No abstract

One of the most valuable foods is meat, due its nutritional value, largely determined by the essential amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, etc. At the same time, concern needs to be given to health of consumers by used products with less calories, which can be ensured by greater variety of game animals, including also deer grown in captivity. The aim of our investigation was to compare the nutrition value of elk, wild deer, farm deer, roe deer, and wild boar that were killed during hunting in Latvia. Meat samples (m. logissimus lumborum) were collected in the autumn- winter season. The results of the conducted research suggest that game meat samples have higher protein and essential fatty acid content in comparison with domestic animals. The amount of fat in all analysed samples did not differ greatly, although the fatty acid content in wild game meat differed significantly. The fatty acid profile was used to calculate the atherogenicity index (AI), which has a positive correlation with the risk of cardiovascular disorders. The formula AI = [C12 : 0 + (C14 : 0 × 4) + C16 : 0 ] / (Total unsaturated fatty acids) was used to calculate the ratio of total saturated fatty acids, ω-6 and ω-3. Regarding the microelement content of meat there were great differences in iron and manganese concentration among animals.

Key words: covered and naked barley, dietary fi ber, β-glucans, amino acids, α-tocopherol By developing new varieties suitable for the production of healthy products, given the greater consumer and manufacturer focus on the functional ingredients and nutritional properties of barley, new opportunities to incorporate barley into human foods are created. Therefore, the aim of investigation was to analyze grain composition of barley varieties and perspective breeding lines bred in Latvia and to evaluate its functional ingredients depending on varieties, year and nitrogen fertilizer rates. The content of protein, starch, β-glucans, total dietary fi ber, composition of amino acids and α-tocopherol were determined in the studied samples. The results of two-year analysis showed that the protein content in barley grain samples ranged from 10.5 to 13.9%, total dietary fi ber -from 18.74 to 20.82%, but the content of β-glucans ranged from 3.44 to 4.97%. The content of α-tocopherol was determined to range from 7.21 to 8.58 mg/kg, and the sum of essential amino acids -from 31.5 to 38.9 g/kg. Although covered barley varieties demonstrated a higher content of such functional ingredients as α-tocopherol, total dietary fi ber and β-glucans, naked barley grains had a higher protein content, the sum of essential amino acids, and, particularly lysine, was not far behind the content recommended by nutrition experts.

Cereals, including barley, have been recognised as functional foods that provide beneficial effect on the health of the consumer and decrease the risk of various diseases. The aim of investigation was to determine the grain composition of barley varieties and perspective breeding lines bred in Latvia and to evaluate its functional ingredients. The results of analysis showed that protein content among varieties ranged from 106.6-146.8 g·kg-1, total dietary fibre 187.4-208.2 g·kg-1, β-glucans 42.8 g-49.4 g·kg-1, and amount of α-tocopherol 6.03-8.93 mg·kg-1. The sum of essential amino acids in barley grain samples was from 32.90 g·kg-1 to 38.71 g·kg-1. All varieties of hulled and hulless barley grain were found to be sources of protein with high biological value. Comparison of barley varieties bred in Latvia suggests that variety ‘Kornelija’ outperforms others in protein, dietary fibre and micronutrient content.

No abstract