Effects of different production systems on carcass and meat quality of sheep and lamb from Western Balkan and Norway

M Bjelanovic,B Markovic,B Egelandsdal,G Vucic,V Grabez,A Martinovic,L.R Lima

doi:10.2298/bah1502203b

Abstract

The identification of meat quality characteristics from selected breeds grazing in specific regions is particularly relevant to achieve a marketing advantage. Longisimus thoracis at lumborum (LTL) from the indigenous Western Balkan (WB) sheep - VlasickaPramenka (VP) sheep and lambs, and Pivska Pramenka (PP) sheep grazing in Bosnia & Herzegovina (B&H) and Montenegro (MN), respectively, was compared regarding carcass and meat qualities to the crossbred Norwegian white sheep (NWS) - sheep and lambs, grazing in wide Hardangervidda and Jotunheimen regions where the lamb meat is marketed as gourmet meat. The WB sheep had lower average carcass weights and antioxidant capacity, higher ultimate pH, intramuscular fat and n-6/n-3 ratio, but better tenderness and color stability compared to NWS. The WB lambs were lighter, had higher n-6/n-3 ratio, lower antioxidant capacity and became more easily rancid despite a higher fat ?-tocopherol content. The marketing advantage of WB meat is its tenderness properties while NO's NWS lambs displayed a better nutritional profile.

Highlights

The consumers’ have an increasing interest in more healthy meat products and lower production costs
The aim of this study was to: 1) describe the meat quality characteristics of Western Balkan Pivska Pramenka (PP) and VP breeds grazing in typical regions; 2) compare sheep and lamb meat quality from WB regions with a crossbreed Norwegian white sheep (NWS) from Norwegian mountains developed for intensive meat production; 3) describe the meat quality variations within each meat production group
NO carcasses had nominally higher slaughter weights when compared to carcasses from WB

Summary

Introduction

The consumers’ have an increasing interest in more healthy meat products and lower production costs. EU’s Common Agricultural Policy stimulates at the same time pasture-based production systems resulting in meat with higher content of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (Enser et al, 1998; Carrasco et al, 2009). The consumers in Western Balkan (WB) are becoming more aware of claimed organic meat advantages, but prefer domestic meat from non-conventional production systems. The purcase motives for such meat are safety, "natural" content, health, good meat quality and a distinctive taste (Vukasovič, 2013). The Norwegian consumers prefer domestic meat from mountain pastures with perceived elements of naturalness, healthiness and environmental friendly production combined with good meat quality (Hersleth et al, 2012). In Europe the Spanish scientists have carried out a substantial amount of research on their autochthonous breed Aragonese in order to obtain the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) label ( a ne -Cerezo et al, 2005)

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