Effect of different dietary factors on intramuscular fat content in pigs

Identifier:  TDX:1134

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX1134

Authors:  Tous Closa, Núria

Abstract:
The objective of this thesis was: (1) to test if Spanish consumers associate intramuscular fat (IMF) content with acceptability of pork meat; (2) to increase IMF through nutritional strategies (supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid, reduction of vitamin A, reduction of protein, lysine, supplementation with arginine and leucine). Results showed that from the point of view of taste, consumers prefer the meat with a high IMF content. An increase of IMF was observed when dietary protein or lysine were reduced (without modifying lysine or protein content, respectively) in a fatter but not in a leaner genotype. It can be concluded that modification of IMF content through the diet depends on the genotype, and that changes in dietary protein and lysine levels elicit the greatest response.