The effect of season, sex, and portion on the carcass characteristics, pH, color, and proximate composition of Egyptian Goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) meat

Impact of frozen storage on some functional properties and sensory evaluation of goose meat

The objective of this study was to investigate the changes in the functional properties (pH, water holding capacity [WHC], water binding capacity [WBC], cooking losses [CL], defrosting losses [DL]), color parameters (L*, a*, b*, C, h°, ΔE), and sensory evaluation of breast (BM) and leg (LM) muscles from 17-wk-old female White Kołuda geese packaged in a vacuum and stored in frozen conditions at -20°C. During 17 wk, the geese were fed ad libitum on the same complete feed. The samples (18 BM and 18 LM) from the right part of the carcasses were stored for 30, 90, 80, 270, and 365 d. The changes in functional properties were established using a standard method used in the meat industry, according to Wierbicki et al. (1962), Grau and Hamm (1953), and CIE, (1986). Sensory evaluation was established according to defined parameters in PN-ISO 8586-2:2008. The time of frozen storage affected the decrease in WHC and WBC of BM and LM. Moreover, the LM can be characterized by a higher WHC and WBC compared to the values in the BM. It was established that CL and DL, which are the critical quality indicators, negatively increased in BM and LM during frozen storage. Considering the sensory evaluation and L*, a*, b*, C, it was established that changes in BM and LM during frozen storage were unfavorable. The scores given for smell, taste, consistency, and general appearance, as also L*, a*, and b* parameters decreased significantly during frozen storage. In addition, BM received lower scores for general appearance (at 180th and 270th day), and L* (in all frozen storage), than LM. BM and LM characterized the parameter ΔE in the range of 0.44 to 1.45, which allowed us to conclude that slight color differences were visible in these muscles (<2). Based on the study, it can be suggested that the optimal frozen storage time for BM and LM should not be longer than 180 d.

Effect of crossbreeding and sex on slaughter performance and meat quality in Xingguo gray goose based on multiomics data analysis

Here, we examined the effects of crossbreeding and sex on growth performance, slaughter performance, and meat quality in Xingguo gray (XG) goose, using transcriptomic and metabolomic techniques. The experiment was conducted using 400 goslings (1-day old) of 2 genotypes: the XG breed and its ternary hybrids [F₂ geese; (XG Goose♂ × Yangzhou Goose♀)♀ × Shitou Goose♂]. The goslings were divided into 4 groups: female XG, male XG, female F₂ geese, and male F₂ geese, and growth parameters were examined at 70 d of age, using 30 birds from each group. Following slaughter, samples of breast and thigh muscles were collected from each group for chemical, metabolome, and transcriptome analyses. Growth rate, live body and slaughter weights, meat chemical composition, and muscle fiber diameter were affected by crossbreeding and sex. Crossbreeding significantly improved the dressing percentage, semieviscerated rate, eviscerated yield, and abdominal fat yield of XG geese. To clarify the potential regulatory network affected by crossbreeding and sex, we used RNA-seq and nontargeted metabolomics to detect changes in male and female goose breast muscle. The transcriptome results showed that there were 534, 323, 297, and 492 differently expressed genes (DEGs) among the 4 comparison groups (XG-Female vs. F₂-Female, XG-Male vs. F₂-Male, F₂-Male vs. F₂-Female, and XG-Male vs. XG-Female, respectively) that were mainly related to muscle growth and development and fatty acid metabolism pathways. A total of 141 significantly differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) were enriched in serine and threonine, propionate, and pyruvate metabolism. Finally, we comprehensively analyzed the metabolome and transcriptome data and found that many DEGs and DAMs played crucial roles in lipid metabolism and muscle growth and development. In summary, crossbreeding can improve XG goose production performance and affect breast muscle gene expression and metabolites in both female and male geese.

Carcass and meat quality traits and their relationships in Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire barrows slaughtered at various seasons

To understand characteristics of carcass traits and meat quality in pig population, 22 indicators of carcass characteristics and meat quality traits were measured on 278 Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire barrows that were slaughtered in different seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter). The effects of body weight and season on carcass characteristics and meat quality were analyzed by GLM procedure, followed the Bonferroni multiple test. The phenotypic correlations among those traits were calculated by employing the CORR procedure. In addition, the linear regression equations were constructed by stepwise regression model in REG procedure. The results showed that pigs slaughtered in spring had the heaviest body weight among the four seasons (P < 0.05), pigs slaughtered in summer had the lowest backfat depth and shear force (P < 0.05), and pigs slaughtered in winter had the lowest drip loss (P < 0.05). The results showed more variation in backfat depth, drip loss, intramuscular fat content, and shear force, compared with other indicators across pigs. Body weight had a significant association with loin eye area, average backfat depth and L^⁎_{24 h} (P < 0.05). Furthermore, regression equations for drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, and intramuscular fat content were constructed using more accessible indicators. Collectively, this study provided an overall view of carcass and meat quality traits in a commercial pig population in China, and illustrated that season significantly affected carcass characteristics and meat quality traits independently of body weight.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation of Chinese Yam Polysaccharide on Carcass Composition, Meat Quality, and Antioxidant Capacity in Broilers

The study aimed to evaluate the influences of the dietary supplementation of Chinese yam polysaccharide (CYP) on the carcass performance, antioxidant capacity, and meat quality of broilers. Three hundred and sixty healthy 1-day-old broilers with similar body weight (39 ± 1 g, gender balanced) were randomly divided into four groups (control, CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups). In the control group, broilers were fed a basal diet with CYP, and the CYP1, CYP2, and CYP3 groups were fed diets supplemented with 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg CYP, respectively. There were three replicates in each group, 30 birds in each replicate, and the feeding trial lasted for 48 days. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) by one-way analysis of variance. The results showed that compared with the control group, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CYP can improve live weight, half-eviscerated carcass percentage, eviscerated carcass percentage, and thigh muscle percentage. Moreover, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CYP can improve the contents of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione s-transferase (GST) in serum (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and catalase (CAT) in the liver; the mRNA expression levels of HO-1, NQO1, GPX1, and CAT in the breast muscle; and the mRNA expression levels of NQO1, SOD1, and CAT in the thigh muscle of broilers in the CYP2 group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). In addition, the yellowness and shear force of the thigh and breast muscles and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of broilers in the control group were higher than that in the CYP2 groups (p < 0.05). The results demonstrated that the CYP2 group had the best effect on improving meat quality. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 500 mg/kg CYP can improve the meat quality of broilers by improving carcass quality, meat color, shear force, and antioxidant capacity.

Effect of season on slaughter performance, meat quality, muscle amino acid and fatty acid composition, and metabolism of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

This study aimed to investigate the effect of summer and winter on slaughter performance, muscle quality, flavor-related substance content, and gene expression levels related to the fat metabolism of pheasants. One-hundred 1-day-old pheasants were fed for 5 months starting in March and July and then, respectively, slaughtered in summer (August) and winter (December). The results revealed that compared with summer, winter not only increased pheasant live weight, dressed percentage, full-eviscerated yield, and muscle yield (p < 0.05) but also enhanced the activities of SOD and CAT in serum (p < 0.05). Winter significantly increased meat color, the contents of inosinic acid, and flavor amino acid in muscle. Amino acid contents in leg muscles of pheasants in winter were significantly higher than in summer except for histidine (p < 0.05). Winter increased the contents of muscle mono-unsaturated fatty acid, reducing saturated fatty acid. Summer improved fat synthesis in liver, promoted the deposition of triglycerides and cholesterol, and reduced the expression levels of fat metabolism-related genes in muscle, while winter increased the expression levels of genes related to muscle fat metabolism to provide energy for body and affect muscle fatty acid profile. Overall, pheasants fed in winter had better sensory quality and flavor than summer.

Effect of parent flock age on hatching, growth rate, and features of both sexes goose carcasses

The study aimed to assess the hatchability of goslings from parent flocks of geese in 4 laying seasons and to analyze the growth, carcass, and muscles characteristics. The hatching eggs from the White Kołuda geese from the 1st to 4th laying season were incubated by the waterfowl hatching technology. Hatchability rates were calculated. 40 goslings were selected from each group. The geese were reared and fattened for 16 wk, (sex ratio of 1:1). From the 1-day-old goslings and at the end of the fattening period, the pectoral muscles were sampled to evaluate the muscle fibers. The body weight of the geese and the growth rate were analyzed. Body measurements were taken on the day of slaughter (6 birds/each group). The dissection was performed and the tissue composition of the carcasses was analyzed, including the percentage of carcass elements. The results were analyzed in terms of the age of the parent flock and the sex of oat geese. Hatchability performance was similar in all groups. Lower body weight of geese from group I was demonstrated at 0, 1, 7, 10 to 12 wk compared to birds from older geese. The growth rate in this group was higher than in groups III (2nd wk) and IV (1st wk). From 4 wkof age, the males had a higher body weight. In 1-day-old male goslings, a higher diameter of muscle fibers was demonstrated than in females. The body measurements of ganders were significantly higher compared to females, except for the length of the jump. Males were characterized by a higher weight of carcass parts. However, the share of abdominal fat was higher in females. No significant differences were found in the remaining features. Geese from different ages’ parent flocks don't differ in the carcass features (the compensation phenomenon). The sex of the geese was influenced. It is reasonable to hatch goslings for fattening from parent flocks during 4 years of reproductive use.

Effects of Dietary Rapeseed and Camelina Seed Cakes on Physical-Technological Properties of Goose Meat

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of commercial diet supplemented with rapeseed and camelina seed cakes on the physical and technological attributes of goose meat quality. The breast and thigh muscles from thirty geese of both sexes of the Lithuanian native breed Vištinės fed the diet containing either rapeseed cake (group 1) or camelina cake (group 2) at the age of 13 weeks were used for the evaluation of physical and technological attributes. The diet did not affect the colour of goose meat; however, females showed higher (p < 0.05) values of breast yellowness (b*) and hue angle (h). The camelina group demonstrated higher (p < 0.001) cooking losses of breast and thigh muscles and also higher (p < 0.05) EZ drip loss and thawing loss of thigh muscles compared with the rapeseed group. Females had higher (p < 0.05) cooking loss of the breast, whereas males had higher (p < 0.05) cooking loss of the thigh. The growth rate of geese and their slaughter time showed an effect (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) on pH of thigh muscles. Higher (p < 0.01) hardness of the breast muscle in the camelina group compared with the rapeseed group was detected by the texture profile analysis (TPA) as well as other parameters such as cohesiveness and gumminess, chewiness. Despite some differences in technological meat quality attributes, the quality of goose meat produced with diet supplementation of 10% of rapeseed cake and camelina seed cake can be considered as suitable.

Present Conservation Status and Carcass and Meat Characteristics of Lithuanian Vištinės Goose Breed

Simple Summary

Goose meat is known as a meat with specific aroma and flavour traits compared to other meats from poultry and other animal species. Despite a low goose meat share in meat production and consumption, a large number of different goose breeds and varieties are known. However, most of them are rare and endangered. As goose breeding is not profitable, the specificity of goose products should be evaluated and highlighted. The aim of this study was to identify the status of the conserved Lithuanian Vištinės goose breed and evaluate goose carcass and meat characteristics in the breast and thigh depending on the sex. Monitoring of geese included in the breeding system has enabled us to evaluate the changes in population size and conservation status, which remains critical maintained. The sex appeared to affect the carcass composition but did not show the effect on meat properties, whereas the muscle type had an effect on the parameters of meat and lipid quality. Thigh muscles showed more favourable lipid indices in relation to healthy nutrition of consumers in comparison to the breast.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to identify the conservation status of Lithuanian local Vištinės goose breed and evaluate the carcass and meat quality characteristics in the breast and thigh depending on the sex. The status of the Lithuanian Vištinės goose breed was evaluated by monitoring of the birds, which are included in the breeding system. Twenty geese from the nucleus flock at the age of 10 weeks and reared using a commercial concentrate diet ad libitum were used for the carcass and meat quality evaluation. Due to fluctuations in the numbers of geese and reproduction of purebred birds on a largest scale from the nucleus flock, the status of Vištinės goose population remains critical-maintained. The difference in the live body weight between males and females was insignificant, whereas males showed higher carcass weight (p < 0.05), including the weight of breast, wings, thighs and neck. The sex did not affect the meat quality parameters, but the anatomical location of muscles has appeared to show a high effect. Thigh muscles had lower (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively) protein and cholesterol, and higher (p < 0.001) intramuscular fat contents compared with the breast. Thigh muscles also showed higher (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively) pH and EZ drip loss, but lower (p < 0.001) cooking loss compared with the breast. The breast was characterized by a higher (p < 0.001) shear of force and toughness with Warner–Bratzler test and higher (p < 0.001) hardness detected by texture profile analysis (TPA) compared with the thigh. Breast lipids had higher (p < 0.001) proportion of total saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, whereas the thigh was characterized by a higher proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids. Atherogenic (AI) and thrombogenic (TI) indexes were higher (p < 0.001) and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic (h/H) ratio was lower (p < 0.001) and less favourable in the breast compared with the thigh. Despite the muscle type differences, goose meat of the local conserved breed exhibited good quality and expected enhancing impact on consumer health.

Calpain activation and proteolysis in postmortem goose muscles

Meat tenderness is considered as the most important criterion for meat quality by consumers and can be improved by the actions of endogenous proteases, mainly calpains, during postmortem storage at 0-5°C. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine the postmortem calpain activation and proteolysis in breast (BM) and leg and thigh (LM) muscles of White Roman goose. BM and LM were taken from goose carcasses (n = 15) at 0 (10-15 min postmortem), 1, 3, and 7 days of storage at 5°C. The decrease in postmortem pH, calpain-1 and -11 activities, and contents of the calpain-1 80 kDa subunit and desmin was more rapid (p < .05) in BM than in LM. Our results show that postmortem proteolysis was more extensive in BM than in LM of White Roman goose, not only because the difference in fiber type composition between two muscles, but because the rate and extent of calpain activation were greater in BM as well. These results may provide useful information to optimize meat processing for different muscles in goose industry.

Effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan on carcass composition and meat quality in growing Huoyan geese

This present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of chitosan (CS) on carcass composition and meat quality in growing Huoyan geese. A total of 320 (28-day-old) growing Huoyan geese (sex balance) with similar body weight were randomly divided into the following 4 main groups: basal diet (control), basal diet + 100 mg/kg CS (CS₁₀₀), basal diet + 200 mg/kg CS (CS₂₀₀), and basal diet + 400 mg/kg CS (CS₄₀₀) groups. Each group includes 4 replicates with 20 geese per replicate, and the feeding trail lasted for 4 wk. The results showed that the geese in CS₂₀₀ group had lower abdominal fat percentage, b∗ value, shear force, crude fat content, and drip loss of breast and thigh muscle than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, the CS₂₀₀ group had higher glutamic acid, glycine, lysine, valine, total nonessential amino acids, total essential amino acids, total amino acids, C22:0, C16:1, C18:1, C20:1, C20:2, C20:5, total monounsaturated fatty acids concentration and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and saturated fatty acids (SFA) ratio and lower total SFA, total PUFA concentration, and total n-6:n-3 ratio in breast muscle than the control group (P < 0.05). Taken together, these results indicated that addition of 200 mg/kg CS improved meat quality in growing Huoyan geese through altering slaughter performance, meat traits, amino acids, and fatty acids composition.

The carcass traits, carcass nutrient composition, amino acid, fatty acid, and cholesterol contents of local Turkish goose varieties reared in an extensive production system

This study was performed to determine the slaughter and carcass traits, meat color, pH, nutrient composition, fatty acids, amino acids, and cholesterol content of local Turkish goose varieties. In the present study, a total of 80 geese from white, black, gray, and multicolored varieties were reared in an extensive production system at 28 wk of age. Quality analysis was performed on breast and thigh meat, as well as on the skin and abdominal fat of studied geese. Slaughter and carcass weights were significantly higher in the white variety (P < 0.01). Measured abdominal fat was lower in black and gray geese. Furthermore, the color and pH values were significantly different on breast, thigh, and skin among varieties. Additionally, measured breast meat b*, thigh meat L*, and b* values were higher in male geese. Breast meat protein levels were lower in black and gray geese, and also lower in the thigh meat of gray geese. Total breast meat amino acids were lower in white geese, and the amino acid content of thigh meat was lower in multicolored varieties. Moreover, differences in fatty acid composition were found among the studied varieties. However, cholesterol levels did not differ for either sex or variety.

Microbiological Analysis of Dried Goose Carcasses

Microbiological studies on chicken meat and carcasses are well documented, but very few studies exist on goose meat and carcasses. Therefore, in this study, dried goose carcass samples were collected from the local households in Kars/Turkey and microbiologically analyzed in terms of public health risks. The total mesophilic viable count was found to be 6.58 (mean log10 CFU g−1) (100%). The number of Enterobacteriaceae was 4.85 (92.8%). Coliform bacteria was counted at the numbers of 2.98 (67.8%), while it was 3.95 (91.1%) for the enterococci, 0.42 (26.7%) for the clostridia, 0.04 (3.5%) for the Clostridium perfringens, and 0.41 (12.5%) for the coagulase positive staphylococci. The numbers of mould and yeast were 0.93 (25%) and 4.81 (94.6%), respectively. Salmonellae and Bacillus cereus could not be isolated in the samples. The results indicate that the dried goose meat samples had poor hygienic quality, contained some of the pathogen microorganisms that are likely to pose a potential health risk.

The influence of season on the sensory profile of Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) meat

The feeding activities of Egyptian geese are becoming a problem for crop farmers in South Africa. Their grain-based diet during the harvesting season compared to the diet during the rest of the year may have an influence on the meat quality, especially the sensory profile. Descriptive sensory analysis, physical measurements, and the proximate composition were used to investigate these effects. Season was a major influential factor with the meat from summer associating with sweet-oily-duck and beef attributes in contrast to the strong association towards the game, metallic, and fish attributes of the winter meat. This is due to the difference in the main fatty acids; winter was higher (P ≤ 0.05) in polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFA: ) (C18:3 n-3) and summer higher (P ≤ 0.05) in monounsaturated fatty acid (C18:1 n-9). This study established that season has a significant effect on the sensory profile of Egyptian goose meat and should be considered regarding the utilization and consumption.

Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Candidate Genes Related to Intramuscular Fat Deposition and Fatty Acid Composition in the Breast Muscle of Squabs (Columba)

Despite the fact that squab is consumed throughout the world because of its high nutritional value and appreciated sensory attributes, aspects related to its characterization, and in particular genetic issues, have rarely been studied. In this study, meat traits in terms of pH, water-holding capacity, intramuscular fat content, and fatty acid profile of the breast muscle of squabs from two meat pigeon breeds were determined. Breed-specific differences were detected in fat-related traits of intramuscular fat content and fatty acid composition. RNA-Sequencing was applied to compare the transcriptomes of muscle and liver tissues between squabs of two breeds to identify candidate genes associated with the differences in the capacity of fat deposition. A total of 27 differentially expressed genes assigned to pathways of lipid metabolism were identified, of which, six genes belonged to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor signaling pathway along with four other genes. Our results confirmed in part previous reports in livestock and provided also a number of genes which had not been related to fat deposition so far. These genes can serve as a basis for further investigations to screen markers closely associated with intramuscular fat content and fatty acid composition in squabs. The data from this study were deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI)’s Sequence Read Archive under the accession numbers SRX1680021 and SRX1680022. This is the first transcriptome analysis of the muscle and liver tissue in Columba using next generation sequencing technology. Data provided here are of potential value to dissect functional genes influencing fat deposition in squabs.

Post mortem rigor development in the Egyptian goose (Alopochen aegyptiacus) breast muscle (pectoralis): factors which may affect the tenderness

BACKGROUND

Baseline research on the toughness of Egyptian goose meat is required. This study therefore investigates the post mortem pH and temperature decline (15 min-4 h 15 min post mortem) in the pectoralis muscle (breast portion) of this gamebird species. It also explores the enzyme activity of the Ca(2+)-dependent protease (calpain system) and the lysosomal cathepsins during the rigor mortis period.

RESULTS

No differences were found for any of the variables between genders. The pH decline in the pectoralis muscle occurs quite rapidly (c = -0.806; ultimate pH ∼ 5.86) compared with other species and it is speculated that the high rigor temperature (>20 °C) may contribute to the increased toughness. No calpain I was found in Egyptian goose meat and the µ/m-calpain activity remained constant during the rigor period, while a decrease in calpastatin activity was observed. The cathepsin B, B & L and H activity increased over the rigor period.

CONCLUSION

Further research into the connective tissue content and myofibrillar breakdown during aging is required in order to know if the proteolytic enzymes do in actual fact contribute to tenderisation.

The fatty acid, amino acid, and mineral composition of Egyptian goose meat as affected by season, gender, and portion

With the current absence of scientific information on the nutritive aspects it is essential to investigate the fatty acid, mineral, and amino acid composition of Egyptian geese as well as the factors of influence. The forage vs. grain based diets of Egyptian geese during certain periods of the yr leads to variation in the content of the key fatty acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid. The differences in these fatty acids results in variation between the n-6/n-3 ratios of the seasons; the portions from winter (July) are within the recommendations (ratio <5) and those from summer (November) not. This study indicates that Egyptian goose meat does not only vary in nutritional composition but season may also have a substantial effect on the flavor profile and ultimate uniformity of the meat. The season and portion effects were, however, interlinked but the general tendency shows that the portions, especially the breast and thigh do differ concerning the major fatty acids. No substantial differences were found in the mineral composition of the breast portion on account of season and gender; however there were some variation in certain amino acids such as lysine and arginine due to season/diet. This research provides essential information that should be considered not only regarding the everyday consumption of Egyptian goose meat but the potential utilization and ultimate consistency of this meat product.