Iberian Pork Research Articles

Mineral analysis (Fe, Zn, Ca, Na, K) of fresh Iberian pork loin by near infrared reflectance spectrometry: Determination of Fe, Na and K with a remote fibre-optic reflectance probe

Near infrared spectrometry (NIRS) was used for the determination of the mineral concentrations of the elements iron, calcium, zinc, sodium and potassium in fresh samples of ground Iberian pork loin and for the determination of Fe, Na and K using a remote fibre-optic reflectance probe by direct application of the probe on intact loin. The regression method employed was the modified partial least squares (MPLS). The calibration results using 42 samples of ground pork loin had a corrected standard error of prediction (SEPC) and a correlation coefficient (RSQ) for Fe of 0.085 and 0.842; for Zn, 0.0097 and 0.695; for Ca, 0.101 and 0.761; for Na, 0.710 and 0.639 and for K, 4.414 and 0.781, respectively. The calibration results using NIR interactance with direct application to the same loin samples of a remote fibre-optic reflectance probe allowed the determination of the concentrations of Fe, Na and K, with SEPC and RSQ values of 0.084 and 0.898 for Fe; 0.698 and 0.757 for Na, and 6.760 and 0.775 for K. The robustness of the method was confirmed by applying it to eight samples of loin (ground and intact) for external validation.

On-line non-destructive determination of proteins and infiltrated fat in Iberian pork loin by near infrared spectrometry with a remote reflectance fibre optic probe

A near infrared (NIR) spectrometer equipped with a standard 210/210 bundle remote reflectance fibre optic probe, with a 5 cm×5 cm quartz window, was used for the determination of protein and infiltrated fat in the pork loin muscle of Iberian swine ( Longissimus dorsi). The content in infiltrated fat was found to vary from 3 to 19% and that of protein from 21 to 31%. The regression method employed was modified partial least squares (MPLSs). The calibration results using the fibre optic probe for 56 samples had corrected standard error of prediction of 0.74% for the fat (multiple correlation coefficient, RSQ=0.94) and of 0.80% for the protein (RSQ=0.881). A comparative study was carried out on the determination of fat and protein in the same pork loin samples using the fibre optic probe without destruction of the sample and with conventional measuring cells using ground samples. The method was applied in the dissecting hall of a slaughterhouse. The results show that NIR interaction, with direct application of a fibre optic probe on pork loin samples, permits the determination of protein and infiltrated fat without destruction the sample, with good results.

Use of isotope analysis to characterize meat fromIberian-breed swine

We describe a method based on isotope analysis (δ 13C) for characterization and differentiation of Iberian pork meat as a function of the diet of the animal. Using adipose tissue, it is possible to classify unknown samples in group of animals designated “acorn-fed”, “recebo=mixed-fed” and “feed raised” according the δ 13C value obtained, from the calibration straight line of y=−22.12–0.35 x, with a correlation coefficient r=0.982 and s=0.1‰; where y=δ 13C and x=arrobas of acorn and range forage received by the animals during the fattening period. Stress should be placed on the economic and industrial importance of Iberian-breed swine because the market prices of Iberian swine products depends on the classification of the animals according to the type of feeding regimen which they are subjected to.