Growth and fresh meat quality characteristics of pigs supplemented with vitamin E

Crossbred pigs (n = 30) were fed to determine the influence of supplementation with vitamin E on growth and slaughter characteristics of swine and on the quality characteristics of fresh pork. Pigs received either a control diet containing no vitamin E (CON) or a diet formulated to contain 100 mg of vitamin E/kg feed (VITE). During 84 d of feeding, feed intake and weight gain were measured every 2 wk. After the feeding period, pigs were slaughtered and the loin from the left side of each carcass was removed 4 d after death. Alpha-Tocopherol concentration and proximate composition of the longissimus muscle were determined. Loins were sliced into 10-cm sections and stored under vacuum (2 degrees C) for 0, 14, 28, and 56 d. After storage, loins were sliced into 2.54-cm chops, wrapped in polyvinyl chloride film and stored in a retail case (2 to 4 degrees C) for 5 d. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values, Hunter L, a, and b values, total plate counts, pH, purge loss, drip loss, cook loss, taste panel characteristics, and visual panel characteristics were evaluated. Growth traits, slaughter characteristics, and proximate composition did not differ (P > .05) between dietary treatment groups. Alpha-Tocopherol concentrations were greater (P < .05) and TBA values during extended retail display were less (P < .05) for VITE chops than for CON chops. Overall palatability ratings were more desirable (P < .05, at 14 d of vacuum storage) for VITE chops than for CON chops. Color measurements, sensory characteristics, total plate counts, pH, purge loss, drip loss, and cook loss were not influenced (P > .05) by vitamin E supplementation. These results indicated that at the tissue alpha-tocopherol concentrations of the present study, vitamin E supplementation of the growing-finishing diet of hogs reduced lipid oxidation in fresh pork but did not influence pork color or tissue drip loss.