The influence offiber size distribution of type IIB on carcass traits and meat quality in pigs
The effects of detailed characteristics such as the size and proportion of type IIBfibers inlongissimus thoracis
muscle on carcass traits and pork quality were investigated. A total of 96 pigs were classified into four groups
by the proportion of different IIBfiber sizes. Group NS (high proportion of both small- and normal-sized IIB
fibers) had a higher total number (136.4) and density (231.31) of type IIBfibers, backfat thickness (37.20 mm)
and intramuscular fat content (4.77%) than the other groups (Pb0.05), whereas Group NS had the lowest values
of cross-sectional area (3413.85μm2
) and diameter (60.15μm) of type IIBfiber among the groups (Pb0.05). Pig
muscles with higher percentage of large IIBfibers exhibit tougher, lighter and more exudative meat than pig muscles with a higher proportion of small- or normal-sized IIBfibers. Therefore, an increase in the proportion of large
IIBfibers causes poor quality of pork.
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