Boar taint compounds in different tissues in the pig
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Research partners: University of Bristol
Sponsors: BPEX
Project duration: July – September 2008
This studentship asked the question: are concentrations of the boar taint compounds skatole and androstenone significantly different between the various fat tissues in the pig carcase? The most common adipose tissue site sampled for the analysis of boar taint is the subcutaneous back fat. When consuming pork, however, fat is consumed from other fat tissues in the carcase. This study was aimed at comparing the levels of the boar taint compounds, androstenone and skatole, in different fat depots.
In the first part of the study, involving 19 pigs, there was a good correlation between the level of taint compounds in the backfat and those in a composite sample of fat depots from across the carcase. This shows that measurement of boar taint compounds in the back fat give a good indication of overall levels in the carcase. It was found that the back fat level did overestimate the overall carcase level of taint compounds in those pigs with higher levels.
In the second study, involving 10 pigs, there was no significant difference between boar taint concentrations measured at the dorsal subcutaneous site and at three sites in the shoulder joint. This again shows that the dorsal subcutaneous site provides a reliable prediction of overall taint levels.
The project demonstrated that a consistent sample site is necessary when comparing boar taint between pigs and the back fat is a suitable site, reflecting the overall level in the pig, while slightly overestimating levels.