Effects of Feeding Period on Carcass and Objective Meat Quality in Crossbred Longissimus Muscle

Objectives of this study was to determine the comparisons of physico-chemical characteristics in crossbred pigs(Korean native breed × Landrace breed) by feeding periods. A total of 150 pigs were sampled from com- mercial farm, and assigned into three treatedments. Feeding peirods of T1, T2 and T3 were below 200 days, 220-220 days, over 220 days, respectively. Live weight, carcass weight and backfat thickness were sig- nificantly(P T3 > T2. Shear force values was significantly(P < 0.05) decreased by feed period increase. In fatty acids, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and saturated fatty acid(SFA) in T2 were significantly(P < 0.05) lower in T2, whereas linolenic acid, unsaturated fatty acid(UFA), essential fatty acid(EFA), UFA/SFA and EFA/SFA were significantly higher in T2 compared with other treatment. However palmitoleic acid and arachidonic acid were no significantly different with feeding periods. As a result of this study, crossbred pigs was increased live weight and carcass weight with feeding periods, and improved meat color and tenderness with feeding periods. However, final grade score was de- creased with feeding periods.