Edible offal quality of Swallow-Belly Mangalica pigs reared under an intensive production system Investigations on pigs slaughtered at 100 kg live weight

Abstract

The physical characteristics (pH(24h) and CIEL *a*b* values) and proximate (moisture, protein, total fat, total ash content) and mineral (K, P, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn) composition were determined in tongue, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidney, brain and spinal cord belonging to Swallow-Belly Mangalica pigs reared under an intensive production system and slaughtered at 100 kg live weight. The type of edible offal had a significant effect (P lt 0.001) on all investigated traits. Tongue had the lowest pH(24h), moisture, total ash and P content. The highest content of Mg and lowest ClEb* value and K content were found in heart. Lungs had the highest pH(24h), ClEa* and ClEb* values, and the lowest Mg and Mn contents. Protein, Zn, Cu and Mn contents were the highest, and Na and Ca contents were the lowest in liver. Spleen had the highest moisture, K and Fe contents, and the lowest CIEL* (darkest offal) value, total fat and Cu content. The highest content of Na was found in kidney. The lightest color (CIEL* value), the highest content of total fat, total ash, P and Ca, and the lowest ClEa* value and content of protein, Fe and Zn, were found in spinal cord.