INCLUDING CHESTNUTS AND SUGAR BEET PULP IN DIETS FOR PIGS: THE EFFECTS ON THE QUALITY OF PORK MEAT AND THE SENSORY PROPERTIES OF DRY-CURED SAUSAGE (CHORIZO GALLEGO)

ABSTRACT

This research was aimed at evaluating how the inclusion of dried chestnuts and dried sugar beet pulp in diets for pigs affected the quality of pork meat and the sensory properties of dry-cured sausage (chorizo gallego). The meat from pigs that received a diet with chestnuts and sugar beet pulp (CBP) showed lower thiobarbituric acid values and higher water-holding capacity than meat from pigs fed a conventional diet (C). Significant differences were also observed between both batches in color parameters and fatty acid composition of the meat. In the sensory analysis of chorizo, the sausages manufactured with meat from pigs fed the CBP diet were significantly better rated than those with meat from pigs fed a C diet in appearance, odor, flavor, texture and overall score.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The inclusion of dried chestnuts and dried sugar beet pulp in diets for pigs during the fattening period allowed us to recover some of the ingredients more traditionally used in the feeding of pigs. This inclusion modifies some parameters of the resulting pork meat quality; (it decreases lipid oxidation and increases water-holding capacity and polyunsaturated fatty acid content) and also improves the sensory properties of any dry-cured product made with this pork meat.