STUDIES ON THE SUITABILITY OF A COLORIMETRIC TEST FOR ANDROST-16-ENE STEROIDS IN THE SUBMAXILLARY GLAND AND FAT OF PIGS AS A SIMPLE CHEMICAL TEST FOR BOAR TAINT

Abstract

Analytical methods for measuring 5α-androst-16-en-3-one, the major boar taint steroid, that have been described to date are expensive, time consuming and generally not suitable for use in an abattoir. In this report the use of a qualitative colorimetric test for the determination of androst-16-ene steroids is described which is inexpensive, quick and simple to perform. The test is based on the established reaction of steroids with resorcylaldehyde and H2SO4 in glacial acetic acid. Androst-16-ene steroids give a purple color (λ max = 590 nm) while cholesterol produces a pink color (λ max = 543 nm) from the reaction. Assay conditions have been optimized to produce a maximum color with androst-16-ene steroids and to minimize color development with cholesterol. Since tissue extracts contain appreciable levels of cholesterol which would still produce a considerable amount of color in the assay, a method to remove cholesterol while concentrating the androst-16-ene steroids from tissue extracts was devised. This technique allows the specific determination of androst-16-ene steroids in tissue extracts using the resorcylaldehyde/H2SO2/acetic acid color reaction. The possible use of this test as a simple chemical method for estimating taint is illustrated by determining the levels of androst-16-ene steroids in salivary glands and backfat of a small number of boars, barrows and gilts and comparing these values to the levels of taint determined by the hot iron test. Key words: Boar taint, androst-16-ene steroids, quick test