Journal of Central European Agriculture (Jun 2009)
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY OF LONGISSIMUS DORSI MUSCLE OF PIGS FED THE FODDER WITH ADDITION OF CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID
Abstract
The aim of research was to investigate the impact of feeding pigs the fodder with addition of different level of conjugated linoleic acid on results of electric conductivity of Longissimus dorsi muscle. Electric conductivity (LF, Ger. Leitfähigkeitmessung) is the method of meat quality estimation. This technique uses high relationships between electric conductivity and the other parameters of meat quality. In breeding and production of pigs the aim is to obtain fatteners of low fat and high meat content simultaneously keeping good meat tissue quality. One of the ways of their quality improvement is using fodder supplements as i.e. conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Results of many research proved that conjugated linoleic acid impacts also in a favourable way on humans health because reduces cholesterol level, prevents from heart attacks and some cancers, stimulates immune system and has antiinfl ammatory properties. Statistical analysis covered the results of 60 crossbred gilts, divided into 6 groups, fed the fodder with addition of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) or sunfl ower oil (SFO) in amounts: 0.5; 1.0; and 2.0 %, respectively. Fattening period of animals lasted for 8 weeks with ad-libitum feeding. In 1, 3, 6 hour, 24 hours, 3 and 7 days after slaughter electric conductivity of muscle tissue was measured – muscle Longissimus dorsi. Electric conductivity measured in different time after slaughter was not statistically diversed between tested groups of animals. The results concerned electric conductivity of muscle Longissimus dorsi of pigs fed the fodder with addition of conjugated linoleic acid should be stated as satisfactory and proved normal meat. Therefore, feeding pigs the fodder with CLA addition in amount of 0.5; 1.0 and 2.0 % did not impacts negatively on meat quality.
