Effect of different Duroc line sires on carcass composition, meat quality and dry-cured ham acceptability

Carcasses of 399 malignant hyperthermia gene free pigs from crosses sired by three types of Duroc (Virgen de la Fuente, DU1; Diputación de Teruel, DU2; DanBred, DU3) were analyzed for carcass and meat quality. Carcass leanness and fat parameters were measured at the last rib and at the space between the 3rd and 4th last ribs counting from the last one. Weights, pH, electrical conductivity, colour and intramuscular fat were also measured. A sample of 133 legs per cross were processed by dry-curing. The ham portion including Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus muscles was evaluated for instrumental texture and colour, biochemical and sensory analyses and acceptability (trained panel and consumers). DU3 carcasses were well conformed but lean. DU1 carcasses had a lower conformation but higher marbling. DU2 carcasses were intermediate. Dry-cured hams from DU1-sired pigs had a higher overall acceptability, although fat content influenced a consumers group negatively. Leaner DU3 hams had the lowest acceptability.