Carcass and meat characteristics from farm-raised and wild fallow deer (Dama dama) and red deer (Cervus elaphus): A review

Effect of age on nutritional properties of Iberian wild red deer meat

“…This result agrees with data reported by other authors, who observed higher monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content in older deer and higher PUFA amount in younger animals . This fact could be due to the higher IMF content in older animals and different relative amounts of triacylglycerol and phospholipid fractions in muscle lipids . In addition, we found a positive correlation between IMF amount and SFA ( r = 0.625, P < 0.01) and MUFA ( r = 0.645, P < 0.01) contents, whereas a negative correlation between IMF level and PUFA content ( r = −0.606, P < 0.01) was observed.…”

“…Finally, Cu levels varied from 1.93 to 2.11 mg kg −1 muscle for old and young animals respectively. Copper is a main essential micro‐mineral for deer, and the liver is the main storage organ playing a key role in its metabolism and reflecting the Cu status of the animal body . Our Cu values were lower than data (2.1–4.2 mg kg −1 muscle) found in roe deer meat .…”

“…On the contrary, Vengušt and Vengušt found that P was the most abundant macro‐mineral in the liver of grazing fallow deer. The mineral content of deer meat is closely linked to the natural environment, as deer graze and browse on grasses, herbs, coniferous species as well as meadow or crop plants and their meat will thus reflect the mineral composition of their diet . In addition, the mineral concentration varies across muscles and organs, also in relation to the type of physical activity and muscle fiber type composition …”

“…From a nutritional point of view, meat is known to be an important dietary source of amino acids, proteins and minerals . In this regard, deer meat is a good food commodity for consumers owing to several properties, including low intramuscullar fat (IMF) and cholesterol content and high iron content . In addition, this meat presents a high content of unsaturated fatty acids in relation to saturated fatty acids (SFA) and is a good source of long‐chain n ‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) .…”

“…In addition, this meat presents a high content of unsaturated fatty acids in relation to saturated fatty acids (SFA) and is a good source of long‐chain n ‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) . Owing to these nutritional properties, deer meat consumption is slowly increasing in several countries based on claims that it is a healthier red meat …”