Fatty Acid Composition of Subcutaneous and Intramuscular Adipose Tissue in East Balkan Pigs

The aim of this study was to provide information on the fatty acid profile of different adipose depots – subcutaneous (upper and inner backfat layers) and intramuscular (m. Longissimus dorsi) in East Balkan pigs. The animals were reared in free-range conditions and slaughtered at an average live weight of 107±1.65kg. The results of the study showed that the various adipose tissues in pigs have different lipid metabolism and hence differ in their fatty acid composition. Intramuscular fat had significantly higher content of the saturated C16:0 and C18:0 (P<0.001), as well as the C16:1 (P<0.001) than the subcutaneous fat. In regards to the content of the polyunsaturated fatty acids, the latter displayed considerably higher content of both C18:2 and C18:3 (P<0.001) in comparison to the intramuscular fat in m. Longissimus dorsi. The differences between the subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissue in the individual fatty acids determined the similar trend of change in the total content of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Significant differences between the backfat layers were detected for C16:1, C18:0 and C18:3 (P<0.001). Stearic acid (C18:0) displayed higher content of the inner, while both C16:1 and C18:3 had higher proportion in the outer backfat layer in the East Balkan pigs. Except for C20:2, the long chain polyunsaturated n-6 and n-3 fatty acids had significantly higher proportions in the intramuscular fat, however no differences were determined between the two backfat layers.