L. Lara

Effects of dietary protein content and feeding level on carcass characteristics and organ weights of Iberian pigs growing between 50 and 100 kg live weight

The effects of dietary protein content and level of feeding on carcass characteristics and organ weights were studied in castrated male Iberian pigs growing from 50 to 100 kg live weight (LW). Animals were offered four diets providing 145, 120, 95 and 70 g ideal crude protein (CP) per kg dry matter (DM) and 13·94, 14·29, 14·56 and 14·83 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per kg DM, respectively. Three levels of feeding were assayed: 0·60, 0·80 and 0·95 of ad libitum intake. The pigs were slaughtered at 100 kg LW. Daily gain in carcass (carcass gain, g/day) and protein deposition (PD, g/day) in this component attained 76·2% and 78·8% of whole-body average daily gain and PD, respectively. Carcass gain improved with each decrease in dietary CP from 145 up to 120 g/kg DM and then levelled off. A small but significant effect of dietary CP on carcass composition was observed, due to an enhanced fat deposition in pigs fed the lowest protein content diet. Mean values of protein, fat, ash and water contents in the carcass were 101·8, 522·7, 27·6 and 353·7 g/kg respectively. PD in the eviscerated carcass was not affected significantly by dietary protein level but tended to reach a maximum value with the diet that provided 95 g CP per kg DM: 55·7 g/day at the highest feeding level assayed. Carcass energy retention (MJ/day) increased significantly ( P P P P

Response analysis of the Iberian pig growing from birth to 150 kg body weight to changes in protein and energy supply1

A total of 251 growing-finishing Iberian (IB) pigs, 32 of which were suckling piglets, were used in 5 separate sets of trials. The comparative slaughter procedure was used to determine nutrient and energy retention at several stages of growth from birth to 150 kg BW. A factorial arrangement was used within each set of trials, involving several concentrations of ideal protein in the diets as 1 factor and 2 or 3 levels of feed intake as the other. The main objective of these studies was to derive the optimal protein-to-energy ratio in the diet to allow for the expression of maximum protein deposition rates. The effect of feed restriction on growth performance, protein deposition, and fat deposition was also assessed. According to allometric equations, empty BW (EBW) was related to whole body components or total chemical constituents of empty body mass (P < 0.001). For pigs receiving solid feed, highly statistically significant multiple regression equations were constructed, which derived nutrient (g/kg) or energy (MJ/kg) composition as a function of EBW, dietary protein-to-energy ratio, and level of feeding (P < 0.001). In pigs offered adequate protein-to-energy diets, ADG at each stage of production was predicted as a function of the average BW and feeding level (P < 0.001). It was observed that the estimates of ME required for maintenance and net efficiency of utilization of ME for growth change were within rather narrow ranges throughout the growth stages studied. Preferred values (413 kJ/kg BW(0.75) × d(-1) and 0.593 for ME(m) and k(g), respectively) were obtained by regressing total energy retention (kJ/kg BW(0.75) × d(-1)) against ME intake (kJ/kg BW(0.75) × d(-1)). A multiple-regression approach revealed that in the IB pig, ME costs for protein deposition and fat deposition reach 60 and 62 kJ/g, which is considerably greater than in conventional or lean pig genotypes. In the IB pig, the maximum daily rate of protein deposition (PD(max), g) seemed to follow a linear-plateau shape with a breaking point at 32.5 kg BW, beyond which PD(max) remained at an average rate of 75 g × d(-1). The marginal efficiency of body protein deposition was estimated at each growth stage. In pigs fed on optimal or suboptimal protein-to-energy diets, the relationship between PD and ME intake declined, following a curvilinear pattern with increasing BW; thus, implying relative increases in lipid gain as BW increased.

Characterization of Arbequina virgin olive oils produced in different regions of Brazil and Spain: Physicochemical properties, oxidative stability and fatty acid profile.

Production of virgin olive oil is beginning in Brazil. This paper analyzes the characteristics of the EVOO Arbequina from Brazil in comparison with Spanish Arbequina from different regions. Quality parameters, oxidative stability, pigments, colour and fatty acid profile were assessed, and relationships with geographic and climatic conditions were studied. All the samples presented good quality and met EU standards for extra-virgin olive oil, but there were significant differences between regions and countries for many of the parameters evaluated. Major differences between Brazilian and Spanish samples were observed for free acidity and colour of the oils, as well as minor variations in the fatty acid profile. The colour differences were related to rainfall, whereas the fatty acid content was strongly influenced by altitude and temperature. These results highlight the fact that geographic area and environmental factors influence the characteristics of Arbequina oil and play an important role in newly introduced cultivars.

Influence of betaine and conjugated linoleic acid on development of carcass cuts of Iberian pigs growing from 20 to 50 kg body weight

Twenty Iberian gilts (20 kg body weight, BW) were fed diets containing no betaine or conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (Control), 0.5% betaine, 1% CLA, or 0.5% betaine+1% CLA. Additionally, 5 pigs were killed at 20 kg BW for the initial points of the allometric equations. At 50 kg BW, left semicarcasses were cut into primal cuts, hams and shoulders trimmed and dissected. CLA alone did not affect any analyzed parameter. Betaine increased (23 and 21%, respectively) the yield of shoulder butt and spine and decreased allometric growth coefficient of belly and backfat, compared to Control diet. Tenderloins and trimmed hams of pigs fed CLA+betaine diet developed later and were heavier (22 and 5%, respectively) than Control pigs. Also, leaf fat developed earlier and had lighter weight (32%). Furthermore, pigs fed CLA+betaine diet had heavier lean (5%) and fat free lean (6%) of shoulders compared to Control pigs.

Characterization of Fatty Acid Profile of Argan Oil and Other Edible Vegetable Oils by Gas Chromatography and Discriminant Analysis

Virgin argan oil is an emergent oil that is being introduced into specialized international markets as a healthy and luxury food. In order to compare the fatty acid composition of argan oil with that of the eleven other vegetable edible oils, a combination of gas chromatography as analytical technique and multivariate discriminant analysis was applied. This analysis takes into account the conjoint effect of all the variables analyzed in the discrimination between oils and also shows the contribution of each variable to oils characterization. The model correctly classified 100% oil samples. According to the fatty acid composition, argan oil showed closest similarity firstly with sesame oil and secondly with high oleic sunflower oil. Olive oil was close to avocado oil and almond oil, followed by argan oil. Thus, similarities and differences between vegetable oils based on their fatty acid profile were established by the application of multivariate discriminant analysis. This method was proven to be a useful tool to study the relationships between oils according to the fat composition and to determine the importance of the fatty acid variables on the oils classification.

Growth of body components and carcass composition of Iberian pigs of 10 to 150 kg body weight as affected by the level of feeding and dietary protein concentration

A total of 211 growing-finishing Iberian (IB) pigs from 4 separate and independent sets of trials were slaughtered at several stages of growth from 10 to 150 kg BW to determine growth and development of chemical and physical components of the cold eviscerated carcass (CC; without head, feet, and tail). Within each set of trials, a factorial arrangement of treatments, involving several concentrations of ideal protein in the diets as 1 factor and 2 or 3 levels of feed intake as the other, was used. The main objective of the present study was to provide information on the relative growth of physical and chemical components of the CC of IB pigs, which differed because of the dietary treatment imposed, involving a wide range of protein-to-energy ratios and feeding levels. Allometric relationships (P < 0.001) were established between the weight of a chemical component in the CC and empty BW or CC weight. Irrespective of the adequacy of the dietary protein-to-energy ratio, the growth coefficient for CC weight relative to empty BW was >1 (P < 0.001), whereas those for protein, water, and ash relative to empty BW or CC weight were <1 (P < 0.001). In contrast, relative growth coefficients >1 (P < 0.001) were obtained for fat mass and total energy, reflecting the increase in fat relative content that occurs with increasing weight. Multiple-regression equations (P < 0.001) were developed using a stepwise procedure, which estimates the chemical (g/kg) or energy (MJ/kg) composition of CC as a function of empty BW, dietary protein-to-energy ratio, and feeding level, expressed as a multiple of the ME required for maintenance. It is concluded that even if the pattern of developmental growth for the IB pig may show some similarities (increased fat content or decreased proportional weight of some primal cuts with BW or age) with that observed for pigs of different genetic background, relevant differences were detected. They are related to a much smaller relative size of the IB pig lean tissues and cuts, their slower rates of growth, and the increased total body fat, with marked changes in its distribution among depots. Consequently, relationships obtained for lean or conventional genotypes are not applicable to the IB pig.

Combination of Analytical and Chemometric Methods as a Useful Tool for the Characterization of Extra Virgin Argan Oil and Other Edible Virgin Oils. Role of Polyphenols and Tocopherols.

Analysis of phenolic profile and tocopherol fractions in conjunction with chemometrics techniques were used for the accurate characterization of extra virgin argan oil and eight other edible vegetable virgin oils (olive, soybean, wheat germ, walnut, almond, sesame, avocado, and linseed) and to establish similarities among them. Phenolic profile and tocopherols were determined by HPLC coupled with diode-array and fluorescence detectors, respectively. Multivariate factor analysis (MFA) and linear correlations were applied. Significant negative correlations were found between tocopherols and some of the polyphenols identified, but more intensely (P < 0.001) between the γ-tocopherol and oleuropein, pinoresinol, and luteolin. MFA revealed that tocopherols, especially γ-fraction, most strongly influenced the oil characterization. Among the phenolic compounds, syringic acid, dihydroxybenzoic acid, oleuropein, pinoresinol, and luteolin also contributed to the discrimination of the oils. According to the variables analyzed in the present study, argan oil presented the greatest similarity with walnut oil, followed by sesame and linseed oils. Olive, avocado, and almond oils showed close similarities.

Utilization of milk fatty acids by the suckling Iberian piglets

A total of 16 pure-bred Iberian (IB) sows, all of them suckling six piglets, were used, eight of them in each of the two consecutive trials (1 and 2). Daily milk yield and composition were determined weekly over a 34-day lactation period. Within each litter, one piglet at birth and four piglets on day 35 of life were slaughtered. Milk intake per piglet tended to be greater in trial 2 (832 v. 893 g/day; P=0.066), but piglets grew at 168±3.3 g/day, irrespective of the trial. In the IB sow milk, the linoleic (LA) : linolenic (LNA) acid ratio averaged 14.6 and 15.2 in trial 1 and trial 2, respectively. A fivefold increase in piglet body fat content was observed over lactation (P<0.001). Most of this fat (81.4%) was present in the carcass. After 34 days of lactation, whole-body relative content of palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic and oleic acids were very close to those in the milk consumed, suggesting direct deposition. Daily deposition of LA derivatives and of LNA and its derivatives was found to be extremely low (<0.02 g, on average). Moreover, some of the arachidonic acid (ARA) in tissues of the IB piglet at birth disappeared throughout the lactating period. An overall fractional deposition for total fatty acids (FA) was 0.409. Fractional oxidation (disappearance) rates were 0.939 and 0.926 for n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated FA. The overall rate of disappearance for the major non-essential FA (myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic and oleic acids), estimated as 1-the overall fractional deposition rate, was 0.546. It is concluded that the high degree of FA unsaturation, high oxidation rate of LA and LNA, and poor synthesis of ARA from LA and of docosahexaenoic acid from LNA found in the suckling piglet might increase the energy cost of whole-body fat accretion, a contributor to the observed low efficiency of use of milk energy for growth.

Effects of protein intake on rate of growth, protein deposition, and carcass traits of heavy Iberian pigs

A feeding, digestibility, and balance trial was performed to determine the effect of the incorporation of increasing amounts of soybean protein concentrate (SPC) to a basal acorn diet at a fixed energy intake on the rate of growth, protein deposition (PD), and carcass traits of heavy Iberian (IB) pigs. Sixteen purebred IB barrows (103.9 ± 0.9 kg initial BW) were used. The pigs were individually confined and allocated to 4 groups of 4 pigs each. Whole acorns were provided with slight restriction to minimize acorn kernel (AK) remains. Water was freely available. The incorporation of SPC raised the available CP from 49.1 g/kg DM (1.91 g total Lys/kg DM) in AK up to 135 g/kg DM (7.24 g total Lys/kg DM). After 72 d of trial, the pigs achieved 134.4 ± 1.3 kg BW and were then slaughtered. Average daily BW gain increased with increasing dietary CP (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.01), with a plateau at dietary CP concentrations (provided by AK and SPC) beyond 72.2 and 100 g/kg DM, respectively, for which an ADG of 449 g was achieved. There was a linear and quadratic effect of dietary CP and Lys level on the apparent digestibility of CP (linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.05) and on the efficiencies of utilization of total N (retained N/N intake; linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.001) and N apparently absorbed (retained N/apparent digestible N; linear, P < 0.05; quadratic, P = 0.067). Protein deposition ranged between −4.59 g/d in pigs not provided with SPC to 61.4 g/d in pigs fed the greatest level of SPC inclusion. The lowest daily intake of total Lys resulting in maximum PD (69.5 g/d) at the fixed level of energy intake observed (2.36 × ME maintenance requirements) was 21.0 g. Hot carcass and cold carcass weights, but not carcass yield, increased when feeding the daily ration containing 100 g SPC and leveled off thereafter (linear, P < 0.01; quadratic, P < 0.01). An average increase of 8.3% and 8.7% was obtained, respectively. The provision of SPC had no effect on back fat thickness. Primal cuts, but not yield (except for loin), increased (sirloin: linear, P < 0.05; loin: linear, P < 0.001; quadratic, P < 0.05; ham: linear, P < 0.05) or showed a tendency to increase (butt lean: linear, P = 0.068; quadratic, P = 0.077; ribs: quadratic, P = 0.067; shoulder: quadratic, P = 0.064) with the provision of dietary protein. No effect of the level of incorporation of SPC to the diet was observed on CP, total fat, total ash, and energy contents or on relative fatty acid profile of loin and sirloin.

An estimation of the protein requirements of Iberian × Duroc 50:50 crossbred growing pigs1

The effects of dietary protein content on the rates of gain and protein deposition were studied in Iberian (IB) × Duroc (DU) 50:50 barrows at 2 stages of growth [10.6 ± 0.2 (n = 28) and 60.0 ± 0.4 (n = 24) kg initial BW]. Two feeding, digestibility, and N-balance trials were performed. At each stage of growth, they were allocated in individual pens and given restrictedly (at 0.9 × ad libitum intake) one of 4 pelleted diets of similar energy concentration (13.8 to 14.5 MJ ME/kg DM), formulated to provide 4 different (ideal) CP contents (236, 223, 208, and 184 g CP/kg DM in the first trial, and 204, 180, 143, and 114 g CP/kg DM in the second trial). Feed allowance was offered in 2 daily equal meals. The average concentration of Lys was 6.59 ± 0.13 g /100 g CP for all diets. Whatever the stage of growth, average daily BW gain and gain to feed ratio were unchanged by increases in dietary CP content (477 ± 7 and 1,088 ± 20 g, and 0.475 ± 0.027 and 0.340 ± 0.113, respectively, in the first and second trial). In pigs growing from 10 to 27 kg BW, the average rate of N retention increased linearly (P < 0.01) on increasing the protein content in the diet up to a break point, so a linear-plateau dose response was observed. Pigs fed diets providing 208 to 236 g/kg DM did not differ in rate of protein deposition (PD). A maximum value of 87 (13.93 g N retained × 6.25) g PD/d was obtained when the diet supplied at least 208 g CP/kg DM. The broken-line regression analysis estimated dietary CP requirements at 211 g ideal CP (15.2 g total Lys)/kg DM. In the fattening pigs, there was a quadratic response (P < 0.01) in the rate of N retention as dietary CP content increased. Maximum N retention (18.7 g/d) was estimated from the first derivative of the function that relates the observed N retained (g/d) and dietary CP content (g/kg DM). This maximum value would be obtained by feeding a diet containing 185 g ideal CP (13.3 g total Lys)/kg DM and represents the maximum capacity of the IB × DU 50:50 pigs for protein accretion (i.e., 117 g PD/d). Consequently, cross breeding of IB dams with Duroc sires alters the metabolic response to dietary CP supply by increasing the potential of the crossbred to accrete protein and by modifying the pattern of PD response with BW.