Carbon stable isotopes, fatty acids and the use of NIRS to differentiate IBERIAN pigs

Abstract

[EN] This study explores the viability of the application of Near Infrared Spectrometry (NIR) for the rapid prediction of the ratio of 13C/12C stable isotopes and fatty acid composition in Iberian pigs. The potential use of this technique for distinguishing samples according to the duration of the montanera period was also studied. Subcutaneous fat samples from 50% and 100% Iberian pigs allowed to feed freely during different montanera periods were analyzed: 24 biopsies were taken prior to the montanera and 106 samples were taken after this feeding period. The results show significant correlations between δ13C (‰) and several fatty acids. Furthermore, it is possible to differentiate samples taken from pigs reared using different feeding regimes by analyzing the data obtained from the NIR spectra or by applying an Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) on data on δ13C (‰) and fatty acids in subcutaneous fat.