Effects of ground flaxseed in swine diets on pig performance and on physical and sensory characteristics and omega-3 fatty acid content of pork: I. Dietary level of flaxseed

J Anim Sci. 1995 Jul;73(7):1982-6. doi: 10.2527/1995.7371982x.

Abstract

Forty-eight barrows and gilts were fed diets containing 0 (CO), 5, 10, or 15% ground flaxseed (FS) for the final 25 d before slaughter. Flaxseed treatments did not affect any production or carcass traits (P > .10). No pork processing problems due to lack of firmness were encountered. Amounts (milligrams/gram of tissue) of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA [18:3n-3]) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA [20:5n-3]) increased (P < .01) in both backfat layers and ALA increased (P < .01) in kidney (leaf) fat after FS. Alpha-linolenic acid and EPA increased (P < .001) in the raw belly in response to FS; the effect was maintained throughout processing (P < .01) to microwaved bacon. Alpha-linolenic acid and EPA increased (P < .01, P < .05, respectively) with amount of FS in longissimus thoracis and liver. In the brain, DHA decreased (P < .05) with amount of FS. Trained panelists in triangle tests were able to identify bacon from pigs fed 10 and 15% flaxseed. Panelists could not identify various treatments in the loin tests.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain Chemistry
  • Consumer Behavior
  • Cooking
  • Dietary Fiber / standards*
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / analysis
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / metabolism
  • Eye / chemistry
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / analysis*
  • Female
  • Food Handling
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Male
  • Meat / analysis
  • Meat / standards*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / chemistry
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
  • Myocardium / chemistry
  • Seeds*
  • Swine / growth & development*
  • Swine / physiology
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / analysis
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • Dietary Fiber
  • Fatty Acids, Omega-3
  • alpha-Linolenic Acid
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid