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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2018, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (3): 98-107.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2017309

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The effects of linolenic acid content and composition of feed on the growth and meat quality of finishing pigs

LI Huan-huan1,2, SHI Ying-hua1,2, ZHANG Xiao-xia3, LIU Xiao1,2, JIA Ze-tong1,2, WANG Cheng-zhang1,2,*   

  1. 1.College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China;
    2.Henan Key Laboratory of Innovation and Utilization of Grassland Resources, Zhengzhou 450002, China;
    3.Forage and Feed Station of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450008, China;
  • Received:2017-07-18 Revised:2017-11-13 Online:2018-03-20 Published:2018-03-20

Abstract: The objective of this study was to explore the effects of different linolenic acid levels and composition of feed on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality of finishing pigs. 900 Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire finishing pigs, about 60 kg live weight, were divided into five treatments, with 3 replicates of each treatment and 60 pigs in each replicate using a random block design. Five treatment groups were fed a basic diet (control), 10% alfalfa meal, 20% alfalfa meal, soybean oil supplemented (linolenic acid level is consistent with 10% alfalfa meal group), and linseed oil supplemented group (linolenic acid level is consistent with 20% alfalfa group), respectively. The experiment was conducted for 67 days. The daily weight gain of 10% alfalfa meal group was significantly higher than those of 20% alfalfa meal group and linseed oil group. Lean meat content of the pigs from the two alfalfa meal groups was higher than those from the other 3 groups, however, their dressing percentage were lower. The eye muscle area of the control group was lower than all other groups; the 10% alfalfa meal group has the highest eye muscle area. Marbling and meat texture of the two alfalfa meal groups was better than that of the both of soybean oil and flax oil group. Compared with the control group, the saturated fatty acid (including palmitic acid and stearic acid) contents of the pigs from the four experimental groups were reduced, while the polyunsaturated fatty acid (including linoleic acid and linolenic acid) contents were increased; and the linolenic acid content in the meat of alfalfa meal fed pigs was higher than those supplemented with plant oils. These results showed that adding 10% alfalfa meal to the diet of pigs improved meat yield and quality and was more effective than supplementation with plant oils.