Linear hydrocarbons content of intramuscular lipids of dry-cured Iberian ham

This study has been carried out to determine the linear hydrocarbons content (n-alkane and n-alkene) in intramuscular lipids (biceps femoris muscle) of dry-cured Iberian ham considering “feeding system” (Montanera: fed on acorns and pasture and concentrate feed) and “genotype” (hams from Iberian pure pigs and hams from Iberian crossbreed with Duroc in a 50%). The linear hydrocarbons from n-C14 to n-C32 range were present in the four studied groups. n-Alkenes fraction (60–76 mg/kg of intramuscular fat) was higher than n-alkanes fraction (34–38 mg/kg). The most abundant n-alkane and n-alkene were the shortest chain ones. Feeding and genotype did not influence linear hydrocarbons content (neither n-alkanes nor n-alkenes).