Effects of feeding in different quality rangelands on meat quality and fatty acids composition in Angora goat kids and young bucks

Authors: BETÜL ZEHRA SARIÇİÇEK

Abstract: The effects of feeding in different quality rangelands on meat quality and fatty acids composition in Angora goat kids and bucks were determined. Twenty male Angora goat kids were selected from each farm that produces Angora goats in the area. There are three separate rangelands with previously determined quality classes (good, medium, and low-quality). In each farm, among these animals grazed completely on the rangeland, 7 heads from 4-month-old kids and 7 heads from 7-month-old bucks were selected and slaughtered. The Longissimus thoracis muscle was removed for meat quality measurement. The increased rangeland quality increased the protein content of kid's meat, and dry matter, protein, and ash contents of buck meat (p < 0.05). Cooking loss was highest in bucks grazing on low-quality rangeland but water-holding capacity was highest in good-quality rangeland (p < 0.05). While the L* value of kid meat grazing on good-quality rangeland was higher than those grazing on low-quality rangeland, the b* value was found to be lower (p < 0.05). The b*, c*, and H* values of buck meat grazing on good-quality rangeland increased significantly compared to those grazing on low-quality rangeland. Rangeland quality did not cause any change in the L* and a* values of meat in bucks and a*, c*, and H* values in kids. The effects of rangeland quality on tenderness, hardness, and shear force of meat were insignificant in kids. The effects on tenderness and hardness of grazing on the rangeland were insignificant, but the shear force of buck meat grazing on lowquality rangeland was higher than those grazing on better qualified rangelands (p < 0.05). While the levels of saturated fatty acids such as butyric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, heptadecanoic, and stearic acid of kids and bucks grazing on low-quality rangelands are higher (p < 0.05) than kids and bucks grazing on good-quality rangelands, unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid were found to be lower. (p < 0.05). In conclusion, rangeland quality partially affects positively meat quality and fatty acid content in 4-monthold Angora goat kids and 7-month-old bucks. K

Keywords: Angora goat kids, bucks, rangeland, meat quality, fatty acids

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