Content of macro- and microelements in meat of male kids and ram lambs in relation to their slaughter age

Abstract

The aim of the experiment was to determine the content of some chemical elements in meat tissue in kids of the White Improved breed and in rams of the Polish Lowland breed. After weaning (60 days of life), the animals were fed all-mash CJ and meadow hay. The mixtures were produced from components originating from the Polish region called Podlasie. At the age of 1 month, all kids and rams were castrated using the blood method. They were slaughtered at the age of 90, 120, 150 and 180 days of life. Samples to analyse the chemical elements were taken from longissimus dorsi muscles. Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Zn, Mn, Fe and Mg were determined. Generally, more Pb in meat tissue of kids than rams was found, and a significant difference (p=0.01) for the slaughter on the 120 th day of life was proven. However, the content of Cd was larger (p=0.05 for 90, 120 and 150 days) in ram tissues (0.003-0.014 mg kg–1) than in kids. It should be noticed that both in kid and ram meat tissues, the norms for Pb and Cd content, established by the Minister of Health and the European Committee, were not exceeded, which makes the meat suitable for consumers. The meat tissue of kids was richer in iron and poorer in zinc and copper than that of lambs, and the level of these elements decreased with the slaughter age. It was also observed that the iron content in meat tissue on the 180-day slaughter of animals was less than 17 mg kg–1. More copper in meat tissue of rams and zinc in kids slaughtered at the age of 150 and 180 days were found. To sum up, intensive feeding applied to fatten kids and lambs did not affect the accumulation of chemical elements in meat, and especially that of heavy metals.