Journal of Animal Science, Vol 76, Issue 1 104-109, Copyright © 1998 by American Society of Animal Science

JOURNAL ARTICLE

The effect of dietary magnesium aspartate supplementation on pork quality

D. N. D'Souza, R. D. Warner, B. J. Leury and F. R. Dunshea
Victorian Institute of Animal Science, Agriculture Victoria, Werribee, Australia.

Large White x Landrace boars (n = 48) were used to determine the effect of dietary magnesium aspartate supplementation (MgAsp) on subsequent stress and meat quality indicators. Dietary MgAsp supplementation increased plasma magnesium levels compared with pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed the MgAsp-supplemented diet had lower norepinephrine concentrations at slaughter than pigs fed the control diet. Pigs fed the MgAsp-supplemented and the control diet had similar glycogen concentrations in the longissimus thoracis (LT) and biceps femoris (BF) muscle, whereas pigs fed the MgAsp-supplemented diet had lower lactic acid in the LT and BF muscle compared to pigs fed the control diet. Negative handling of pigs before slaughter reduced muscle glycogen in the LT and the BF muscle and increased the lactic acid levels in the LT and BF muscle compared to when pigs were minimally handled at the abattoir. Comparison of meat quality traits indicates that MgAsp supplementation to pigs raised the muscle pH in the LT muscle at 40 min and 24 h after slaughter. Pigs that were fed the MgAsp-supplemented diet had lower percentage of drip loss, lower surface lightness L, and had no PSE carcasses compared to pigs fed the control diet. Also, pigs that were fed the control diet and negatively handled at the abattoir before slaughter had the highest percentage of drip loss and incidence of PSE compared to other treatment groups. The results indicate that dietary MgAsp supplementation to pigs can significantly improve ultimate meat quality and reduce the incidence of PSE meat.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. Peeters, B. Driessen, and R. Geers Influence of supplemental magnesium, tryptophan, vitamin C, vitamin E, and herbs on stress responses and pork quality J Anim Sci, July 1, 2006; 84(7): 1827 - 1838. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. R. Frederick, E. van Heugten, and M. T. See Effects of pig age at market weight and magnesium supplementation through drinking water on pork quality J Anim Sci, June 1, 2006; 84(6): 1512 - 1519. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. R. Frederick, E. van Heugten, D. J. Hanson, and M. T. See Effects of supplemental magnesium concentration of drinking water on pork quality J Anim Sci, January 1, 2006; 84(1): 185 - 190. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Peeters, A. Neyt, F. Beckers, S. De Smet, A. E. Aubert, and R. Geers Influence of supplemental magnesium, tryptophan, vitamin C, and vitamin E on stress responses of pigs to vibration J Anim Sci, July 1, 2005; 83(7): 1568 - 1580. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. K. Apple, E. B. Kegley, C. V. Maxwell Jr., L. K. Rakes, D. Galloway, and T. J. Wistuba Effects of dietary magnesium and short-duration transportation on stress response, postmortem muscle metabolism, and meat quality of finishing swine J Anim Sci, July 1, 2005; 83(7): 1633 - 1645. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. Sahin, M. Onderci, K. Sahin, G. Cikim, and O. Kucuk Magnesium Proteinate Is More Protective than Magnesium Oxide in Heat-Stressed Quail J. Nutr., July 1, 2005; 135(7): 1732 - 1737. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. K. Apple, W. J. Roberts, C. V. Maxwell, C. B. Boger, T. M. Fakler, K. G. Friesen, and Z. B. Johnson Effect of supplemental manganese on performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing swine J Anim Sci, November 1, 2004; 82(11): 3267 - 3276. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. R. Frederick, E. van Heugten, and M. T. See Timing of magnesium supplementation administered through drinking water to improve fresh and stored pork quality J Anim Sci, May 1, 2004; 82(5): 1454 - 1460. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]