The use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for predicting total and intramuscular fat in pork loin chops

This study evaluated the efficacy of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in determining total fat and intramuscular fat (IMF) in pork chops, using chemical analysis as the gold-standard reference, in samples with and without subcutaneous fat (SF). Across all samples, DXA fat percentage showed a strong correlation with chemically determined fat content (r = 0.91). However, when samples with and without SF were analyzed separately, the correlations weakened, with a moderate correlation observed for total fat in chops with SF (r = 0.69) and a weak correlation between DXA fat percentage and IMF in samples without SF (r = 0.23). The regression model for predicting total fat content from DXA fat percentage exhibited the highest predictive performance when applied to pooled data (R² = 0.83, RMSECV = 3.22 %, slope = 0.97, bias = 7.55 %). In contrast, the model for IMF prediction demonstrated poor predictive capability (R² = 0.05, RMSECV = 0.89 %, slope = 0.14, bias = 7.61 %). These findings suggest that while DXA is effective for estimating total fat content in pork chops, its ability to accurately predict IMF is limited. Further calibration and model refinement are necessary to enhance DXA's reliability for IMF quantification in pork chops.