Abstract
Simple SummaryThe biodiversity protection represents a challenge of the agenda ONU 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Autochthonous sheep breeds, including Altamurana, Bagnolese, Gentile di Puglia, Laticauda and Leccese, reared in continental Southern Italy, are strongly affected by extinction risk; thus, it is urgent to find new solutions to valorise their products and obtain sustainable and smart food from local farms. The objective of the present study was to assess the lamb carcass commercial quality, chemical and fatty acid composition of Altamurana, Bagnolese, Gentile di Puglia, Laticauda and Leccese autochtonous sheep breeds. Data on EU Mediterranean classification showed that the carcasses from both Bagnolese and Laticauda breeds were classified in the heaviest category C. Moreover, breed can influence the meat fatty acids profile, which is resulted rich in conjugated linoleic acid with good nutritional properties; thus, lambs’ meat from autochthonous sheep breeds can be considered interesting for human consumption. The present study can help to protect the biodiversity of livestock heritage of Southern Italy and open a new field for the valorisation and promotion of their derived products.In the present study, the evaluation of the carcasses and meat quality, in terms of chemical composition and fatty acid profile, of lambs from five autochthonous sheep breeds (Altamurana, Bagnolese, Gentile di Puglia, Laticauda, and Leccese) reared in continental Southern Italy, were studied. All the carcasses were evaluated according to the EU Mediterranean classification system for carcasses weighing less than 13 kg. Meat chemical composition and fatty acids profile were assessed on both loin and leg commercial cuts. Fatty acid composition of loin resulted in differences among breeds, displaying lower values of saturated fatty acid in Altamurana, Bagnolese, and Leccese breeds and the highest content of polyunsaturated fatty acid in the Altamurana breed. Principal component analysis grouped lamb according to fatty acid content and to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), omega n-3 and n-6 fatty acids; thus, Altamurana, Bagnolese, and Leccese breeds are characterized by the highest values of CLA content. Our data demonstrated that lamb meat from autochthonous breed has good carcass quality and the content of CLA, n-3, and n-6 was valuable for human consumption; therefore, the valorisation of local meat quality can help to avoid the extinction of the autochthonous breed offering to the market and consumer’s high nutritive products.
Highlights
IntroductionIn Southern Italy, autochthonous breeds reared for lamb production are usually slaughtered at a young age to meet the consumer market demand of light lambs
Survival of a breed is linked to its ability to meet current and future market demand [1].Biodiversity protection is considered of great importance, apart from as genetic reservoir of native breed, strictly connected to cultural land heritage, for future breeding options, but especially for preserving the environment, the landscape, the human presence in marginal areas [2].Sheep are characterized by the greatest variety and large number of breeds mainly reared in Europe; where the sustainability issues need to be covered to obtain small ruminants’ production more resilient and competitive from an economic point of view [3].In Southern Italy, autochthonous breeds reared for lamb production are usually slaughtered at a young age to meet the consumer market demand of light lambs
The aim of this study was to evaluate the carcass commercial quality, the chemical, and fatty acid composition of lamb meat obtained from five autochthonous sheep breeds reared in continental Southern Italy: Altamurana, Bagnolese, Gentile di Puglia, Laticauda, and Leccese
Summary
In Southern Italy, autochthonous breeds reared for lamb production are usually slaughtered at a young age to meet the consumer market demand of light lambs. In Apulia and Campania regions of Continental Southern Italy, most represented breeds are Altamurana, Bagnolese, Gentile di Puglia, Laticauda and Leccese that are autochthonous breeds with a strict relationship with landscape and traditions. Gentile di Puglia counted a total 10,664 heads on the national soil with 5551 heads in Apulia region, and the remaining flocks were distributed in the neighbouring regions as a heritage of ancient pastoral system, consisting in migrations of sheep and sheep-keepers from lowlands to uplands, to guarantee a grass-based feeding during the whole year
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