Fatty acid profile of zebu beef cattle from the Central African sub-region

B M Nfor,M Corazzin,N T Aziwo,A Sepulcri,F A Fonteh,E Piasentier

doi:10.4314/sajas.v44i2.7

B M Nfor, M Corazzin + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v44i2.7

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Abstract

This study analysed the meat fatty acid (FA) composition of three zebu breeds, Gudali (GU), White Fulani (WF) and Red Mbororo (RM), raised on savannah pasture and monitored in the commercial context of the Yaounde abattoir. Samples of m. longissimus thoracis from 60 bulls belonging to the GU, WF and RM breeds were collected and analysed for fat and FA composition. The fat content of the meat was low, but similar across breeds (1.34 ± 0.912 g/100 g muscle, mean ± SD). Meat from the GU breed had higher C18:3n-3 and C22:5n-3 proportions and lower C18:0 and total saturated FA proportions than WF meat. Red Mbororo meat had an intermediate FA composition compared with the other breeds. The elongase and Δ9 desaturase indices were comparable among breeds. In summary, the results indicate that there are minimal differences in beef FA composition of the three breeds from the Central African sub-region. Additionally, based on the polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) proportion, 13.9% of the total lipids and n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio, 1.95, consumption of beef from these breeds could be beneficial to human health. This is possibly owing to the pasture feeding and low fat content of the beef. Keywords : Intramuscular fat; fatty acid composition; natural pasture

Highlights

The Central African sub-region is the smallest beef market in Africa
The aim of this study was to compare the fatty acid (FA) composition of Gudali (GU), White Fulani (WF) and Red Mbororo (RM) bulls raised on savannah pasture
Intramuscular fat content in the current study is comparable with that reported by Salifu et al (2013) in Fulani bulls

Summary

Introduction

The Central African sub-region is the smallest beef market in Africa. In the near future, this region, together with the Western African region, will have the largest increase in beef consumption in Africa (Livestock Data Innovation in Africa Project, 2013). Beef fat has a relatively high ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids (SFA/UFA) in comparison with the meat from monogastric species. This is a risk factor in the development of vascular and coronary diseases (Calder, 2004). In the Central African sub-region, beef is produced from zebu cattle, the main breeds being Red Mbororo and White Fulani. Both breeds belong to the Fulani group, but present distinct characteristics that justify their separate breed status (Ibeagha-Awemu & Erhardt, 2006). The aim of this study was to compare the FA composition of Gudali (GU), White Fulani (WF) and Red Mbororo (RM) bulls raised on savannah pasture

Materials and Methods

Results and Discussion

Conclusions