Selective mobilization of fatty acids in adipose tissue of heavy pigs

Abstract

The mobilization of fatty acids during food deprivation is a selective process studied in different species (humans, rodents, birds, viverrids). The aim of this work was to study the effect of fasting on selective mobilization in commercial pigs. A total of 16 barrows (Large White × Landrace (167 kg ± 12.5 kg live weight) were subdivided into two homogeneous groups, one subjected to 12 h and the other to 60 h of fasting (fasting time) before slaughtering. For each pig inner and outer backfat layer were sampled at slaughter and at ham trimming 24 h later (sampling time). Increasing the fasting time and the sampling time after slaughter caused an increase in the amount of free fatty acids in both layers. Therefore it can be argued that during fasting lipolysis is stimulated and remains active also after slaughtering. The factors that stimulate lipolysis determine a greater mobilization of unsaturated fatty acids than saturated ones. Thus fasting time may influence the suitability of pork for processing and conservation, since free fatty acids are more suitable for oxidation than the esterified ones.

Changes in Plasma Fatty Acids, Free Amino Acids, Antioxidant Defense, and Physiological Stress by Oleuropein Supplementation in Pigs Prior to Slaughter

“…A description of the preferred use of PUFA has been given, mainly n-3 from the tissues [29]. Also, Bochicchio et al [45] found a greater MUFA content but no effects on PUFA in the fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat in 60 h-fasted pigs. This result could be explained, as in the present study, by a faster utilization of PUFA.…”

Effects of pre-slaughter fasting on antemortem skeletal muscle protein degradation levels and postmortem muscle free amino acid concentrations in broiler chickens

“…Other studies have also shown that NEFA concentrations increase in chickens that were fasted ( Langslow et al, 1970 ; Van der Wal et al, 1999 ). Previous studies have shown that blood NEFA concentration and its oxidation increased with fasting time, resulting in increased malondialdehyde ( MDA ) concentrations in plasma and muscle in pigs ( Bochicchio et al, 2015 ; Rey et al, 2020 ). Although plasma NEFA concentration in fasting groups was high, there was no significant difference in MDA concentration in the postmortem pectoralis major muscle in the present study ( Supplementary Table S1 ).…”