Intramuscular Fat Distribution in the Longissimus Dorsi of Paired Pork Loins

Abstract

It can be concluded from this study that extreme variation exists between the fat content of different areas of the longissintus dorsi muscle of pork carcasses. From these data one can readily see the importance of following a rigidly standardized procedure when obtaining samples for use in pork quality research. The data indicate that this standardization is probably more important than the problem of which position to use as an estimate of the composite, because on a relative basis all of the correlations are quite highly associated with the composite samples. Indications were that the size of the intramuscular fat cells was smaller in muscles containing a higher percentage of the extractable fat. Copyright © . .