Accumulation and evolution of tocopherols in dry-cured hams from Iberian pigs as affected by their feeding and rearing system

A practical study on the feasibility of alpha and gamma-tocopherol quantification for distinguishing Iberian pig feeding systems

“…Hence, the FEEDIN group exclusively fed a mixed diet had the lowest concentration of alphatocopherol in muscle and fat than the other groups, while FEEDOUT and FREEOUTFEED groups showed intermediate values. A similar trend in the concentrations of both tocopherols has been reported before in different tissues (Rey et al, 1997;Cava et al, 2000;Rey et al, 2006a,b;Rey et al, 2010) for pigs fed in freerange conditions, with comercial feed diet, or fed during a different period in the forest. However, this is the first study examining tocopherol concentration in fat and (64% and 65% for fat and muscle, respectively) and the FREEOUTFEED group showed the lowest percentage of correct assignments (40% for fat and 48% for muscle).…”

“…Concerning the quantified concentration of gamma and alpha tocopherols of the present study, values were similar to those reported before (Rey et al, 2006 a,b;Daza et al, 2005), in this type of muscle obtained by direct extraction with differences probably due to variations in acorn and grass consumption, composition, or the delay until analyses were carried out (Rey et al, 2010). However in fat, the gammatocopherol concentrations of the present study were lower than those reported in previous studies (Rey et al, 2006a, 2006b, Rey et al, 2010, due not only to the same variations as in muscle but also in part to small modifications of the analytical procedure which allowed for a more accurate quantification of gammatocopherol.…”

“…However in fat, the gammatocopherol concentrations of the present study were lower than those reported in previous studies (Rey et al, 2006a, 2006b, Rey et al, 2010, due not only to the same variations as in muscle but also in part to small modifications of the analytical procedure which allowed for a more accurate quantification of gammatocopherol.…”

Quantification ofγ- andα-tocopherol isomers in combination with pattern recognition model as a tool for differentiating dry-cured shoulders of Iberian pigs raised on different feeding systems

“…The Industry Quality Policy defines four Iberian pig categories based on their feeding regimen during the fattening period: ‘bellota’ (FREE‐RANGE: pigs fed in free‐range conditions), ‘recebo’ (FREE‐FEED: pigs fed in free‐range conditions and provided feed supplements), ‘campo’ (FEED‐OUT: pigs fed outdoors with feed and with access to grass) and ‘cebo’ (FEED: pigs fed in intensive conditions with feed only). The most valuable products are those obtained from free‐range feeding in which pigs are fed with natural resources (mainly acorns and grass) that provide a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants . However, the acorn and grass production system depends on climatic conditions and it is not always possible to finish rearing Iberian pigs with acorns exclusively.…”

“…Although tocopherols are only marginally degraded after processing, it would be necessary to know the concentration of these compounds in the final product of the different feeding groups to establish a correct classification. There is some information available showing that it is feasible to use tocopherols in dry‐cured hams to distinguish between pigs fed in free‐range from those fed with mixed diets, but there is no information about the reliability of this system when intermediate categories are included where pigs consume a variable amount of grass or acorns mixed with feed or high‐oleic fat diets. Moreover, differences have been reported in the tocopherol content of muscles with different metabolic characteristics .…”