Predictive ability of the feeding system in Iberian pig by means of several analytical methods

Abstract

The reliability of several analytical methods proposed to predict the feeding system received by Iberian pigs during the fattening period has been contrasted. Samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue were analyzed from 38 batches of pigs fattened in three seasons of <i>montanera</i> (acorn and pastures feeding). They corresponded to the four categories described in the Quality Standard for Iberian pig products: 251 samples of <i>bellota</i>, 164 of <i>recebo</i>, 197 of <i>cebo de campo</i> and 137 of cebo. To perform the study, the following analytical methods were used: fatty acid quantification, NIR, alpha and gamma tocopherol, chemical sensor, triacilglycerides, stable isotopes and neophytadiene. The laboratories received the samples without any information about the fattening system to which they belonged and remitted their predictions with respect to the above categories. The results showed a high percentage of accurate predictions of the methods when the fattening type corresponds to the extreme categories (bellota and <i>cebo</i>), however, the methods had difficulty in discerning between samples from a mixed feeding regime with <i>acorn and feed (recebo)</i> and problems when pigs are fattened with compound feeds including vegetable fats with high levels of oleic acid. Although a simplification into only two categories (<i>cebo/campo</i> and <i>recebo/bellota</i>) results in a success rate higher than 90% for some methods, the combination of two or three techniques with problematic samples allows for differentiating among the four categories with the same accuracy.<br><br>Se ha contrastado la fiabilidad de varios métodos analíticos para determinar el tipo de alimentación recibida durante el cebo por cerdos Ibéricos a partir de muestras de tejido adiposo subcutáneo, procedentes de 38 partidas de cerdos de tres campañas de <i>montanera</i>. Las muestras correspondieron con las categorías de alimentación contempladas en la Norma de Calidad: 251 fueron de <i>bellota</i>, 164 de <i>recebo</i>, 197 de <i>campo</i> y 137 de <i>cebo</i>. Los métodos contrastados han sido ácidos grasos, NIR, alfa y gamma tocoferol, sensor químico, triacilglicéridos, isótopos estables y neofitadieno. Los distintos laboratorios recibieron las muestras sin información sobre el tipo de alimentación y remitieron sus predicciones respecto a las categorías previamente mencionadas. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron un elevado porcentaje de aciertos de los métodos cuando la alimentación se corresponde con las categorías extremas (<i>bellota</i> y <i>cebo</i>), sin embargo existía una dificultad en clasificar correctamente las muestras de cerdos de alimentación mixta con bellota y pienso (<i>recebo</i>) y confusión de algunos métodos cuando los cerdos son cebados con piensos que incluyen grasas vegetales con altos niveles de ácido oleico. Aunque la consideración de sólo dos categorías (<i>cebo/campo</i> y <i>recebo/bellota</i>) eleva el nivel de acierto por encima del 90% en algunos métodos, la combinación de dos o tres técnicas para muestr...

Predicting Acorn-Grass Weight Gain Index using non-destructive Near Infrared Spectroscopy in order to classify Iberian pig carcasses according to feeding regime

“…Detailed information on the various batches from which samples were drawn for analysis can be found in tabular form in GarcíaCasco et al (2013). The identification codes employed are those used in that paper.…”

“…To ensure correct interpretation of the AGWGI value obtained by NIRS prediction, the mean representative spectrum for each study batch of animals (all batches described by GarcíaCasco et al 2013, although some of them did not have an AGWGI reference value) was evaluated using the best prediction NIRS model described in section 3.1.…”

“…The best NIRS model was applied to a set of external samples (N = 108) drawn from various The batch identification labels refer to those described by GarcíaCasco et al (2013). AGWGI prediction was obtained with the best model reported in section 3.1.…”

Determination of Fatty Acids and Stable Carbon Isotopic Ratio in Subcutaneous Fat to Identify the Feeding Regime of Iberian Pigs

“…3,4 Analysis of FAs is of great interest in the meat industry because of the technological, nutritional, and sensory aspects resulting from their composition. Nevertheless, the determination of FAs in the subcutaneous tissue related with the feeding regime of pigs has given rise to an increase of prepared feeds defined by a composition of FAs similar to that in acorns.…”

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

“…Owing to the high prices that consumers can pay for this type of product characterized by traditional feeding, fraudulent practices have increased over recent years. In order to protect consumers and differentiate feeding categories, several analytical methods have been developed . One example of these is the use of γ ‐ and α ‐tocopherol quantification .…”