The aim of the study was to determine the basic chemical composition and mineral content in the sirloin and offal of fattener pigs, taking their sex into consideration. In addition, comparative analysis of the content of chemical and mineral components in the sirloin and offal was performed. The experimental material included 24 crossbred (Polish Landrace × Polish Large White) fatteners, from which samples of sirloin (musculus longissimus lumborum), liver, heart, and kidneys were collected for the analysis. A significant effect of the sex on the fat content in the sirloin and liver and on the level of magnesium (Mg), zinc, and iron (Fe) in the sirloin was demonstrated. Significant differences were found in the basic chemical composition and mineral content between the sirloin and the offal. In comparison with the liver, the sirloin contained lower amounts of protein and fat and higher potassium and Mg contents. In turn, the offal was shown to be a rich source of sodium, calcium, and trace elements (Fe, manganese, and copper). The mean cadmium concentration in the sirloin and offal was significantly lower than the threshold values for these elements, i.e., it accounted for 26% and 6.2% (liver)–19.5% (heart) of the allowable content of this element in pork meat and offal.

The objective of the study was to analyse selected physical properties and chemical indicators of internal organs obtained from fattening pigs and Central European wild boars (Sus scrofa scrofa). Each group consisted of 12 animals. The tongue, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys were examined for physical properties, basic chemical composition, macro- and micromineral content, and fatty acid profile. The atherogenic index (AI) and the thrombogenic index (TI) were also determined. Pig offal was found to be a rich source of protein and collagen, and to contain large amounts of potassium and sodium. Liver had a high content of iron, zinc, and manganese. Pig liver and wild boar heart were characterised by favourable PUFA /SFA ratios (above 0.4%). In addition, the content of neutral and hypocholesterolemic acids (DFA ) and hypercholesterolemic acids (OFA ) in pig offal was comparable to that in pig meat. The results presented in this study provide an extensive evaluation of the nutritional quality of pig offal, which allows an increase in the scope of its use in the food industry, among others for production of offal products, including traditional and regional products that are increasingly demanded by consumers.

The aim of the study was to determine technological and consumption quality of some offal components obtained from Pulawska and Polish Landrace fattening pigs, and to analyse the eating quality of the offal products. The study material consisted of 100 fattening pigs: Pulawska (PUL) and 50 Polish Landrace (PL) pigs. The offal components were analysed for physical traits, chemical composition and energy value. Offal products were made from the offal and their physical, chemical and organoleptic parameters were evaluated. Our study showed that breed had a significant effect (p ≤ 0.05) on pH45 of the tongue, heart (PUL > PL), lungs and kidneys (PUL < PL), and on the fat content of the tongue, heart (PUL > PL), liver and kidneys (PUL < PL). A highly significant effect of breed (p ≤ 0.01) was observed for protein content of the lungs, liver (PUL < PL) and kidneys (PUL > PL), for collagen content of the kidneys (PUL < PL) and liver (PUL < PL), and for energy value (p ≤ 0.01) of the heart (PUL > PL) and liver (PUL < PL). Moreover, our results indicate that the organoleptic quality of the evaluated offal products was higher for Pulawska than Polish Landrace pigs, in particular with regard to consistency (p < 0.05) and flavour (p < 0.01) of the liver sausage.

The aim of the study was to discuss breeding of pigs of the Puławska breed, which is included in a Genetic Resources Conservation Programme, and to analyse performance parameters that are useful in domestic pig production. The Puławska breed is the oldest native breed of pig in Poland. Since 1996 it has been protected by a genetic resources conservation programme, owing to breeding traditions and the production traits characteristic of the breed. The use value of these pigs is currently at the level of maternal breeds: number of live piglets born per litter – 10.54; number of piglets reared per litter – 9.37; daily weight gains – 569 g for breeding boars and 562 g for breeding gilts; meat content – 54.6% for breeding boars and 54.9% for breeding gilts. An important element in favour of the use of this breed in domestic production of fresh pork and pork products is its meat quality parameters. The mean values for physical traits (WHC 22.42%, pH45 6.47, pH24 5.63) and chemical parameters (protein 22.70%, fat 2.65%) are characteristic of meat of normal quality. The Puławska breed can be used to produce high-quality fresh meat and meat products, including traditional and regional ones. Puławska pigs are bred and reared according to the principles of sustainable agriculture, which reduces the negative impact of pig production on the natural environment.

Głównym zadaniem hodowli świń ras zachowawczych jest utrzymanie odpowiedniego poziomu zmienności genetycznej cech użytkowych w obrę-bie niewielkich populacji aktywnych loch i knurów. Rasy te różnią się od obecnie preferowanych trendów użytkowych, jednak utrzymywane są jako rezerwa genetyczna ze względu na szereg korzystnych cech, takich jak: wysoka jakość mięsa, odporność na czynniki stresogenne, możliwość utrzymania w warunkach ekstensywnych, wysoki poziom cech macierzyńskich, łagodny temperament. Pod względem użytkowym świnie rasy puławskiej spełniają kryteria standardu hodowlanego komponentu matecznego, gdyż charakteryzują się wysoką płodnością, plennością, wczesną dojrzałością rozpłodową i dobrymi cechami macierzyńskimi. Określenie potencjału genetycznego świń rasy puławskiej, w oparciu o badania cytogenetyczne i molekularne, umożliwi doskonalenie metod selekcji, które mogą gwarantować uzyskanie większego postępu hodowlanego. Charakterystyka świń rasy puławskiej na podstawie markerów chromosomowychIstotne znaczenie dla poznania wartości genetycznej gatunku Sus scrofa domestica, a także charakterystyki genetycznej poszczególnych ras świń, ma analiza cytogenetyczna dotycząca budowy i organizacji kariotypu. Stale doskonalone techniki cytogenetyczne, wzbogacane metodami genetyki molekularnej, umożliwiają precyzyjną identyfikację mutacji chromosomowych Cytogenetic and molecular studies in conservation breeding of Pulawska breed pigs Summary The paper presents the genetic characteristics of Pulawska breed pigs carried out on the basis of cytogenetic and molecular studies. Among chromosome markers, polymorphic variants of specific chromosome structures such as centromeric heterochromatin areas (C bands) and nucleolar organizing regions (NOR bands) were taken into account. The described breed-specific tendencies concerning size polymorphism of these structures are the source of chromosome markers that are useful for identifying the linkage with genes controlling important production traits. On the other hand, molecular studies presented in this work included DNA markers of the STR and SNP type (with particular consideration of the PRL, FST, MC4R, TNNT3, MTTP and DIO3 genes), which are useful in determining the genetic background of functional traits, as well as the characteristics of the breeds for terms of genetic variation, especially conservative breeds, where it is appropriate to maintain the existing genetic diversity and intra-breed variability.