THE DISTRIBUTION OF DIETARY VITAMIN-E IN THE MUSCLES OF THE PORCINE CARCASS

The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of dietary v itamin E supplementation on tissue alpha-tocopherol levels in muscles in the porcine carcass. Pigs (n = 9), were selected at random and divi ded into three groups (n = 3) and fed diets containing 0 (basal), 20, 160 mg dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed for a period of 130 days pr ior to slaughter. After slaughter carcasses were split centrally and c hilled at 4 degrees C x 24 h. Muscles (n = 37) were identified and rem oved from the left sine of each animal for each dietary group and stor ed at -20 degrees C until required The mean alpha-tocopherol levels in polk muscle tissue were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the high-s upplemented group (160 mg alpha-tocopheryl acetate/kg of feed) compare d with the low-supplemented (20 mg/kg of feed) and basal groups (unsup plemented). In the supplemented samples, the muscles of the thoracic l imb (4.8-9.9 mg alpha-tocopherol/kg of tissue) and neck and thorax (3. 7-9.2 mg/kg) contained the greatest levels of alpha-tocopherol compare d the muscles of the pelvic limb (4-5.6 mg/kg) and back (2.5-3.5 mg/kg ). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.