TRIGLYCERIDE COMPOSITION OF FRESH HAM FAT FROM IBERIAN PIGS PRODUCED WITH DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF ANIMAL NUTRITION

A method based on triglyceride composition for evaluating the nutritio n received by Iberian pigs (Ib) is presented. Triglycerides were extra cted with chloroform from subcutaneous fat of fresh ham and triglyceri de percentages were determined by reverse-phase HPLC with a light scat tering detector. The main triglycerides identified were: POO, POS, OOO , POL, OOL, POP and POS (P, palmitic; S, stearic; O, oleic; L, linolei c). Montanera is a nutrition procedure for Iberian pigs based, during the last 2 or 3 months of life, on acorn fruits in a semi- or complete extensive mode. The intensity of montanera diet, which produces the m ost appreciated cured hams, was evaluated. Four groups of animals with different feeding systems were studied: (I) Ib produced by montanera exclusively; (II) Ib montanera supplemented with mixed feeds (850 g/da y); (III) Ib montanera supplemented with mixed feeds (250 g/day); and (IV) Ib mixed feeds only. Significant differences were obtained betwee n Iberian pigs with different intensities of montanera for triolein (O OO) and OOL. The OOL/SOO and OOO/SOO ratio indices showed clear differ ences between the four groups studied. The method was easy to apply an d did not need saponification and the formation of methyl esters. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.