The interaction between ractopamine supplementation, porcine somatotropin and moisture infusion on pork quality

Ninety six crossbred pigs were used in a 4 × 2 × 2 experiment to determine the influence of management strategy, moisture infusion and ageing on pork quality. The treatments were i) management strategy (MS) during the last 28 days pre-slaughter (Control: conventional diet; Ractopamine (Rac): porcine somatotropin (pST); and combined (Rac + pST): Rac for 28 days and pST for the final 14 days), ii) moisture infusion (MI) (0% and 10%) and iii) ageing period (24 h and 7 days). L* was decreased by pST and Rac + pST, followed by Rac and then the Control MS. Shear force was increased by Rac and Rac + pST but not by either pST or the Control MS. MI decreased L* and shear force while ageing for 7 days increased L* and yellowness, and decreased drip loss and WB shear force. MI or ageing for 7 days improved sensory pork quality. The results from this experiment indicated that as expected MI and ageing can be used to improve pork quality.