Composition and estimation of intramuscular and subcutaneous fatty acid composition in Spanish young bulls

Sixty Pirenaica yearling intact bulls were raised and slaughtered at 519±50kg live weight and 371±18 days of age. Fatty acid composition of intramuscular lipids in longissimus dorsi muscle and subcutaneous fat were determined by capillary gas chromatography. Carcass conformation and fatness, carcass weight, ether extractable intramuscular fat percentage, marbling, dorsal fat thickness, and ultrasonic parameters were recorded to study the relationship between these traits and fatty acid profile. Lipids of subcutaneous adipose tissue had higher monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) percentage (49% vs. 33%) but lower saturated fatty acids (SFA) (51% vs. 46%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (16% vs. 5%) percentages than intramuscular fat depots (p<0.001). Fatter carcasses had higher MUFA percentage and lower PUFA percentage (p<0.01) in intramuscular fat. Carcass weight and conformation would contribute to explain the fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat (p<0.05). Ultrasound readings reflected the effect of fatness on fat composition.     

不同日龄、性别、部位Hyla兔系肌内脂肪酸组成变化

以Hyla配套系肉兔为对象,研究不同日龄、性别、部位Hyla兔系肌内脂肪酸组成的动态变化,探讨肉兔生长过程中脂肪酸的沉积规律及营养价值。结果表明：随着日龄的增加,Hyla公兔和母兔背部最长肌（longissimus dorsi,LD）、左后腿肌（left-hind leg muscle,LL）和腹肌（abdominal muscle,AM）的肌内总脂肪含量均显著增加（P＜0.05）,且AM中含量最高,LL次之,LD最低,公兔整体低于母兔;经气相色谱分析,共鉴定出21 种脂肪酸,其中不饱和脂肪酸（unsaturated fatty acids,UFA）的含量丰富,尤其是长链（C20～22）多不饱和脂肪酸（polyunsaturated fatty acids,PUFA）;随着Hyla兔的生长,3 个部位肌内脂肪的PUFA/SFA值、n-6 PUFA含量及n-3 PUFA含量显著下降（P＜0.05）,n-6/n-3值因日龄、性别和部位的差异有着不同的动态变化,比值范围为6.5～8.5;经偏最小二乘回归分析可知,日龄、性别与部位均能够显著影响Hyla兔系肌内脂肪酸组成,其中,幼龄公兔LL脂肪酸组成更优,而成年母兔LD更适宜加工。     

不同生长时期伊拉公兔肌内磷脂脂肪酸动态沉积规律及PLS2分析

以伊拉公兔的背部最长肌(longissimus dorsi,LD)、左后腿肌(left rear leg muscle,LL)和腹部肌肉(abdominal muscles,AM)为实验原料,运用气相色谱测定了不同日龄和部位伊拉公兔肌内磷脂的脂肪酸组成。经对比分析显示:随着日龄的增加,伊拉公兔的LD、LL和AM肌内脂肪含量显著增加(P0.05),而磷脂含量显著减少(P0.05)。在测试的3个部位中,左后腿肌内磷脂相对含量最高,背部最长肌次之,腹部所占比例最小,但是在此期间伊拉兔肌内脂肪和磷脂在肌肉中所占的绝对比例(新鲜肌肉%)变化均不显著。在35~90 d,三个部位肌内磷脂的SFA与MUFA比例均显著增加(P0.05),与之相对应的是3个部位的PUFA比例均显著降低(P0.05)。经PLS2分析可知,35 d兔肉的营养价值较好,而90 d兔肉更适宜加工,不同日龄LD、LL和AM的肌内磷脂脂肪酸组成均存在显著性差异,其中LL肌内磷脂不仅相对含量较其他部位高,而且从脂肪酸组成来说营养价值更高。     

Fatty acid composition of adipose depots of suckling lambs raised under different production systems

Forty-nine male Talaverana-breed suckling lambs slaughtered at 14 kg live weight were used to study the fatty acid composition of adipose depots of lambs raised under different management systems (pasture or drylot) and diets (maternal milk with or without a concentrate supplement). Drylot lambs displayed a higher fatness score, in addition to greater dorsal fat thickness; these parameters corresponded with a greater percentage of total fat at dissection. Addition of concentrate to the diet did not modify carcass fatness. Drylot lambs presented higher proportions of oleic acid (C18:1) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and lower linolenic acid (C18:3) values in subcutaneous and intramuscular fat (muscle longissimus thoracis). The subcutaneous fat of these lambs thus displayed a higher n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio (C18:2/C18:3) than that of pasture-raised ones. Concentrate in the diet of both pasture and drylot lambs resulted in higher linoleic fatty acid (C18:2) and PUFA values and a greater PUFA/SFA ratio in intramuscular fat than the corresponding values of lambs which consumed maternal milk alone. Loin displayed a higher percentage of subcutaneous and intramuscular chemical fat than leg. Compared with intramuscular leg fat (muscle quadriceps femoris), intramuscular loin fat (muscle longissimus thoracis) had lower oleic acid (C18:1) and MUFA values, higher PUFA values and a higher PUFA/SFA ratio, due to greater linolenic acid (C18:3) levels.     

Sire variation in fatty acid composition of crossbred Wagyu steers and heifers

Effects of sires on lipid composition of subcutaneous adipose tissue and longissimus dorsi muscle were studied using 113 F(1) heifer and steer calves sired by eight Wagyu bulls out of three different cow herds. Wagyu sires were used and grouped as Old (n=6) and New (n =2) sires, respectively, based on the chronological order in which they were imported into the US. Animals were fed a backgrounding diet for 112 days consisting of an 80:20 ratio of roughage:concentrate, then grazed on orchard grass and bluegrass for 84 days, and finished on a 10:90 ratio of roughage:concentrate diet for 231 days in a feedlot. For longissimus dorsi muscle, progeny from Old sires had higher (P<0.05) monounsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratios (MUFA:SFA) than progeny of New sires. There were also differences (P<0.05) among individual sires for polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio (PUFA:SFA) (0.05-0.08) and MUFA:SFA (1.03-1.21). Progeny of Angus cows at Washington State University (WSU) had lower (P<0.05) MUFA:SFA and lower SFA than progeny of WSU crossbred and commercial cows. Steers had lower (P<0.05) MUFA:SFA and higher (P<0.05) SFA than heifers. For subcutaneous fat, heifers had higher levels (P<0.05) of linoleic acid (C18:2) and PUFA:SFA than the steers. Means for ether extractable fat in longissimus dorsi muscle differed among sires (P<0.05) and ranged from 7.58 to 13.13%. Progeny from WSU Angus cows had higher (P<0.05) ether extractable fat than WSU crossbred and commercial cows. Cholesterol content of longissimus dorsi muscle was not influenced by sire, cow herd or sex (P>0.05).     

蒙古斑点马不同部位脂肪和肌肉组织中脂肪酸组成的比较研究

通过对蒙古斑点马不同部位脂肪和肌肉组织中脂肪酸组成进行分析比较,旨在明确蒙古斑点马体脂脂肪酸组成特点。选择3 匹成年蒙古斑点马,屠宰后采集肾周、肠周和皮下脂肪以及肩肌、背最长肌和臀肌样品,利用气相色谱法测定脂肪酸组成及含量。结果表明：蒙古斑点马不同脂肪组织中均检出19 种脂肪酸,其中饱和脂肪酸（saturated fatty acid,SFA）含量34.77%～37.38%,不饱和脂肪酸（unsaturated fatty acid,UFA）含量达60%以上,UFA中单不饱和脂肪酸（monounsaturated fatty acid,MUFA）含量33.04%～36.39%,多不饱和脂肪酸（polyunsaturated fatty acid,PUFA）含量26.47%～27.51%,其中皮下脂肪C10:0、C18:0、C20:0含量显著低于肾周和肠周脂肪（P＜0.05）;MUFA在皮下脂肪的沉积程度较其他2 个部位高,但均无统计学差异;PUFA中C18:3 n-3含量最高,其在各脂肪组织间无显著差异。3 个不同部位肌肉中均检出15 种脂肪酸,其中SFA含量占总脂肪酸含量的38.32%～40.04%,MUFA含量占35.70%～40.19%,PUFA含量占15.25%～20.33%;SFA中背最长肌和臀肌C12:0含量显著高于肩肌（P＜0.05）,其余SFA在不同部位肌肉间无显著差异;MUFA中背最长肌C16:1含量显著高于肩肌和臀肌（P＜0.05）;肩肌n-6/n-3 PUFA比值显著高于背最长肌和臀肌（P＜0.05）;皮下脂肪的C18:3 n-3和总PUFA含量显著高于背最长肌（P＜0.05）。综上所述,蒙古斑点马不同部位脂肪和肌肉组织脂肪酸组成各具特点,但UFA含量均较高。     

Lipid composition and nutritional quality of intramuscular fat in Charneca-PDO beef

This paper characterizes the intramuscular fat from longissimus lumborum (LL, relatively red) and semitendinous (ST, relatively white) muscles of Charneca beef from young bulls reared according to the protected designation of origin (PDO) specifications. The content of total lipids, total cholesterol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene, as well as the fatty acid composition, including the isomeric distribution of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), was assessed. Charneca young bulls (n = 10) were raised on a semi-extensive production system, in which animals fed pasture plus concentrate during 15 months. The ST muscle was leaner and had higher percentages of PUFA, in contrast to the LL muscle, which presented higher percentages of SFA and MUFA. Thus, the ST muscle had a higher PUFA/SFA ratio than the LL muscle, although the ratio values of both muscles were inside the recommended figures for the human diet. In contrast, the contents of CLA isomers, total cholesterol, α-tocopherol and β-carotene, as well as the n-6/n-3 ratio, were not influenced by muscle type, thus suggesting no carcass variation for these compounds. In both muscles, the n-6/n-3 ratios were slightly above the dietary guideline for human diet, and the contents of α-tocopherol were very high, indicating a good lipid stability of Charneca-PDO beef. Overall, the results suggest that intramuscular fat of Charneca-PDO beef has good human health–related parameters, with small carcass variation, since the PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 ratio values are inside or very close to the recommended figures for the human diet, and the content of α-tocopherol is very high.     

澳洲美利奴羊肉脂肪酸组成

选择3 只澳洲美利奴羔羊的背最长肌、臀肌及臂三头肌,利用气相色谱-质谱联用技术对其脂肪酸含量进行测定及分类探讨。结果表明：澳洲美利奴羊肉中共含有脂肪酸35 种,其中C15:1、C16:0、C17:1、C18:0、C18:1 n-9c脂肪酸含量较高,3 个部位肌肉中：不饱和脂肪酸含量＞饱和脂肪酸含量＞单不饱和脂肪酸含量＞多不饱和脂肪酸含量,且每个部位肌肉中单不饱和脂肪酸含量比多不饱和脂肪酸含量均高出2～3 倍;n-3脂肪酸亚麻酸甲酯（C18:3 n-3）在臂三头肌中的含量显著高于背最长肌（P＜0.05）;与另外2 个部位相比,臂三头肌总脂肪酸、饱和脂肪酸、不饱和脂肪酸、中链脂肪酸及长链脂肪酸含量均最高;臂三头肌中多不饱和脂肪酸与饱和脂肪酸含量比值最高,背最长肌中最低。     

Effect of age on fatty acid composition of Italian Merino suckling lambs

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of age on lipid content and composition of lamb meat. Thirty suckling ram lambs of the Italian Merino breed, reared according to a traditional semi-extensive management, were slaughtered at 30, 50 and 70 days of age to evaluate total lipids and fatty acid profile in three different muscles: longissimus dorsi (LD), semimembranosus (SM) and quadriceps femoris (QF). Age did not dramatically modify lipid content and composition, even if effects of nutritional interest were observed. Meat from lambs slaughtered at 70 days of age presented the best fatty acid profile, because they had the highest PUFA content and ratio to SFA, as well as the lowest thrombogenic index. The SM muscle had better nutritional quality than the LD and the QF, as a result of a higher PUFA percentage and PUFA/SFA ratio, together with a lower thrombogenic index. These characteristics were also associated with slightly lower amounts of intramuscular lipids and SFA.     

Effect of low dose gamma irradiation on beef quality and fatty acid composition of beef intramuscular lipid

Eight Chinese Yellow Cattle semitendinous muscles were irradiated using a (60)Co irradiation source (with the dose of 1.13, 2.09, or 3.17kGy) and stored (0 day or 10 days at 7°C) to estimate fatty acids change of neutral lipid (NL), polar lipid (PL) and total lipid (TL) fractions, and the beef quality change. Total saturated fatty acid (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) increased with irradiation, ratios of MUFA to SFA did not change in TL. Whilst, total polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) reduced with irradiation, which resulted in PUFA to SFA ratio decreased in TL (0 day or 10 days). Purge loss and 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values increased with irradiation (from 0 to 3.17kGy) at 0 day, but these values were lower with irradiation at 10 days. Total bacterial counts decreased proportionally with irradiation dose increasing from 0 to 3.17kGy. It can be concluded that fatty acid profiles in beef changed with irradiation; however, fatty acid profiles did not change much at 3.17kGy compared with 1.13 or 2.09kGy, and the beef quality were most acceptable at the dose of 3.17kGy, thus, low dose of about 3kGy gamma irradiation was recommended to apply in fresh beef preparation.     

Effect of crossbreeding and gender on meat quality and fatty acid composition in pork

This study considers the effect of crossbreeding and gender (barrows; gilts) on meat quality and intramuscular and subcutaneous fatty acid composition in pork. The sire lines included Large White (LW), Duroc (D) and Pietrain (P) and the dam line was Landrace (LR)×LW, producing LW×(LR×LW), D×(LR×LW) and P×(LR×LW). Pork samples were removed from Longissimus dorsi (LD) and Semimembranosus (SM) muscles and subcutaneous fat (SCF). There were no important differences in meat quality parameters but D×(LR×LW) had the highest percentage of intramuscular fat. Castrated males had more intramuscular fat and more intense meat colour than female pigs. The Large White and Duroc sire line had saturated fatty acids (SFA) in SM, whereas the Pietrain sire line was significantly higher than Duroc sire line in the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), PUFA/SFA (P/S) and the n-6/n-3 ratio. The concentrations of SFA and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in SCF were significantly higher in LW×(LR×LW) and P×(LR×LW), respectively. No differences were found in the percentage of PUFA, P/S and n-6/n-3 ratio between D×(LR×LW) and P×(LR×LW). Female pigs had the most polyunsaturated intramuscular and subcutaneous fat. The results demonstrate small differences in fatty acid compositions among sires.     

不同养殖模式对牦牛背最长肌挥发性风味物质及脂肪酸组成的影响

为确定不同养殖模式对青海牦牛背最长肌挥发性风味物质和脂肪酸组成的影响,选择传统放牧和育肥6 个月2 种养殖模式下的12 头2～3 岁龄成年公牦牛背最长肌作为实验材料,采用顶空固相微萃取和气相色谱-质谱联用技术分析肌肉中风味物质组成,同时测定2 种养殖模式下牦牛背最长肌的脂肪酸组成。结果表明：2 组样品均检出13 种饱和脂肪酸（saturated fatty acid,SFA）、5 种单不饱和脂肪酸（monounsaturated fatty acid,MUFA）和7 种多不饱和脂肪酸（polyunsaturated fatty acid,PUFA）,放牧组牦牛背最长肌脂肪酸相对含量由大到小依次为SFA（40.77%）＞PUFA（35.15%）＞MUFA（24.07%）,育肥组为SFA（44.72%）＞MUFA（40.10%）＞PUFA（15.18%）;2 组样品共检出32 种挥发性风味物质,包括酮类4 种、醛类10 种、酸类2 种、酯类1 种、醇类5 种、烯类2 种及芳香类8 种,放牧组牦牛背最长肌中检出26 种,育肥组检出30 种。综上,育肥模式对牦牛肉脂肪酸和挥发性风味物质组成具有较大影响。     

不同放牧条件下绒山羊肌肉脂肪代谢和沉积变化的研究

采用实时荧光定量多聚核苷酸链式反应(real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,RT-PCR)和气相色谱-质谱联用技术(gas chromatography-mass spectrometry,GC-MS)研究不同放牧条件下1.5岁绒山羊肌肉脂肪代谢和沉积的变化。结果表明,山地组肌内脂肪(intramuscular fat,IMF)含量显著高于草地组(p<0.05),不同放牧条件对肌肉中水分、灰分和蛋白质含量无显著影响(p>0.05)。山地组中多不饱和脂肪酸(polyunsaturated fatty acids,PUFA)显著含量高于草地组(p<0.05),并且α-亚麻酸、共轭亚油酸(conjugated linoleic acid,CLA)和二十二碳六烯酸(docosahexenoic acid,DHA)的含量均显著高于草地组(p<0.05)。通过相关性分析可知,硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(stearoyl-CoA desaturase,SCD)和脂蛋白脂酶(lipoprteinlipase,LPL)基因高表达均有利于肌内脂肪的沉积,SCD基因的高表达有利于肌肉中单不饱和脂肪酸(monounsaturated fatty acids,MUFA)的沉积,而LPL基因的高表达会抑制肌肉中PUFA的沉积。     

Lipolysis in dry-cured ham: Influence of salt content and processing conditions

Fatty acid composition of neutral lipids (NLs), polar lipids (PLs) and free fatty acids (FFA) from the intramuscular fat of Semimembranosus and Biceps femoris muscles was analysed in 46 Iberian dry-cured hams processed with different amounts of salt (6% high salt batch – HS vs. 3% low salt batch – LS w/w) and different processing systems (traditional – T vs. modified – M).

Total amounts of saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acids in NLs decreased in similar proportions during processing of the hams as well as SFA, MUFA and PUFA in the PL fraction, whereas the amounts of SFA, MUFA and PUFA of FFAs significantly increased in Semimembranosus and Biceps femoris muscles. The amount of total fatty acids (TFA), from NLs and PLs, decreased in both muscles throughout the processing. Such a decline was more intense in HS hams than in LS ones, which could be a sign of a promoting effect of sodium chloride on lipolysis. However, the increase in FFA content throughout processing was not more intense in HS hams. Processing conditions studied in this work did not affect the changes in the fatty acid content of each fraction.     

Intramuscular fatty acid profile of longissimus dorsi and semitendinosus muscle from Pateri goats fed under traditional feeding system of Sindh, Pakistan

The present study was undertaken to assess the intramuscular fatty acid composition of different muscles taken from male Pateri (n=15) goats, reared on naturally grown grasses, leaves and pods of Acacia nilotica and crushed cereal, under traditional way of feeding. Goats were slaughtered with an average weight of 68±7kg and age 12±1 month. The samples were taken from longissimus dorsi region (between the 12th and 13th rib) and distal region of semitendinosus muscle. Results of total fat content and fatty acids composition does not show significant (P>0.05) variation among muscles investigated. The fatty acid composition of muscles studied were primarily composed of oleic (31.50-33.38%), followed by palmitic acid (19.84-22.05%) and stearic acid (22.25-24.91%) respectively. Muscle tissue in general contained an average 51.13% of saturated fatty acids and 48.87% of unsaturated fatty acids. The mean conjugated linoleic acid was found 0.41%, 0.43% and 0.47% in ribeye and loin portion of longissimus dorsi muscle and distal region of semitendinosus muscle, respectively.     

不同加工方式与时间对猪肉脂肪含量和脂肪酸组成的影响

为研究不同加工方式和时间对猪肉脂肪酸组成、脂肪含量、营养及风味的影响,以PIC猪背最长肌为原料,经不同时间的蒸煮或烤制加工后,分别测定各样品的脂肪含量和脂肪酸组成。结果显示,加工时间主要影响PUFA/SFA和SFA+MUFA值、磷脂的含量和脂肪酸组成、肌内总脂肪酸的组成;加工方式主要影响肌内脂肪总含量、甘三酯的含量、游离脂肪的脂肪酸组成;游离脂肪酸的含量同时受加工时间和方式的影响,而甘三酯的脂肪酸组成在加工中没有明显变化。因此采用不同时间的蒸煮或烤制加工时,加工方式和时间都会对猪肉脂肪酸组成、脂肪含量、营养及风味产生影响,但加工时间对脂肪酸组成、营养和风味的影响更大,而加工方式对脂肪含量的影响更显著。     

Effect of tanniniferous Terminalia chebula extract on rumen biohydrogenation, ∆(9)-desaturase activity, CLA content and fatty acid composition in longissimus dorsi muscle of kids

Conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid found in milk fat and ruminant meat is one of the functional food components. Modifying fatty acid composition so as to increase CLA and other beneficial PUFA/MUFA level and reducing SFA levels might be a key to enhance the neutraceutical and therapeutic value of ruminant-derived food products. In the present experiment, the effect of supplementation of polyphenol rich Terminalia chebula plant extract at different concentrations (1.06 g/kg and 3.18 g/kg of body weight in T1 and T2 groups, respectively) was investigated on fatty acid composition of rumen fluid, plasma, intramuscular fat and Δ9-desaturase activity in longissimus dorsi muscle of crossbred kids. Total MUFA and PUFA content in muscle were enhanced by 25 and 35%, respectively, whereas SFA was reduced by 20% thereby improving the desaturation index. Δ9-desaturase activity also increased by 47% resulting in an enhancement of total CLA content (58.73%) in muscle.     

Fatty acid content and composition of UK beef and lamb muscle in relation to production system and implications for human nutrition

Although ruminant meats normally have a low ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) to saturated fatty acids (P:S ratio), the muscle contains a range of C(20) and C(22) PUFA of both the n-6 and n-3 series of potential significance in human nutrition. However, information on the amounts of these fatty acids in muscle and how they are modified by production system is limited In this study, the content and composition of fatty acids was determined in several muscles from beef steers fed grass (grazed) and bulls fed cereal concentrates. These are the two main types of beef production in the UK and Europe. Muscle fatty acids were also determined in lambs fed grass (grazed on pasture). The total fatty acid content of all muscles studied was less than 35 g kg(-1). The percentages in total fatty acids of all n-3 PUFA were higher in muscles from steers fed grass than from bulls fed concentrates whereas all n-6 PUFA were higher in the latter. The gluteobiceps muscle contained the largest amounts of fatty acids including PUFA and the m. longissimus dorsi the least amounts of PUFA in beef and lamb, and m. longissimus contained the lowest percentages of PUFA. Arachidonic acid was the major fatty acid in the C(20) + C(22) PUFA in beef from both production systems with twice as much in muscles from bulls fed concentrates. The P:S ratios were higher in the latter animals, range 0.21-0.34 compared with 0.08-0.13 in the steers fed grass. However, the n6:n-3 ratio was much less desirable in the bulls, 15.6-20.1 compared with 2.0-2.3 in the steers fed grass. These effects of production system in ruminants are larger than previously reported. Lamb muscle P:S ratios resembled those in grass-fed beef but the n-6:n-3 ratios were lower. The percentage of trans unsaturated 18:1 fatty acids was similar in both cattle production systems but lamb muscles contained twice as much as beef. Although the concentrations of the C(20) and C(22) PUFA are much lower than in fish, maintaining high n-3 levels in ruminant meats through grass feeding may be advantageous in human nutrition since meat is more widely consumed.     

Composition of Bovine Muscle Lipids at Various Carcass Locations

SUMMARY— Bovine intramuscular lipids extracted from the semitendinosus, triceps brachii and longissimus dorsi muscles were fractionated into phospholipids and neutral fats by silicic acid column chromatography. In spite of the wide range in total fat content at each location, phospholipids were present in all three muscles at a level of approximately 500 mg per 100 g of muscle tissue. This result, coupled with the lower total fat content of the semitendinosus as compared to the other two muscles, indicated a significantly higher percentage of phospholipid material in the total fat from the semitendinosus as compared to the triceps brachii or longissimus dorsi.
The fatty acids were identified in both lipid fractions using retention time data obtained on both a polar and a non-polar column. The identity of the unsaturated fatty acids was confirmed when their peaks did not appear on the chromatographs obtained from brominated samples. There was significantly more C14:0 in the longissimus dorsi neutral fat fractions than in the semitendinosus neutral fat fractions. In the phospholipids, there was significantly more C16:0 and significantly less C18:0 in the longissimus dorsi as compared to either the semitendinosus or triceps brachii. Although the two lipid fractions of the longissimus dorsi contained slightly higher percentages of total saturated fatty acids than the corresponding fractions in the other two muscles, the effects were not significant.     

Chemical composition of meat and blubber of the Cape fur seal (Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus)

Although the Cape fur seal is harvested commercially in southern Africa, no data exist to indicate whether its meat composition is such that it can be consumed by humans. Presently, these animals are harvested mainly for their hides. Little is known about the chemical composition of the meat and blubber and whether it could be processed into food or animal feed. This is the first report on the chemical composition of the Pectoralis muscle and fat of seal pups and bulls. The fat content in the muscle of pups was higher (4.2 g/100 g) than recorded in bulls (2.4 g/100 g). The protein content in muscle, on the other hand, was similar (23.2 g/100 g) for animals of both age groups. The blubber of bulls had a higher protein level (26.6 g/100 g) compared to that of pups (14.6 g/100 g), but a lower fat content (67.1 g/100 g vs 77.2 g/100 g). Muscle of bulls contained 33% saturated fatty acids (SFA), 29% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and 38% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Muscle of pups contained 39% SFA, 30% MUFA and 31% PUFA. The toxin content in Cape fur seal blubber was lower than that reported for the blubber of Canadian seals. The organochlorine content in the blubber of Cape fur seals was lower than 13.7 ng/g oil, whereas levels as high as 87.2 ng/g have been reported in Canadian seal oil. The chemical composition of the Cape fur seal is such that it could be classified as a healthy meat source.