Effect of α-tocopheryl acetate supplementation and the extensive feeding of pigs on the volatile aldehydes during the maturation of Iberian ham

The effect of feeding regime-free-range reared on acorn and pasture, or in confinement with and without the incorporation of 100 mg/kg alpha-tocopheryl acetate to pig mixed feeds-on volatile aldehyde content in Biceps femoris muscle throughout the ripening of Iberian ham was studied. Saturated aldehydes from 4 to 10 carbon chain and two diunsaturated aldehydes, 2,4-nonadienal and 2,4-decadienal, were found in ham samples. Volatile aldehyde evolution was not affected by feeding regime throughout ripening of hams. Volatile aldehyde content and individual aldehydes rose markedly from Day 0 to Day 210 (p < 0.05), and afterwards decreased to Day 700 (p < 0.05). Both alpha-tocopheryl acetate supplementation and feeding on acorn and pasture significantly decreased the total and individual aldehydes in Biceps femoris samples at Days 0, 210 and 700 (p < 0.05) in comparison with muscle samples from pigs fed the non-supplemented diet.