Toxic and essential metal concentrations in four tissues of red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Baranja, Croatia

Kidney (n  = 297), liver (n  = 52), jawbone (n  = 80) and muscle (n  = 48) samples collected from red deer (Cervus elaphus) from north-eastern Croatia in the 2002-05 hunting season were analysed for cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) using atomic absorption spectrometry. Statistical evaluation of results showed age-related accumulations of renal cortex Cd and Zn, bone Pb, and muscle Zn. Renal cortex Cd and Zn were significantly associated. In addition, concentrations of Cd and Pb in muscle tissue were significantly correlated with Fe content. Found levels of toxic metals were not likely to affect the health status of animals. A total of 49% of the muscle, 60% of the kidney and 6% of the liver samples were unsuitable for human consumption according to Croatian regulations for Cd in food. However, the calculated intake of Cd through deer meat consumption is small and represents no health risk when consumption is moderate.     

Fatty acids of meat lipids from young red deer (Cervus elaphus)

Fatty acids of the triglyceride and phospholipid fractions of muscle fat from young male red deer (Cervus elaphus) from three nutritional environments are reported. In both the triglyceride and phospholipid fractions differences in fatty acid patterns were observed between the three groups of deer which appear to reflect their diet.     

Cholesterol concentration and fatty acid profile of red deer (Cervus elaphus) meat

The effects of gender and age on intramuscular fat (IMF) levels, cholesterol concentration, and fatty acid composition were investigated in the semitendinosus (ST) and triceps brachii (TB) muscles of feral red deer (Cervus elaphus). Six stags of >2years of age, four hinds of 1year, and six calves of 6months were shot in Slovenia. Generally, all parameters measured were influenced by interaction of muscle and treatment group (hinds, stags and calves) at the 5% level or less. In ST muscle, the IMF levels were highest for hinds. In the TB muscle, cholesterol was lower for stags than for hinds and calves. The saturated fatty acids were the highest for stags and the mono-unsaturated fatty acids for hinds. The polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were the highest for calves and lowest for hinds. The n-3 PUFAs were the lowest for hinds. In both muscles, the calves had higher n-6 PUFAs than stags and hinds. Only the ST muscle of the hinds contained >1% (1.44%) of the conjugated linoleic acid isomer 18:2cis-9,trans-11, while in the TB of hinds and calves this fatty acid was higher than with stags. We conclude that gender and age of feral red deer influence the IMF content, the cholesterol concentration, and the fatty acid composition of the meat.     

Seasonal and lactational changes in mineral composition of milk from Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Milk minerals are important for calf growth, and they have other roles as well, such as immune regulation. This 2-yr study examined content of Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Fe, and Zn in milk of 54 Iberian red deer hinds through 18 wk of lactation. Mean mineral composition of fresh milk was ash = 1.168 ± 0.007%, Ca = 2,330 ± 20 mg/kg, P = 640 ± 10 mg/kg, K = 1,100 ± 10 mg/kg, Na = 385 ± 3 mg/kg, Mg = 138 ± 1 mg/kg, Zn = 12.5 ± 0.2 mg/kg, and Fe = 0.65 ± 0.03 mg/kg. All minerals except Mg varied by week of lactation, but variation was usually <10% except for Fe (83% variation) and Zn (30% variation); both of those minerals increased as lactation proceeded. Increased concentrations of Fe and Zn in later lactation compensated for the reduction in milk production in mid and late lactation such that daily production was less variable for Fe (55% variation) or Zn (79% variation) than for other minerals (118 to 135% variation). Potassium content of milk decreased across time, but that effect occurred primarily during the last few weeks of lactation. Calving later vs. early in the calving season had variable effects on concentrations of different minerals: P, Mg, and K concentrations were not affected; Ca, Mg, and Na were all lower in milk from later calving hinds; and both Fe and Zn had higher concentrations in milk from hinds that calved later in the season. Lactating hinds seem to maintain a more stable daily yield of the microminerals Fe and Zn in milk compared with more variable concentrations of macrominerals as lactation progresses. Because of the essential role of Fe and Zn in immune function, a more stable supply of those minerals might be important to the health of growing red deer calves.     

Nutritional evaluation of the lipid fraction of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) tenderloin

The meat lipid fraction of psoas major muscle from 20 adult (10 males and 10 females) feral Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) was characterized by quantification of total fat, total cholesterol, vitamin E and fatty acid (FA) composition, including detailed trans octadecenoate isomers and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric profile.The total lipid content revealed a very lean meat (0.99 g/100 g of meat), with total cholesterol content averaging 55.6 mg/100 g of muscle. The FA profile displayed a very high PUFA level for ruminant meat (30.2 g/100 g FA). The 18:2 cis-9,trans-11 content was fairly low (0.26% of total FA) compared with other ruminant meats.The comparison of stags and hinds showed more similarities than differences. Nevertheless, hinds displayed superior contents of α-tocopherol and trans MUFA and a better n−6/n−3 ratio than stags.     

Nutritional evaluation of the lipid fraction of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) tenderloin

The meat lipid fraction of psoas major muscle from 20 adult (10 males and 10 females) feral Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) was characterized by quantification of total fat, total cholesterol, vitamin E and fatty acid (FA) composition, including detailed trans octadecenoate isomers and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomeric profile. The total lipid content revealed a very lean meat (0.99g/100g of meat), with total cholesterol content averaging 55.6mg/100g of muscle. The FA profile displayed a very high PUFA level for ruminant meat (30.2g/100g FA). The 18:2 cis-9,trans-11 content was fairly low (0.26% of total FA) compared with other ruminant meats. The comparison of stags and hinds showed more similarities than differences. Nevertheless, hinds displayed superior contents of α-tocopherol and trans MUFA and a better n-6/n-3 ratio than stags.     

Effects of birth date and order in lactation performance of Iberian red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

This study discriminated between 2 effects (birth date and presence of older calves) assessed jointly in previous studies. Birth date delay produced similar effects to those reported previously: reduced milk and milk nutrient production in late-calving hinds, concentration of milk, substitution of protein by fat, greater body weight losses of dams (hinds), and reduced calf growth. Hinds in a group consisting of early- and late-born calves produced more milk, and calves grew more than their isolated counterparts. Evidence exists for consequences of foster suckling by early-born calves in mixed groups of early- and late-born calves at the end of the standard birth period, because these calves grew more than predicted by the milk production of their dams. In contrast, no detrimental effect was found in late-born calves of this group. Lack of differences might be due to the excess of hind milk production during the first 5 wk of lactation previously recorded in other experiments.     

Determination of mitochondrial cytochrome B gene sequence for red deer (Cervus elaphus) and the differentiation of closely related deer meats

The cytochrome b gene sequence for red deer was determined using the Dye Terminator Cycle Sequencing method and used for identification of deer meat in meat and meat products. Red deer showed a similarity of 94.1, 84.0, 81.1, 85.5 and 85.6% to sika deer (Cervus nippon), bovine, pigs, sheep and goats, respectively. To differentiate the deer meat, oligonucleotide primers RD-1(5′-TCATCGCAGCACTCGCTATAGTACACT-3′), RD-2(5′-ATCTCCAAGTAGGTCTGGTGCGAATAA-3′) were designed for the region of the cytochrome b gene of red deer. The PCR amplified 194 bp fragments from red and sika deer, but no fragments from bovine, pig, chicken, sheep, goat, horse and rabbit DNA. Although cooking the meats reduced the PCR products, red deer could still be detected in meat heated at 120 °C. To discriminate between red and sika deer, these PCR products were digested by a restriction enzyme (EcoRI,BamHI,ScaI) and analyzed by 4% agorose gel electrophoresis. As a result, the red deer fragment was digested by EcoRI to 67/127 bp fragments but not by BamHI and ScaI. The sika deer fragment was digested to 48/146 bp and 49/145 bp fragments with the two other enzymes, and thus it is possible to differentiate between the two kinds of deer from the digestion pattern of restriction enzymes.     

Real-time PCR for detection and quantification of red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) in meat mixtures

A rapid real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique using SYBR Green detection system, has been developed for the quantification of red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer DNAs in meat mixtures. The method combines the use of cervid-specific primers that amplify a 134, 169, and 120 bp of the 12S rRNA gene fragment of red deer, fallow deer and roe deer, respectively, and universal primers that amplify a 140 bp fragment on the nuclear 18S rRNA gene from eukaryotic DNA. The C_t (threshold cycle) values obtained with the 18S rRNA primers are used to normalize those obtained from each of the cervid-specific systems, serving as endogenous control for the total content of PCR-amplifiable DNA in the sample. Analysis of experimental raw and heat treated binary mixtures of red deer, fallow deer or roe deer meat in a swine meat matrix demonstrated the suitability of the assay for the detection and quantification of the target cervid DNAs in the range 0.1–0.8%, depending on the species and treatment of the meat samples analyzed.     

Identification of meats from red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) using polymerase chain reaction targeting specific sequences from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on oligonucleotide primers targeting the mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was applied to the specific identification of meats from red deer (Cervus elaphus), fallow deer (Dama dama), and roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). The use of a common reverse primer, together with forward specific primers for red deer, fallow deer, and roe deer, allowed the selective amplification of the desired cervid sequences. The specificity of each primer pair was verified by PCR analysis of DNA from various game and domestic meats. The assay can be useful for the accurate identification of meats from cervid species, avoiding mislabeling or fraudulent species substitution in meat products.     

A comparison of biochemical and meat quality variables in red deer (Cervus elaphus) following either slaughter at pasture or killing at a deer slaughter plant

To investigate effects of pre-slaughter handling on blood and muscle biochemistry and venison quality, paddock-shot (n=8) and commercially slaughtered red deer (n=8) were compared. The deer were kept in two larger groups. One stag per group per day was head-shot, exsanguinated, electrically stimulated then transported 150 m to a deer slaughter premises (DSP) for processing. Prior to each slaughter day one of the groups was mustered into a deer yards and six (including two experimental) deer were selected for commercial handling and processing (including electrical stimulation) at the same DSP. Blood samples taken during exsanguination showed higher levels of cortisol, progesterone, glucose, lactate, albumin, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and packed cell volume in the DSP-killed deer compared with the paddock-shot deer (P<0.05). Interpretation of these values indicated that pre-slaughter handling created moderate stress and high levels of muscular exertion or damage, possibly related to antagonism during lairage. However muscle glycogen, pH and meat quality measurements showed only minor, muscle-specific differences between treatments.     

Influence of age and environment on antler traits in Spanish red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus)

Summary We measured antlers of 484 red deer (Cervus elaphus hispanicus) aged between 1.5 and 13.5 years, from Sierra Morena (Southeast Spain) between 1992 and 1998. We determined the effect of year of birth, season of hunting, age group and farm size on the number of tips, the length, the width and the quality of the antlers. The number of harvested animals, an indicator of population density, was included as a covariable. Highest antler quality is obtained in animals at least seven years old. The lowest quality animals were obtained during the hunting season from October 1995 to February 1996, which coincided with the end of an extended period of drought. The best trophies were harvested during the 1996–1997 season, the period of highest rainfall during the study. Thus environmental conditions have a major influence on antler size. However, animal density had a strong negative effect on certain types of farms, emphasizing the importance of population management.     

Detection of roe deer,red deer,and hare meat in raw materials and processed products available in Poland

To allow detection of meat from the most popular game species in Poland, we developed a PCR-based method for identification of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), and hare (Lepus europaeus). The designed primers were based on the noncoding, mitochondrial D-loop region. Amplicon sizes ranged from 116 to 255 bp. The primers exhibited no cross-reactivity with the DNA from common slaughter and other game species. The detection limit of the assay was established to be below 0.001 % in raw red deer (C. elaphus) and hare (L. europaeus) meat, and below 0.01 % in raw roe deer (C. capreolus) meat, whereas <0.5 % of hare and red deer meat in processed samples could be detected. The PCR-based assay was used for authentication of 17 samples of raw game meat and 32 samples of game meat-containing products available in Polish markets. Analysis of all tested raw meat and processed products revealed the presence of DNA of investigated species in concordance with producers’ declarations.     

Content of some metals in goat's milk from southern Poland.

The aim of the work was to estimate the content of certain metals in goat's milk. The content of lead, cadmium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese and magnesium was determined using atomic absorption spectrometry. It was found that highly toxic elements [Pb, Cd] appeared in both raw and pasteurised goat's milk in amounts not exceeding the polish standard. Goat's milk coming from highly industrialised regions demonstrated higher lead content than milk from agricultural regions. The copper and zinc contents in examined raw and pasteurised goat's milk were well under the polish standard.     

Content of toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, and cadmium) in canned variegated scallops (Chlamys varia)

The concentrations of three toxic heavy metals, mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), were determined in preserved variegated scallops (Chlamys varia, Bivalvia, Mollusca), which are often consumed in Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain). A total of 300 samples of seven commercial brands (A, B, D, H, J, L, and M) and one processed product ("scallop sauce") were analyzed. Samples were collected weekly in a major shopping area in Santa Cruz de Tenerife during a 12-month period. The concentrations of lead and mercury were far below the maximum limit permitted for human consumption by the European Communities Commission regulation (EC) 466/2001 (1 and 0.5 mg kg(-1) wet weight for Pb and Hg, respectively). Concentrations of cadmium were close to the maximum limit permitted by regulation (EC) 466/2001 (1 mg kg(-1) wet weight).     

南极磷虾中重金属含量的测定

采用微波消解-电感耦合等离子-质谱法(MD-[CP-MS)测定了南极磷虾整虾、虾膏、虾糜、虾粉、虾油中铁(Fe)、锌(Zn)、锰(Mn)、镉(Cd)、铬(Cr)、镍(Ni)、铜(Cu)、汞(Hg)、钼(Mo)、砷(As,类金属)的含量.结果表明,这10种重金属在南极磷虾各衍生产品中均被不同程度的检测出来,含量均在国家食品限量标准范围内,南极磷虾各衍生产品中锌铜含量处于合理的水平 在重金属指标这方面,南极磷虾各衍生产品均是安全的,具有广阔的应用前景.     

Concentrations of trace metals in various tissues of the squid Loligo opalescens and their redistribution after canning

The trace metals (Mn, Cu, Zn, Fe, Cd, Pb and Ag) have been determined in various tissues of raw and canned Loligo opalescens squid. As a consequence of processing whole squid, highly elevated levels of cadmium, and to a lesser extent of the other trace metals investigated, were found in the edible parts of canned whole squid.     

Occurrence of heavy metals (Hg, Cd, and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls in salted anchovies

The most popular brands of salted anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) from the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean were purchased from several Italian supermarkets and grocery stores. Heavy metal (Hg, Cd, and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels were determined and assessed by comparing the concentrations in these samples with the maximum permissible limits set by the European Union (Reg EC 629/2008 and Reg EC 1881/2006 [Off. J. Eur. Union L 173:3-9 and 364:5-24, respectively]). The Hg and Cd levels were higher than those of Pb in all samples examined. For Hg and Pb, the concentrations recorded in this study were below the authorized limits, while an appreciable percentage of samples from both locations (Mediterranean Sea, 35%, and Atlantic Ocean, 25%) showed Cd levels exceeding the threshold recommended for human consumption. Concerning PCBs, the results of principal component analysis showed that samples from the two different marine areas appeared to be discriminate, with Mediterranean anchovies more contaminated than the others, in spite of their lower lipid content. However, anchovy samples from both locations had dioxinlike-PCB levels (Mediterranean Sea, 0.011 pg World Health Organization toxic equivalency [WHO-TEQ] g(-1), wet weight, and Atlantic Ocean, 0.007 pg WHO-TEQ g(-1), wet weight) that were below the WHO-TEQ maximum concentration set by European regulation. The results of this study will help in generating data needed for the assessment of heavy metal and PCB intake from this food.     

Influence of hunting-season stage and ripening conditions on nitrogen fractions and degradation of myofibrillar proteins in venison (Cervus elaphus) chorizo sausages

The influence of hunting-season stage (deer hunted at the start versus deer hunted at the end of the season) and ripening conditions (natural versus controlled drying rooms) on nitrogen fractions and degradation of myofibrillar proteins were studied in chorizo sausages made with venison. Variations of nitrogen fractions during 21 days of ripening were found. In all batches, myofibrillar protein content decreased and proteolysis indices were between 4.6% and 14.4% at the end of ripening. However, after 45 days of storage in vacuum packs no significant variations in nitrogen fractions contents occurred. Similar changes of electrophoretic profiles of myofibrillar proteins in batches processed under controlled conditions took place during ripening, however samples of batches processed in natural drying rooms did not show the same variation. Ripening conditions influenced the relative density of bands corresponding to 45 (actin), 37 (T-troponin), 35 (tropomyosin), 20 (C-troponin) and 19kDa, after 21 days of ripening. Hunting season stage influenced the relative density of the 49kDa band after 21 days of ripening. Changes on proteins profiles were found after storage in all four batches.     

Influences of sex and seasons on levels of heavy metals in tissues of green tiger shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus de Hann, 1844)

Seasonal changes in heavy metal (Ag, Cr, Ni, Pb, Cu, Fe, Zn) concentrations in muscle, gill, hepatopancreas and gonad tissues of both male and female green tiger shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus) from Iskenderun Bay (Northern East Mediterranean Sea, Turkey) were measured for a year period by using ICP-AES. The relationships in various heavy metal concentrations in organs were compared according to sex and seasons. Heavy metal content varied with type of metals, seasons and sex. Accumulations also differed significantly in certain organs. Metal concentrations (as μg g⁻¹ w.w.) were highest in male gonads whereas lowest in the muscle of all shrimp species. From the human consumption point of view, heavy metal concentrations except for copper in male and female green tiger shrimp’s muscle were below the admissible limits. Thus, precautions should be taken on account of higher content of heavy metals as well as in other organs that could be affected by industrial pollution.