Effect of indigenous micro-organism treatment of deep litter floor on nutrient content of pork

Abstract

Pork meat consumption and its products are constrained by high fat content, particularly high composition of saturated fatty acids. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of indigenous micro-organism (IMO) treatment of deep litter floor, on nutrient content in pork of pigs raised on IMO treated and untreated deep litter floor. Twenty four three-months old pigs (Large White x Landrace) were raised on deep litter floor; one floor type treated with IMO solution and the control not treated. Significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in the amount of saturated, mono-unsaturated, poly-unsaturated, cis, trans and omega-6, 7 and 9 fatty acids in pork of pigs raised on IMO treated and untreated deep litter floor; with more unsaturated fatty acids in pork of pigs raised on deep litter floor without IMO treatment (63%) than pigs kept on deep litter floor with IMO (37%). Therefore, deep litter floor treatment with IMO solution does not affect nutrient contents in pork, but enhances the composition of unsaturated fatty acids. Further research should be conducted on the mechanisms by which deep litter floor whether treated or untreated with IMO solution modifies fatty acids composition in pork.