The effect of feeding pigs with carob pulp on meat qualitywas investigated. Nine pigswere finished on a conventional
concentrate-based diet (control), while two groups received a diet comprising of the same ingredients
with the inclusion of 8% or 15% carob pulp (Carob 8% and Carob 15%, respectively). Feeding carob-containing
diets reduced the concentration of saturated fatty acids in themuscle, increased the concentration of monounsaturated
fatty acids in meat (P b 0.01) and of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and reduced the n-6/n-3
PUFA ratio (P b 0.001). The meat underwent slow oxidative deterioration over 9 days of storage. However, the
Carob 15% treatment increased meat susceptibility to lipid oxidation across storage (P= 0.03), while the dietary
treatment did not affect meat colour stability. In conclusion, feeding pigs with carob pulp could represent a strategy,
in the Mediterranean areas, to naturally improve meat nutritional value and to promote the exploitation of
this local feed resource.