Abstract

AGUILAR-GUGGEMBUHL, Jarumi et al. Effect of diets with polyunsaturated fatty acids on pork sensory characteristics. Agrociencia [online]. 2014, vol.48, n.8, pp.777-788. ISSN 2521-9766.

The consumption of some long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), in particular docosahexanoic (DHA), eicosapentanoic (EPA) and conjugated linoleic (CLA) acids is beneficial for human health, thus its incorporation to meat gives added value, but sensory characteristics could be altered, causing rejection by the consumer. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of adding these three LCPUFA to pig diet on physiochemical and sensory meat quality. The experimental design was randomized blocks with the following treatments: T1) diet+CLA; T2) diet+DHA+EPA; T3) diet+DHA+EPA+CLA; T4) diet (control). The data were analyzed using ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA). Means were compared with Tukey test (p≤0.05). Thirty-two Pietrain x Landrace x York x Duroc castrated pigs were used in two fattening phases: 4 weeks of development and 4 weeks of finishing. They were then electroanesthetized and sacrificed. To carry out the physiochemical analyses (pH, water activity, hardness and cooking loss) and qualitative description (flavor, texture and aroma) samples were taken from the Longissimus dorsi muscle. Flavor and aroma of pork meat fed with LCPUFA was described as roasted, beef-like, and sheep-like, with soft and juicy texture, although less acceptable than the control. Roasted flavor, a desirable attribute in meats, decreased in samples obtained from pigs with diets including DHA and EPA, and fishy aroma and flavor were not detected.

Keywords : docosahexanoic acid (DHA); eicosapentanoic acid (EPA); conjugated linoleic acid (CIA); functional food; nutraceuticals; pork meat quality.