Fat quality in the indigenous Krškopolje pig reared in an enriched environment

The search for fat composition and content that is favourable in intramuscular fat (IMF) for fresh meat quality and at the same time in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SCF) for processed meat products, within the same breed, is reflected in the growing interest in native pig breeds. The aim of this study was to determine the fatty acid composition of the IMF of M. longissimus dorsi (LD) and adjacent SCF from the Slovenian indigenous Krškopolje pig. The type of fat from the 42 Krškopolje pig significantly affected the proportions of 29 of the 35 fatty acids measured here. The SCF contained higher proportions of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and correspondingly less monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) than the IMF. Taking the extremes, the IMF at 6–10 % of the LD had higher proportions of SFA and MUFA and less PUFA than the IMF at 2–3 %. The thicker SCF (57–67 mm) was higher in SFA and lower in PUFA than thinner (30–40 mm). Sex and age also affected fatty acid composition; the fat from barrows was higher in MUFA and lower in PUFA than that from gilts, and with increasing age, MUFA content increased.