Yield and meat quality attributes of wild fallow deer (Dama Dama) in South Africa

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2016.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Fallow deer (Dama dama), although not native to South Africa, are abundant in the country and could contribute to domestic food security and economic stability. Nonetheless, this wild ungulate remains overlooked as a protein source and no information exists on their production potential and meat quality in South Africa. The aim of this study was thus to determine the carcass characteristics, meat- and offal-yields, and the physical- and chemical-meat quality attributes of wild fallow deer harvested in South Africa. Gender was considered as a main effect when determining carcass characteristics and yields, while both gender and muscle were considered as main effects in the determination of physical and chemical meat quality attributes. Live weights, warm carcass weights and cold carcass weights were higher (p 0.05) with gender, with the LTL and BF being the heaviest. Total meat and bone weights were higher (p < 0.05) for males (20.4 kg and 9.1 kg, respectively) than for females (16.0 kg and 6.9 kg, respectively), but no gender differences were found for the meat-to-bone ratios (2.2–2.3). Physical meat quality measurements and proximate analyses were conducted on six different muscles (LTL, BF, SM, ST, IS and SS) from male (n = 6) and female (n = 6) fallow deer. Ultimate pH (pHu), drip loss, cooking loss and shear force values were influenced (p < 0.05) by muscle, but not by gender. Mean pHu readings ranged from 5.4 to 5.6 in the six muscles, while drip loss, cooking loss and shear force values ranged from 1.3–1.6%, 29.4–36.1% and 31.3–61.9 N, respectively. In terms of colour, the fallow deer muscles were characterised by L* < 40, high a* and low b* values, being in line with the values generally desired by venison meat consumers. Muscle, however, had an effect (p < 0.05) on all the measured colour parameters (L*, a*, b*, chroma, hue-angle), whereas gender only influenced (p < 0.05) the a* and chroma values in certain muscles. The proximate composition of the six fallow deer muscles ranged from 73.3–76.2% moisture, 20.4–23.1% protein, 2.2–3.2% lipid and 1.1–1.5% ash. The concentrations of all the proximate components were influenced (p < 0.05) by muscle, but not by gender. Fatty acid (FA) and mineral analyses were conducted on two fallow deer muscles, namely the LTL and BF. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were found to be the major class of FAs in the muscles (ca. 13.57 mg/g meat), followed by saturated FAs (SFAs; ca. 10.20 mg/g meat) and monounsaturated FAs (MUFAs; ca. 6.46 mg/g meat). Linoleic acid (C18:2n6) and arachidonic acid (C20:4n6) made up the largest proportions of the PUFAs, while stearic acid (C18:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0) were the main SFAs measured. Nonetheless, the PUFA content was influenced (p LTL), the MUFA content was influenced (p male), and a significant (p 0.4) and omega-6/omega-3 ( 0.05) as gevolg van geslag nie en die LTL en BF was die swaarste spiere. Die totale massa van die vleis en bene was hoër by die manlike takbokke (20.4 kg en 9.1 kg, onderskeidelik) as by die vroulike takbokke (16.0 kg en 6.9 kg, onderskeidelik), alhoewel daar geen verskil was in die vleis tot been verhoudings nie (2.2–2.3). Die fisiese vleiskwaliteit en proksimale samestelling is bepaal op ses verskillende spiere (LTL, BF, SM, ST, IS and SS) van manlike (n = 6) en vroulike (n = 6) takbokke. Die finale pH (pHu), dripverlies, kookverlies en instrumentele sagtheid is beïnvloed (p LTL), die MUFA inhoud deur geslag (vroulik > manlik) en ‘n betekenisvolle spiertipe x geslag interaksie is gevind rakende die SFA inhoud. In geheel het al die spiere gunstige PUFA/SFA verhoudings (> 0.4) asook omega-6 tot omega-3 verhoudings (< 4) en kan dus gesien word as gesonde bronne van vet. Die hoof essensiële makrominerale in die LTL en BF was kalium, fosfaat, natrium en magnesium terwyl yster, sink en koper die primêre mikrominerale teenwoordig was. Dit wil voorkom of die konsentrasie minerale meer deur spiertipe as deur geslag beïnvloed word. Hierdie studie verteenwoordig die eerste poging om die opbrengs en vleiskwaliteit van wilde takbokke in Suid-Afrika te kwantifiseer. Die resultate bied ‘n platform om sodoende die aanwending en verbruikers aanvaarding van takbokvleis te bevorder