VOLATILE FATTY ACID AND LACTIC ACID CONTENT OF PIG BLOOD

Abstract

Carotid and portal blood from each of three 30-kg pigs was analysed for volatile fatty acids and lactic acid. Propionic, acetic, and formic acids were found in all samples. Butyric acid was not detected in carotid blood and only in the portal blood from two of the pigs. Average molar proportions of the individual acids in portal blood were butyric, 0.5; propionic, 1.7; acetic, 16.3; formic, 24.6; and lactic, 56.9% with a total concentration of 1.06 mmole per 100 ml blood. A possible energy contribution by acetic, propionic, and butyric acids in the pig was calculated to be between 184 and 330 kcal daily or 15 and 28% of the maintenance energy requirement. Tests on blood preparation and duration of frozen storage demonstrated the advisability of using a deproteinized blood filtrate when storage periods of up to 12 days were necessary.