STUDIES ON THE SUITABILITY OF A COLORIMETRIC TEST FOR ANDROST-16-ENE STEROIDS IN THE SUBMAXILLARY GLAND AND FAT OF PIGS AS A SIMPLE CHEMICAL TEST FOR BOAR TAINT

Abstract

Analytical methods for measuring 5α-androst-16-en-3-one, the major boar taint steroid, that have been described to date are expensive, time consuming and generally not suitable for use in an abattoir. In this report the use of a qualitative colorimetric test for the determination of androst-16-ene steroids is described which is inexpensive, quick and simple to perform. The test is based on the established reaction of steroids with resorcylaldehyde and H 2 SO 4 in glacial acetic acid. Androst-16-ene steroids give a purple color (λ max = 590 nm) while cholesterol produces a pink color (λ max = 543 nm) from the reaction. Assay conditions have been optimized to produce a maximum color with androst-16-ene steroids and to minimize color development with cholesterol. Since tissue extracts contain appreciable levels of cholesterol which would still produce a considerable amount of color in the assay, a method to remove cholesterol while concentrating the androst-16-ene steroids from tissue extracts was devised. This technique allows the specific determination of androst-16-ene steroids in tissue extracts using the resorcylaldehyde/H 2 SO 2 /acetic acid color reaction. The possible use of this test as a simple chemical method for estimating taint is illustrated by determining the levels of androst-16-ene steroids in salivary glands and backfat of a small number of boars, barrows and gilts and comparing these values to the levels of taint determined by the hot iron test. Key words: Boar taint, androst-16-ene steroids, quick test