EFFECTS OF THE DIETARY MILLET (PANICUM MILIACEUM) ON SOME QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF LIVER, LONGISSIMUS DORSI AND SEMITENDINOSUS MUSCLE ON PIGS

Lavinia Idriceanu, Silvia Mironeasa, Nicoleta Aurelia Lefter, Anca Gheorghe, Mădălina Iuga, Daniela Mihaela Grigore, Mihaela Hăbeanu

Abstract
    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of 25% millet (Panicum miliaceum) as replacement of triticale on some quality characteristics of pig meat. Forty pigs Topigs hybrid (initial body weight 13.58 ± 0.37 kg) used in the trial for 30 days were assigned into two dietary treatments: control diet (M) and experimental diet (E, with 25% millet that replaces triticale from M diet). The pigs were slaughtered (n=3/group) at 81 ± 3 days (final body weight 32 ± 4.5 kg). The samples were taken from the liver, Longissimus dorsi (LD) and Semitendinosus (ST) muscle and analyzed for: pH, colour and texture profile. The pH value of the liver and texture profile of all the tissue samples from E diet were not statistically different comparing to the M diet. Pigs fed E diet had a significantly increased value of redness a* in the liver (>17%) and in the ST (>45.5%) compared to M group. The liver yellowness b* was significantly higher (>53%) in the E group compared to the M group. For all tissue samples, the shear force was significantly affected in group E compared to the M group. In conclusion, the replacement of triticale with millet could be recommended for inclusion in pigs diets, without affecting pig meat quality.