Boar taint and meat quality characteristics of entire male and castrated male pigs

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the present research was to study the chemical composition, technological traits and intensity of boar taint of meat in entire male (EM) and surgically castrated male (CM) pigs. The study included 46 male pigs, cross F1 (Landrace x Danube White), fattened to average live weight 90 kg. In terms of chemical composition, the higher water and lipid content of the meat of entire male pigs, compared to the meat of surgically castrated male pigs was not statistically significant. A significant difference in the meat’s technological traits – pH values, water-holding capacity, cooking losses and tenderness between the two groups of male animals ware not found. The influence of the factor “castration” was reported in trait marbling of meat (p<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in the values of L*, b* and Hue angle, defining the color characteristics of the meat.

Keywords

• water-holding capacity
• chemical composition
• technological traits
• pH
• color
• tenderness