CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CERVUS ELAPHUS MEAT BY AGE AND BREED

Abstract

The aim of the work was to evaluate and compare the basic chemical composition (water, protein, fat, and cholesterol content) of the musculus biceps femoris of free-range and farmed deer, as well as by age. 80 pcs individuals were evaluated in the experiment, of which 40 pcs were farmed, and 40 pcs were free-range. Based on the results, we can conclude that the chemical composition of the thigh muscle of farmed and free-range deer older than 2 years had higher (p≤0.05) cholesterol values ​​(0.041 g.100 g^-1; 0.041 g.100 g^-1) than deer under 2 years (0.035 g.100 g^-1; 0.037 g.100 g^-1). In deer over 2 years old compared to deer under 2 years old, a significant difference (p≤0.05) was also found in the water content (72.735 g.100 g^-1:71.563 g.100 g^-1). Comparing deer by sex, we found significant differences (p≤0.05) in fat content (0.854 g.100 g^-1 - male:0.555 g.100 g^-1 - female) in deer from farmed farms. Comparing the sum without sex, we did not find significant differences between farmed and wild deer (p≥0.05). Overall, it can be stated that both farmed and wild deer are carriers of high amounts of protein and water and low fat and cholesterol content.