Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Androstenone and Skatole from Pork Fat

Abstract

ABSTRACT Boar taint, an unpleasant odor observed in pork from some mature intact male pigs, is attributed primarily to the presence of two compounds in boar fat, androstenone (Sα‐androst‐16‐ene‐3‐one) and skatole (3‐methyl indole). A rapid extraction method for the preparation of fat samples for androstenone/skatole screening assays would lead to more efficient use of boar carcasses for pork production. Supercritical carbon dioxide removed 97 ± 2% of the androstenone (extraction at 40°C; 5 min) and 65 ± 3% of the skatole (extraction at 40°C; 20 min) from 0.5 g of boar backfat. Supercritical CO 2 provides the basis for a fairly rapid extraction method to remove compounds associated with boar taint.