Oxidative and colour changes in meat from three lines of free-range reared Iberian pigs slaughtered at 90 kg live weight and from industrial pig during refrigerated storage

The oxidative stability and colour evolution during refrigerated storage (10 days at +4 degreesC) of Longissimus dorsi muscle from three lines of Iberian pigs and industrial genotype pigs were studied. The Iberian pigs were reared in an extensive system and fed on a commercial feed with access to pasture grazing, while industrial genotype pigs were reared in an intensive system. Fresh Longissimus dorsi of Iberian pig lines showed a more intense and redder colour, with a statistically significant higher CIE chroma and a*-value as well as a lower L*-value (P<0.05) compared with those of industrial genotype pigs. Pig genotype significantly affected the colour and lipid oxidation changes of m. Longissimus dorsi during refrigerated storage. The decrease in L*-value during the refrigerated storage was more intense in industrial pig's Longissimus dorsi than in those from Iberian pig lines. CIE a*-value decrease was more intense in 'Lampino' Iberian line and industrial Longissimus dorsi than in the other two Iberian pig lines, however CIE a*-value was significantly higher in muscles from Iberian pig lines than in muscle of industrial genotype (P < 0.05) at the end of refrigerated storage. The Iberian and industrial pig's Longissimus dorsi did not show statistically significant differences in TBA-RS values (mg MDA/kg meat) at the end of the refrigerated storage period (P > 0.05). To establish relationships between parameters measured in fresh meat and oxidation and colour changes during refrigerated storage, correlations and multiple regression models were calculated. CIE a*-values at day 10 were positively correlated with values of fresh muscles for a*, C 18:1 percentages. and negatively correlated with polyunsaturated fatty acids percentages of neutral and polar lipids. Inversely, TBA-RS values at day 10 showed a positive correlation with initial values for phospholipid content and polyunsaturated fatty acids of neutral and polar lipid fractions, while C18:1 percentage were negatively correlated. (c) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.