-Gudiño, J., Barraso, C., Garrido, N., García-Calvo, A.M., Izquierdo, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Extensive systems; Heavy pigs; Meat rancidity; Organic selenium; Sustainability; Triticale
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2024.105413

•Agronomical biofortification increased Selenium (Se) in Iberian pig diets.•These Se-biofortified diets increased the antioxidant capacity of Iberian pork.•These biofortified diets increased Se in meat but not in blood plasma.•Main meat effects persisted for 2 months after biofortified diet withdrawal.•This biofortification was inexpensive, safe and had long-lasting effects. Due to its valuable high intramuscular fat content and lipid composition, Iberian pork is very prone to rancidity. Selenium (Se) supplementation delays meat post-mortem oxidation, but organic Se reaches tissues more efficiently and durably than the inorganic forms, which may even be toxic at high concentrations. Agronomical Se biofortification (incorporating Se to crops) provides organic Se, is not expensive and is effective and safe for producing animal feed and human food. This study aimed to: (1) Determine the effectiveness of Se-biofortification in triticale crops. (2) Evaluate the use of Se-biofortified triticale grain in Iberian pigs during the pre-finishing vs the pre-finishing + finishing periods to determine the permanence of Se and the effects on pork antioxidant capacity. A 4-ha triticale plot was sprayed with sodium selenate (10 g Se/ha) and a similar, control plot was not sprayed. Treated plot grain had greater Se concentration (430 ± 22 µg Se/kg) than that from the control one (