The effect of genotype and castration method on the eating quality characteristics of pork from male pigs

Abstract

AbstractSixty crossbred (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) pigs were used to compare the growth performance, carcass and pork quality characteristics of entire, surgically castrated and immunologically castrated male pigs from two Western Australian commercial genotypes (genotype A : ‘lean’ genotype and genotype B : propensity for increased subcutaneous fat deposition). Pigs from genotype B had a higher average daily gain and a superior food conversion ratio compared with pigs from genotype A. Entire males had lower backfat compared with surgically and immunologically castrated male pigs. Pork from entire males was drier, tougher and had lower overall acceptability scores compared with surgically or immunologically castrated male pigs. Pork from genotype A pigs had a lower m. longissimus thoracis (LT) ultimate pH and higher drip loss compared with pork from genotype B pigs. However, consumer taste panel assessment indicated that pork from genotype A pigs was more tender, had higher juiciness and overall acceptability scores compared with pork from genotype B pigs. Within genotype A, the consumer taste panel preferred pork from surgically castrated pigs compared with either entire or immunologically castrated pigs. Within genotype B, the consumer taste panel preferred pork from immunologically castrated pigs compared with either entire or surgically castrated male pigs. These results indicate that interactions between genotype and castration method can significantly influence eating quality of pork.