LOW LIPIDS, CLA FORTIFIED DIETS FED TO GROWING-FINISHING HEAVY PIGS: EFFECTS ON SUBCUTANEOUS FAT FATTY ACID COMPOSITION

Growing- finishing heavy pigs were fed diets containing different amounts of ether extract. Control diet (C) were based on corn (50%), whereas D diet were based on degermed corn and was fortified in the finishing period with conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Rearing, slaughtering and jointing performances did not show any difference. Diet D increased the fatty acid saturation of the thighs covering subcutaneous fat; palmitic and stearic acid percentages increased, oleic and linoleic percentages and Iodine number decreased. Sensory evaluation of ham covering fat diet showed fats firmer and less oily for diet D vs diet C. The onset of "cured fat" smell was delayed in diet D hams.