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

• Published in: Meat science 2012-02, Vol.90 (2), p.414-419
• Main Authors: Tejerina, D., García-Torres, S., de Vaca, M. Cabeza, Vázquez, F.M., Cava, R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acorns; alpha-tocopherol; alpha-Tocopherol - analysis; Animal Feed; Animals; antioxidant activity; antioxidants; Antioxidants - analysis; Biological and medical sciences; Diet; Diet composition; fatty acid composition; Fatty Acids - analysis; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Food industries; fruits; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Grass; grasses; Iberian (swine breed); Iberian pigs; longissimus muscle; Meat; Meat and meat product industries; meat quality; Montanera; Muscle, Skeletal - chemistry; Muscles - chemistry; phenols; Poaceae - chemistry; Quercus - chemistry; rearing; Seasons; Sus scrofa; swine production; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0309-1740; 1873-4138
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2011.08.010

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). ► Acorn and grass showed variable composition between different Montanera season. ► In different Montanera seasons its observed a lack of uniformity in meat quality. ► S. ventralis shown higher antioxidant content and lower oleic acid than L. dorsi.