Fatty Acid Composition of Muscle and Adipose Tissue in Pigs Fed with Addition of Natural Sorbents.

Abstract

Simple SummaryDifferent types of unconventional feed resources as feed additives for animals are used worldwide on the basis of their availability and economical consideration. Natural mineral sorbents have been used in a wide range in animal farming mainly as feed additives since the mid-1960s. Still, to date, no studies have investigated the effect of the addition of natural sorbents such as biochar, bentonite–montmorillonite and zeolite–clinoptilolite to feed on the fatty acid content of pig meat (muscle tissue) and fat (adipose tissue). The presented research carried out in this area has revealed some evidence of fatty acid profile modification. In spite of the fact that effects of investigated sorbents were often opposite, they did not adversely affect indices of nutritional and pro-health quality of adipose tissue of the pig during fattening. Due to the fact that effects of sorbents supplementation are highly variable and can depend on the composition and dosage, further research seems fully reasonable.The fatty acid composition of meat and fat was studied in Choice Genetics line pigs fed a diet with three natural sorbents. Control (C1 and C2), biochar (D, 0.5%), bentonite–montmorillonite (A, 1.5%) and zeolite–clinoptilolite (B, 1.5%) diets were used in two trials. The samples of back fat, kidney fat and Longissimus lumborum (MLL) and Semimembranosus (MSM) muscle were examined. All sorbents (D, A and B) had no effect on fatty acid composition in MLL, whereas in MSM turned out to be very limited and inconsistent. Although A and B sorbents had a significant impact on the fatty acid profile of kidney fat, their effect was often opposite. Sorbent B’s effects were less beneficial due to a significantly higher proportion of saturated fatty acids, higher value of thrombogenic and atherogenic indexes, n-6/n-3 ratio but lower h/H ratio. Sorbent A’s effects significantly increased polyunsaturated fatty acids, and positively influenced lipid health quality indices. In summary, the feeding of natural sorbents slightly modified the fatty acid profile of muscle tissue, kidney fat and back fat; however, it did not have a negative effect on the indices of nutritional and pro-health quality of adipose tissue of pigs during fattening.