Impact of protein nutrition of young pigs on the quality and safety of products

Abstract

Goal. To find out the influence of protein nutrition of young pigs for their cultivation in the III zone of radioactive contamination on the quality and safety of products, the longest muscle of the back and liver. Methods. The study was conducted during 2023–2024 on pigs of a large white breed by the method of balanced groups. The specific activity of 137Cs in feed and products was determined on a SEG-0,5 gamma-radiometer. Preparation of samples of plant and animal origin to determine the presence of heavy metals in their composition was carried out by dry mineralization. Quantitative elemental analysis was carried out by atomic absorption spectrometry. Transition factors (TF) of heavy metals in the chain “diet — products (muscle tissue and liver)” were calculated by the formula KP = Chmp/Chmd × 100, where Chmp — content of heavy metals in animal products, mg/kg; Chmd — content of heavy metals in the daily diet of animals, mg. Results. It was established that the 137Cs and heavy metals (Pb, Cd) available in the feed accumulated mainly in the longest muscle of the back and liver of pigs. Optimization of animal protein nutrition with the help of various high-protein feeds affected the amount of heavy metals and the intensity of their transition into products. During these studies, the content of 137Cs and Cd in the muscle tissue and liver of pigs was below the regulatory requirements, while the amount of Pb in the longest muscle of the back exceeded the maximum permissible concentration by 2.0–3.5 times. Conclusions. Balancing the diet of pigs by digestible protein through the use of torn legumes had a positive effect on the quality of products, helped to reduce the concentration of 137Cs, Pb, and Cd in the longest muscle of the back by 3.2–11.0%, 24.0–42.9, and 52.0–68.0%, respectively. At the same time, the transition coefficients of heavy metals into the muscle tissue of the young animals of the experimental groups were 1.8-6.9% abs. lower than in control animals.