Effect of mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids on muscle cholesterol level in fattening pigs
The effect of supplementing fattening pigs with oils differing in MUFA (monounusaturated fatty acids) and PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) level addition for fatteners diets on the cholesterol content of m. longissimus was investigated. In a feeding trial with 48 crossbred pigs [? ($ White Polish Large x S Polish Landrace) x <$ Pietrain] randomly assigned to four treatments groups of 12 animals each (6 gilts and 6 barrows), dietary supplements of 3% maize, sunflower or linseed oil in the experimental groups and of 3% lard in the control group were applied. Total cholesterol in the longissimus muscle of linseed oil supplemented pigs was found to decrease significantly (PO.01) compared to the lard-fed pigs (60.75 vs. 71.37 mg/100 g of fresh tissue). Similar tendencies for reduced cholesterol level in longissimus muscle of sunflower and maize oil supplemented pigs were also noted. The production of pork with reduced total cholesterol seems to be important in terms of consumer health and culinary value.