Review article

PRODUCTION OF MEAT FROM ENTIRE MALE PIGS

Emilija Cimerman ; Savjetodavna služba, Savska cesta 41, 10000 Zagreb
Goran Kušec ; 2Poljoprivredni fakultet u Osijeku, Kralja Petra Svačića 1d, 31000 Osijek
B. Lukić ; 2Poljoprivredni fakultet u Osijeku, Kralja Petra Svačića 1d, 31000 Osijek
Ivona Djurkin Kušec ; 2Poljoprivredni fakultet u Osijeku, Kralja Petra Svačića 1d, 31000 Osijek
Kristina Budimir ; 2Poljoprivredni fakultet u Osijeku, Kralja Petra Svačića 1d, 31000 Osijek
T. Koturić ; Savjetodavna služba, Savska cesta 41, 10000 Zagreb

Abstract

Production of entire male pigs in comparison with castrate boars is more lucrative and profitable because entire male pigs reflect better meat quality traits with a higher amount of muscle tissue and protein content compared to castrate pigs. One of the key problems in the meat sensory quality of the entire boars is the unpleasant
and pungent smell and taste that is unacceptable to most of the consumers. Testicular steroid hormones, androstenone and exploded L-tryptophan, skatole, are the main compounds responsible for such smell and taste of pork. The level of androstenone in boars’ tissue is associated with sexual maturity while the level of skatole depends on environmental conditions and diet. Reduction of unpleasant smell and
taste of the meat is possible to achieve by feeding the animals with cereals, chicory and hydrolyzing tannin. Boars for the slaughter farmed in the organic way do not provide a reliable reduction of the unpleasant smell and taste of the meat. Stress during the transport contributes to the increase of the androstenone and skatole in the
adipose tissue. There are diverse opinions in the case of genetic influences, where on the one hand it is not possible to prove and demonstrate the effect of genotype on unpleasant smells and taste of the meat, and on the other hand it is likely that the selection results contribute to the reduction of this important meat sensory trait of the
entire male pigs. In many countries castration of the boars has decreased high levels of androstenone and skatole and also unpleasant taste and odor of meat has been reduced to the lowest levels. Due to the animal welfare it is expected castration in the
countries of European Union will be repealed from January, 1. 2018. It is therefore of great importance to find other solutions related to these problems.

Keywords

entire boars; androstenone; skatole; unpleasant smell and tast of the meat (boar taint)

Hrčak ID:

128024

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/128024

Publication date:

2.10.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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