are constructed with fat and other components such as water and connective tissues, which are largely made up of ECM molecules (Bailey & Light, 1989). Generally, the moisture and protein contents in adipose tissues of porcine are approximately 20% and 5.0% (w/w), respectively (Resources Council, Science and Technology Agency, Japan, 2000). Therefore, additional investigation is needed to clarify the effects of these components on the heat transition in adipose tissues. On the other hand, differences of DSC curves between tissue-level and extracted fat were relatively minor rather than major peak. It was hypothesized that the thermodynamic effects of non-fat components were lower than fat in porcine adipose tissues.
In conclusion, the application of direct DSC analysis of porcine adipose tissues may be useful for simple analysis of the melting properties of pork fat because of the simplicity of the method and similarity of the shape of DSC curve between tissue-level and extracted fat. There were four characteristic temperature points and the pork fat was considered to melt over the onset temperature. Further investigation is needed to understand the full import of DSC curves and the relationship between DSC curves and sensory properties of pork, pork adipose tissues, and pork products. In addition, direct DSC analysis with more samples is needed to investigate the propriety and repeatability of the method and the relationship between the result of direct DSC and glass-capillary tube method.