Effects of dietary vitamin D3, vitamin E, and magnesium supplementation on pork quality

Meat quality traits and palatability characteristics were evaluated on 240 barrows and gilts subjected to one of eight dietary regimens: (1) control (no supplement), (2) vitamin D-3(D-3) (3) vitamin E (E), (4) magnesium (Mg), (5) vitamins D-3 and E (D-3/E), (6) vitamin D-3 and magnesium (D-3/Mg), (7) vitamin E and magnesium (E/Mg), and (8) vitamins D-3 and E, and magnesium (D-3/E/Mg). Barrows supplemented with D-3/E/Mg had the highest (P > 0.05) ultimate pH. Those supplemented with E had a higher ultimate pH than those supplemented with D-3/Mg or the control. Gilts supplemented with Mg had the highest ultimate pH of all of the gilts while those supplemented with D3 had the lowest. Barrows supplemented with Mg or E had more marbling than those supplemented with D-3 or D/E. Gilts supplemented with Mg had the most marbling when compared to other gilts. At 48 h postmortem, no differences due to dietary treatment were observed in L*, a* or b* value, drip loss or purge loss. At 14 days postmortem, no differences due to diet existed in sensory characteristics. Results suggest that supplementation of swine diets with some dietary supplement combinations of containing Mg may have some potential benefit for increasing ultimate pH. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.