# Comparative Metabolomics and Lipidomics of Meat from Duroc × Guangdong Small-Eared Spotted Pigs and Commercial Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) Pigs

## TL;DR

This study compares the meat quality and lipid profiles of two pig breeds, finding that indigenous crossbred pigs have better tenderness and distinct metabolomic and lipidomic profiles.

## Contribution

The study provides novel molecular insights into meat quality differences between indigenous and commercial crossbred pigs using metabolomics and lipidomics.

## Key findings

- DG pigs showed better tenderness but lower meat color and marbling scores compared to DLY pigs.
- Metabolomics identified 13 differential metabolites, including L-norleucine and L-phenylalanine.
- Lipidomics revealed 77 differential lipids, mainly triglycerides and ceramides, with 76 more abundant in DG pigs.

## Abstract

Crossbreeding with indigenous breeds is an important approach for improving pork quality. In this study, untargeted metabolomics and targeted lipidomics were applied to comprehensively characterize meat quality, metabolites, and lipids in Duroc × Guangdong small-ear spotted (DG) and commercial Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) (DLY) pigs. Multivariate statistical analysis was used for differential comparison, compound screening, and breed discrimination. DG pigs presented better tenderness than DLY pigs, although their meat color and marbling scores were lower. Protein, amino acid, and fatty acid contents did not differ significantly between breeds (p > 0.05), but their metabolomic and lipidomic profiles showed marked differences. Metabolomics identified 13 differential metabolites, such as L-norleucine and L-phenylalanine. Lipidomics revealed 77 lipids with differential abundance between the two breeds, predominantly triglycerides and ceramides, with 76 being more abundant in DG pigs. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that amino acid metabolism was the main pathway enriched by the differential metabolites, whereas the differential lipids were primarily involved in glycerolipid metabolism and other related pathways. Correlation analysis indicated that breed influenced relationships among meat quality traits, metabolites, and lipids. These findings offer molecular insights into the meat quality characteristics of indigenous crossbred pigs.