Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of nutrient density diets and sex on carcass and pork quality characteristics in finishing pigs. A total of 96 pigs(58.04 <TEX>$\pm$</TEX> 6.85 kg) were divided into 2 groups(gilts and barrows), each sex group was assigned to 3 nutrient density(high : 18.5%, middle : 16.0% and low: 14.0% CP, respectively) and raised up to 1l0kg live weight. Each treatment had four replicates with three or five pigs per replicate. The treatments comprised the feeding regimes of 1) the low density diet for 60 days, 2) the middle nutrient density diet for the 30 days followed by a low nutrient density diet for the remaining 30 days and 3) the high nutrient density diet for the 30 days followed by a middle nutrient density diet for the remaining 30 days. Pigs were conventionally slaughtered, and then chilled overnight. Carcass characteristics and grades were determined on those carcasses, and pork loin muscle was removed from each left side at 5th to 13th rib for quality evaluation were evaluated. There were no differences in the carcass weight between sex and nutrient density. Dressing percent of L-L(gilts) treatment was significantly higher than that of other treatments(P< 0.05). Barrows showed a thicker back fat thickness than gilts. There were no difference in intramuscular fat, subcutaneous fat and springiness between sex and nutrient density. Intermuscular fat of barrows groups was significantly higher than the gilts groups(P < 0.05). In the meat quality characteristics, there were no difference in general composition, meat and fat color between sex and nutrient density. pH of L-L(gilts) treatment was significantly higher than that of other treatments(P < 0.05). Cooking loss and shear force value of H-M(barrows) treatment were significantly higher than those of other treatments(P< 0.05). Purge loss of barrows groups was significantly higher than the gilts groups(P < 0.05). Myoglobin content of H-M treatment was significantly lower than L-L and M-L treatments(P< 0.05). Texture of H-M treatment was higher than L-L and M-L treatments. The content of myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic and oleic acid were significantly higher in the barrows groups(P< 0.05). However, stearic, linoleic and arachidonic acid were significantly higher in the gilts(P < 0.05). Amino acid content of L-L treatment was significantly higher than M-L and H-M treatments(P < 0.05). In conclusion, carcass and pork quality characteristics were affected by sex and nutrient density.

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