Linseed supplementation in the diet of fattening pigs: Effect on the fatty acid profile of different pork cuts

Linseed supplementation improves the fatty acid (FA) profile of meat, primarily by increasing α-linolenic acid (ALA). Pork is one of the most consumed meats, though the high level of saturated FA, therefore, a change of the FA profile is needed to improve the health properties. The aim of this work was to study the influence of extruded linseed supplementation on the FA profile in 5 different pork cuts, increasing their nutraceutical properties. Sixty pigs were divided into two groups, which were fed two different diets: control (C) and experimental (L, 8% supplementation with extruded flaxseed). Five cuts were sampled: backfat (Bf), bacon (B), Boston shoulder (Bs), ham lean part (Hl) and ham fatty part (Hf). The L diet reduced fat content in Hf (−6%) and B (−11%), while the other cuts did not show differences. Moreover, L group showed a higher level of n-3 PUFA (approx. 9-fold), with a significant reduction in the n-6/n-3 from 20 to 2.5. In cuts rich in fat (Bf, B and Hf) of L group, the level of n-3 PUFA was higher than the thresholds set by EU to obtain the claim “Source of omega-3 fatty acids”. In contrast, the lean cuts (Hl and Bs) did not exceed the threshold of n-3 PUFA required to obtain the claim, as consequence of the low level of fat. The results demonstrated that a diet with 8% extruded linseed enhanced the nutraceutical quality of pork meat.