Content of polyamines in by-products of slaughter pigs

The concentrations of putrescine, spermidine and spermine were assessed in various by-products of slaughtered pigs (Pietrain x Landrace breed, with a carcass weight of 90-105 kg). A total of 210 samples of muscular tissues (heart, tongue, diaphragm and esophagus) and inner organs (liver, kidney, spleen, lung, salivary gland and pancreas) were tested. Polyamine concentrations in non-skeletal Muscles of pigs were similar to the polyamine concentrations reported for skeletal muscle. Inner organs, however, were characterized by approximately three times higher polyamine concentrations. These data can be useful to assess the alimentary polyamine exposure of humans or pets. The median spermidine: spermine ratio (weight base) was >0.1, and, thus, higher than that observed in skeletal muscles. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.