Korean Journal of Agricultural Science ISSN:2466-2402(Print) 2466-2410(Online) 농업과학연구

An experiment was designed to assess ractopamine supplementation on growth, meat quality and carcass, and fecal scores of pigs. The 96 crossbred pigs ([Yorkshire× Landrace] × Duroc) had an average body weight of 72.8 ± 2.5 kg. Randomized allocation was followed in the allotment of the pigs according to their body weight into 1 of 2 dietary treatments: 1) CON, basal diet and 2) RAC (ractopamine hydrochloride), CON + 1% ractopamine with 12 replication pens per treatment including equal numbers of barrows (2) and gilts (2) per pen. At the end of the experiment, the lean meat percentage was higher (p < 0.05) for the RAC group compared to the CON group. Dietary ractopamine supplementation did not influence (p > 0.05) the growth performance and fecal score throughout the experimental period. In regard to sensory evaluation, higher (p < 0.05) scores for color and firmness were observed in the RAC group than in the CON group. Drip loss (p < 0.05) was higher in the ractopamine fed diet group compared to the control diet group at day 1. Additionally, longissimus muscle was improved (p < 0.05) in the ractopamine treated diet group than in the control diet group. In conclusion, in the early stage, ractopamine supplementation may not influence the growth performance, but it improves the leanness in the meat of finishing pigs.