The fatty acid and phospholipid composition of Longissimus dorsi muscle from pietrain and large white pigs

Abstract An examination was made of the fatty acid and phospholipid composition of longissimus dorsi muscle from Pietrain and Large White pigs. The neutral lipid fraction from Pietrain muscle had a more unsaturated fatty acid composition possibly because of a reduced rate of intramuscular fat deposition in these pigs. The phospholipid content of muscle and muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum was similar in both breeds. The fatty acid composition of phospholipid and the concentrations of individual phospholipids were also similar. Differences in the lipid composition of muscle between the breeds appear to reflect a reduced capacity for carcass fat deposition in Pietrains rather than the propensity of pigs of this breed to produce muscle which is pale, soft and exudative (p.s.e.).