Influence of Dietary Fatty Acid and α-Tocopherol Supply on Tissue Fatty Acid Profiles, α-Tocopherol Content and Lipid Oxidation in Pigs

Unsaturated fatty acids especially n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are recognised as important components of a healthy human diets and increased intake has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (BNF, 1992). These fatty acids are susceptible to oxidation and lipid oxidation in meat may adversely affect meat quality and safety. However, tissue α-tocopherol (AT) may reduce oxidative changes. In this study, the effect of increased dietary supply of AT and unsaturated fatty acids on tissue AT content, fatty acid profiles and oxidative stability of pig muscle lipid was assessed.