Meat quality characteristics in different lines of Iberian pigs

Abstract

Physico-chemical parameters involved in technological meat quality for dry cured processing of four different lines (Entrepelado, Lampiño, Retinto and Torbiscal) of Iberian pigs were studied in the Masseter (MS) and Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscles. The line of Iberian pig significantly affected intramuscular fat content of MS muscle, animals from the Torbiscal line showing lower values. Proportions of several fatty acids of total lipids and polar lipids from the MS muscle were also affected. However, fatty acid composition and total lipids, neutral lipids and polar lipids of LD muscle and neutral lipids of MS muscle were scarcely affected. Lipid oxidation was also unaffected by Iberian pig line, but instrumental colour parameters of MS muscle showed significant variations.