Effect of Sex and Age on Nutritional Content in Wild Axis Deer (Axis axis Erx.) Meat

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of sex and age on proximate chemical, fatty acid, amino acid and mineral content of axis deer (Axis axis Erx.) meat. Sixteen (n = 16) animals were hunt-harvested and assigned to groups according sex and age (sub-adult and adult). All analyses were made on m. longissimus thoracis sampled between the 9th and 13th ribs. Minor differences in nutritional composition of axis deer meat were found between analysed sex and age groups. Axis deer meat has a high protein (22.8%) and low fat (1.39%) content. Saturated fatty acids accounted for 44.97% and polyunsaturated for 29.66% of the total fatty acids. Ratios of fatty acids were within the recommended values. Glutamic and aspartic acid were the most abundant non-essential, and lysine and leucine the most common essential amino acids. The ratio of essential to non-essential amino acids was <1. Potassium and phosphorous were the dominant macro-minerals, while iron and zinc were the dominant micro-minerals. The results of this study show that regardless of sex or age, axis deer meat can be considered a good source of basic macro- and micro-nutrients, and can be recommended as a substitute for red meat from domestic animals.

Proximate Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Lipid Qualitative Indices of Brown Bear Meat

“…In the present study, the fat content in brown bear meat was higher than that reported for other omnivores [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ] and herbivore wild game species [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. The fat content in meat is highly variable and influenced by many factors, especially diet [ 1 ].…”

“…There have been numerous studies on the meat quality of different game species harvested worldwide, like wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ], red deer ( Cervus elaphus ), fallow deer ( Dama dama ) [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], European mouflon ( Ovis aries musimon ) and axis deer ( Axis axis ) [ 14 , 15 ], impala ( Aepyceros melampus ) and springbok ( Antidorcas marsupialis ) [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], black bear ( Ursus americanus ) [ 20 ], and beaver ( Castor fiber ) [ 21 ].…”

Comparison of Lipid Properties and Cadmium and Lead Content in Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) Meat from Three Feeding Grounds

“…In red deer, the fodder consumed between spring and autumn has paramount importance in this regard. The abundance of forest vegetation and agricultural crops contributes to a richer fatty acid profile and a more pronounced aroma in the meat of free-living red deer [ 19 , 23 , 28 ]. In this period, the main deer fodder comprises dicotyledonous herbaceous plants, grasses, legumes, sedges, and rushes (up to 80%).…”

“…This number increased to 857 in 2021, with approximately 35,000 red deer reared on farms [ 26 ]. Many aspects have been addressed in investigations of the nutritional value and meat quality in free-living red deer [ 17 , 18 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], farmed deer [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], and both groups in comparative studies [ 23 ]. The effects of sex [ 17 , 18 , 23 , 28 , 34 ], age [ 27 , 28 ], diet [ 33 ], slaughter season [ 32 ], and country of origin [ 32 ], mainly on the fatty acid profile, were determined in these studies carried out on conventional farms.…”

“…Many aspects have been addressed in investigations of the nutritional value and meat quality in free-living red deer [ 17 , 18 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], farmed deer [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ], and both groups in comparative studies [ 23 ]. The effects of sex [ 17 , 18 , 23 , 28 , 34 ], age [ 27 , 28 ], diet [ 33 ], slaughter season [ 32 ], and country of origin [ 32 ], mainly on the fatty acid profile, were determined in these studies carried out on conventional farms. There is interest in the manipulation of the meat fatty acid profile, due to their possible beneficial and or detrimental action on human health.…”