Tomographie aux rayons X pour évaluer la composition corporelle des carcasses de porcs ibériques

Computed tomography to assess body composition of Iberian pig carcasses
Iberian pigs are an autochthonous breed with a higher fat content than commercial white pigs. Computed tomography scanning allows non-destructive evaluation of carcass composition. The aim of this study was to assess, using computed tomography, the carcass composition of pure Iberian pigs and crossbreeds of Iberian pigs and white pigs to visualize differences in the distribution of fat and muscle in the anatomical regions of the ham and the loin. For this purpose, two 100% Iberian pig carcasses and four carcasses of crossbreeds of Iberian pigs (50%) were scanned with computed tomography equipment. The scanning procedure was helical, at 140 kV, 145 mA, a 512 × 512 matrix, and 10 mm thickness. Additionally, information on more than 120 carcasses of white pigs was used to obtain mean values. Images were analysed with a program purpose-built in Matlab and with VisualPork software. Results show both visually and quantitatively differences in the distribution of the volume of fat and of muscle in the three pig genotypes. The 100% Iberian carcasses had much more fat than lean. Fat and lean percentages were similar for the 50% Iberian carcasses. Finally, white pig carcasses had much less fat than lean. It can be concluded that carcass composition depends greatly on genotype and that computed tomography can visualize these differences without needing to cut carcasses.