The potential to detect boar tainted carcasses by using an electronic nose based on mass spectrometry

Introduction Based on a parliamentary decision, in the year 2009 castration of male piglets without anesthesia will be banned in Switzerland. Thus, pig producers are forced to search for alternatives to the common practice. Rearing intact male pigs to market weight could constitute one possible alternative solution. However, producers, retailers, and consumers are concerned about the incidence of taint in pork. Therefore, a reliable, fast, and objective method to detect carcasses with the undesirable odor is a prerequisite for boar production.