The effect of linseed diet on carcass value traits and fatty acid composition in muscle and fat tissue of fattening pigs

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of linseed in the diet of fattening pigs on carcass value traits and changes in the fatty acid profile in muscle and fat tissue. Thirty crossbred gilts were divided into two groups (control C and experimental L) and fed a commercial feed mixture for fattening pigs. Ground linseed was added to a feed mixture for the experimental group. The average daily gain, lean meat percentage and intramuscular fat content were not affected by the linseed diet but pH1 value and drip loss were significantly influenced by dietary treatment (P < 0.01). The inclusion of linseed increased linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid content in L group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) while arachidonic acid content was decreased in both muscle (P > 0.05) and fat tissue (P < 0.01). The content of total n-6 PUFA and n-3 PUFA and their ratio were also determined. A significant decrease in the n-6/n-3PUFA ratio was found in L group compared to C group (P < 0.01). The total SFA content in muscle tissue was not significantly affected (P > 0.05) by the linseed diet but it was decreased (P < 0.01) in backfat. The MUFA/SFA ratio was not affected by the linseed diet (P > 0.05) whereas the SFA/PUFA ratio was reduced (P < 0.01).