Duck Breast Meat Research Articles

Perbedaan Lama Perendaman Sari Belimbing Wuluh terhadap pH, Kadar Air, dan Daya Ikat Air Daging Dada Itik Magelang

Duck is one type of waterfowl that has a higher nutritional content than chicken. The high nutritional value causes the duck meat to be easily damaged perishable food due to the high water content, the pH value is close to neutral and sufficient food is available for microbes. An alternative effort is needed for natural ingredients that are safe but can inhibit microbial growth in duck meat. One of the natural ingredients that can be used is star fruit (Averrhoa bilimbi L.) because it has a high acid content. This study aims to determine the difference in the duration of soaking Magelang duck meat with starfruit juice on the pH value, water holding capacity and water content. The research method was carried out using a completely randomized experimental design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 replications, and using a 40% concentration of starfruit juice with a soaking time of 0, 20, 40, 60 minutes. The data obtained were analyzed by analysis of variance and if different results were obtained, it was continued with the Duncan Multiple Rang Test (DMRT) further test. The results showed that the immersion time for 20-60 minutes can lower the pH value (5,83-4,67) and water content (67,05-63,68%), but had no effect on water holding capacity (48,47-54,63%). It is concluded that the immersion time of 60 minutes with starfruit juice with a concentration of 40% in can be used as a method of preserving Magelang duck breast meat.

Effects of ultrasonic assisted marination on the mass transfer kinetics and quality of low-salt duck breast and thigh meat

Effects of ultrasonic assisted marination on the mass transfer kinetics and quality of low-salt duck breast and thigh meat

Comparison of meat yield and physicochemical characteristics of indigenous chicken and duck

Three indigenous male chicken and 3 indigenous male duck were slaughtered to compare the meat yield and quality characteristics. After slaughter meat yield characteristics of breast, thigh, drumstick, wing, liver, heart, head, gizzard, neck etc. were compared against their live weight. After comparing the yield characteristics the breast, thigh and drumstick of all birds were stored at 4˚C to evaluated different quality characteristics at 24-hour postmortem. The following parameters were compared; proximate composition, pH, cooking loss, drip loss, water holding capacity and instrumental color (CIE L* a* b*). Findings revealed that dressing, thigh, drumstick, breast, gizzard, heart and shank weight percentage were significantly higher in indigenous chicken (p<0.05), while blood weight, feather weight and head weight were significantly higher in indigenous duck (p<0.05). Significantly higher crude protein was observed in indigenous chicken breast and thigh meat (p <0.05), while ash and ether extract were significantly higher in indigenous duck breast and thigh meat. Significantly higher pH was observed in chicken breast and thigh meat compare to duck breast and thigh (p<0.05). Cooking loss was higher in duck breast but lower in thigh meat compare to chicken breast and thigh meat. Significantly higher (p <0.05) water holding capacity was found in duck breast compare to chicken breast meat (p <0.05). At 2 hour of post mortem, lightness (L*) of breast and thigh meat did not show significant differences (p , but highly significant difference was found in drumstick meat of chicken and duck (p Redness (a*) was significantly higher in duck breast and drumstick meat and yellowness was higher in duck breast at 2 hour of post mortem compare to chicken. At 24 hour of post mortem no significant differences were found between chicken and duck breast, thigh and drumstick meat. The present study reveals that the dressing, breast, thigh and drumstick weight percentage, crude protein and pH were significantly higher in the indigenous chicken compare to duck, while ether extract, ash and redness (a*) values were significantly higher in duck compare to chicken.

Metabolomic characterization of Liancheng white and Cherry Valley duck breast meat and their relation to meat quality

Liancheng white duck is a typical local duck breed in Fujian Province famous for its meat traits. To better understand how meat quality varies with breed, the chemical composition of breast meats of Liancheng white ducks (LD) and Cherry Valley ducks (CD) were examined using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS).The correlation between meat quality and the differential metabolites was further analyzed. The results showed that the effects of breed on duck breast meat were significant for pH, color, cooking loss, and shear force. Liancheng white duck breast meat exhibited a higher shear force and pH, and lower cooking loss and lightness (L*24), redness (a*24), and yellowness (b*24) than CD. Metabolomic analysis revealed significant differences between the meat extracts from the 2 duck breeds. A total of 49 and 57 significantly different metabolites were identified in positive and negative ion modes, respectively. These differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs) could be divided into 28 classes, of which the 4 main categories were carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids, and eicosanoids. Liancheng white duck might have better nutritional and medicinal value considering the higher content of (4Z,7Z,10Z,13Z,16Z,19Z)-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and prostaglandinF3α (PGF3α), having anti-inflammatory orantioxidant effects. Carbohydrate concentration negatively correlated with pH24. The 4 metabolites positively correlated with the shear force. These results provide an overall perspective for bridging the gap between variation of duck meat quality and metabolites with respect to breed.

Effect of sous-vide cooking conditions on the physicochemical, microbiological and microstructural properties of duck breast meat.

Sous-vide cooking offers several advantages for poultry meat, including enhanced tenderness, reduced cooking loss, and improved product yield. However, in duck meat, there are challenges associated with using the sous-vide method. The prolonged cooking time at low temperatures can lead to unstable microbial and oxidative stabilities. Thus, we aimed to assess how varying sous-vide cooking temperatures and durations affect the physicochemical and microbial characteristics of duck breast meat, with the goal of identifying an optimal cooking condition. Duck breast meat (Anas platyrhynchos) aged 42 days and with an average weight of 1,400±50 g, underwent cooking under various conditions (ranging from 50°C to 80°C) for either 60 or 180 min. Then, physicochemical, microbial, and microstructural properties of the cooked duck breast meat were assessed. Different cooking conditions affected the quality attributes of the meat. The cooking loss, lightness, yellowness, Hue angle, whiteness, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values of the duck breast meat increased with the increase in cooking temperature and time. In contrast, the redness and chroma values decreased with the increase in cooking temperature and time. Cooking of samples higher than 60°C increased the volatile basic nitrogen contents and TBARS. Microbial analysis revealed the presence of Escherichia coli and Coliform only in the samples cooked at 50°C and raw meat. Cooking at lower temperature and shorter time increased the tenderness of the meat. Microstructure analysis showed that the contraction of myofibrils and meat density increased upon increasing the cooking temperature and time. Our data indicate that the optimal sous-vide method for duck breast meat was cooking at 60°C for 60 min. This temperature and time conditions showed good texture properties and microbial stability, and low level of TBARS of the duck breast meat.

Influence of Minimum Energy and Protein Levels in the Diet on Growth, Yield, and Meat Quality of Sin Cheng Duck Raised for Meat at 1-12 Weeks of Age

Research evaluating the effect of energy levels and minimum dietary protein on growth, performance, and meat quality of Sin Cheng ducks reared for meat at 1-12 weeks of age to find out energy and minimal protein levels for raising Sin Cheng ducks. The study was conducted on 450 Sin Cheng ducks from 1 day old to 12 weeks old arranged in 3 groups with different levels of protein and energy in the diet, corresponding to 3 age stages (0-3 weeks old)., 4-7 weeks old, 8-12 weeks old) respectively: Control group (DC): 2267 - 2329 - 2372Kcal, 17 - 15 - 14% protein; Experimental group one (TN1): 2533 – 2640 – 2711Kcal, 19 – 17 -16% protein; Experimental group two (TN2): 2001 - 2019 - 2033Kcal, 15 - 13 - 12% protein. Research results at week 12 showed that: With the energy and protein levels in the TN1 group giving the highest survival rate, the cumulative growth reached 2403.15 g/individual (duck), equivalent to the DC (2402.02 g/individual (duck) and higher than TN2 group (2303.03 g/individual). The percentage of carcass, breast, and thigh meat in the DC (69.73%, 16.62%, and 14.14%, respectively) was similar to that of the TN1 group (70.00%, 16.64% and 14.13% respectively) and much higher than TN2 group (66.3%, 15.62%, and 13.23%, respectively). The percentage of dry matter and protein in Sin Cheng duck's breast meat and thigh meat in the DC and TN1 groups was similar and significantly higher than in the TN2 group. The energy and protein levels in the TN1 group (2533 – 2640 – 2711Kcal, 19 – 17 -16%) are the minimum energy and protein levels suitable for raising Sin Cheng ducks.

Pengaruh Penggunaan Ekstrak Kayu Secang (Caesalpinia sappan L.) terhadap Uji Organoleptik dan Kadar Air Albumen Telur Asin Itik Magelang

Duck is one type of waterfowl that has a higher nutritional content than chicken. The high nutritional content of duck meat causes the meat to be more easily damaged because there is enough food for microbes so that duck meat cannot be stored at room temperature for too long. An alternative effort to inhibit microbial activity in duck meat is the addition of safe natural ingredients to the meat. One of the natural ingredients that can be used is bilimbi fruit because it has a high acid content. This study aims to determine the difference in the duration of soaking Magelang duck meat with belimbing wuluh juice on the pH value, water holding capacity and water content. The research method was carried out using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 replications, and using a 40% concentration of bilimbi fruit juice with a soaking time of 0, 20, 40, 60 minutes. The data obtained were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and if different results were obtained, it was continued with the Duncan Multiple Rang Test (DMRT) further test. The results showed that the immersion time for 20-60 minutes had a very significant effect on lowering the pH value (4.30-4.67) and significantly reduced water content (63.83-64.07%) with a time 40-60 minutes, but had no significant effect on water holding capacity (54.63-48.47%). The immersion time of 40-60 minutes with bilimbi fruit juice with a concentration of 40% in Magelang duck breast meat reduced pH and water content, but had no effect on water holding capacity.

ORGANOLEPTIK DAGING DADA ITIK MAGELANG DENGAN PERBEDAAN LAMA PERENDAMAN SARI BELIMBING WULUH (Averrhoa bilimbi L.)

This study aims to utilize of bilimbi fruit and know the length of soaking of the best bilimbi fruit in the organoleptic test properties of the chest of Magelang duck. The experimental design used in this study is a Complete Randomized Design with 4 treatments of differences in the length of soaking bilimbi fruit (0, 20, 40, 60 Minutes) and 5 replays with a concentration of 40%. The observation data was analyzed with ANOVA at a real level of 5%, then if there is different data between treatments, Duncan Multiple Range Test is conducted. The results showed that the difference in the duration of soaking bilimbi fruit juice for 20-60 minutes in Magelang duck breast meat had a significant effect on the change in the color of the meat from red (4.25) to slightly gray (2.54-3.11). The aroma changed from slightly fishy (3.11-3.35) at 0-20 minutes of soaking bilimbi fruit and close to not fishy (3.64-3.65) at 40-60 minutes of immersion. However, the difference in soaking time up to 60 minutes did not affect the taste (2.54-2.90 somewhat addic), texture (2.79-3.13 yaitu not tender near tender), and favorite (2.58-2.93 is a bit like). The duration of soaking starfruit in Magelang duck breast meat for up to 60 minutes was able to reduce the fishy aroma and change color, but did not affect the taste, texture, and preference

Non-target metabolomics reveals the changes of small molecular substances in duck breast meat under different preservation time

Poultry products are an essential animal source of protein for humans. Many factors could destroy the balance of the poultry production chain and cause an overstock of products, which need to be stored in the frozen storage warehouse for a long time. The long-term frozen storage may affect the quality of meat products. In this study, the changes of small molecular substances were revealed in duck meat during long-term storage using non-targeted metabolomics. The results showed that compared with fresh meat, even if the meat is stored under frozen storage conditions, the number of differential metabolites of frozen storage meat continues to increase with the prolongation of storage time, indicating that the meat composition has changed significantly with the storage time increased. With the increase in storage time, the nitrogen-containing small molecular compounds in duck meat increased (carnosine and anserine, aspartic acid, and tyrosine, 1H-indole-3-acetamide, 2-Hydroxyphenethylamine, 2-Naphylamine, allocystathionine, and O-phosphoethanolamine), the nucleotides decomposition process strengthened (IMP and AMP, GMP and UMP), and the content of organic acid increased (5-hydroxy indole acetic acid, 5-hydroxypentanoic acid and phenylacetate, taurine) and carbohydrate (1-O-sinapoyl-beta-d-glucose, 4-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-d-mannose, and alpha-d-glucose). These small molecular substances can be used as biomarkers to detect long-term stored duck meat deterioration. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that protein catabolism, nucleotide catabolism, fat decomposition and oxidation, and carbohydrate decomposition were the main metabolic processes of meat deterioration during the long-term storage of duck meat. In addition, Non-target metabolome technology is a powerful tool to reveal the meat deterioration process during long-term storage systematically. This study provided a reference for optimizing domestic poultry meat storage methods and ensuring food safety.

Growth performance and meat quality traits of Pekin ducks fed with different amounts of pelleted Ptecticus tenebrifer

AbstractTo determine the effects of pelleted feed forms of Ptecticus tenebrifer (PT) on the growth performance and meat quality traits of Pekin ducks, a total of 225 1‐d‐old Pekin ducks were randomly allocated into three treatment groups, each consisting of three replicates with 25 ducks. The three treatment groups were a control with basal diet; T1 with basal diet + 1.5% pelleted PT; and T2 with basal diet + 3% pelleted PT. An increase in weight gain and a decrease in mortality were observed in ducks fed either 1.5% or 3% pelleted PT compared with the control (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in initial and final body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratios among the three treatment groups (p > 0.05). Remarkable differences were observed in the meat quality traits of pH on day 7, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) on day 0, and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging values on days 3 and 7 (p < 0.05). Treatment groups of T1 and T2 presented reduced TBARS values and increased DPPH radical scavenging values compared with the control group. Although the breast meat red color did not show a significant difference among the three groups (p > 0.05), the lightness and yellowness of the meat were affected in groups fed pelleted PT on days 7 and 3, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusively, dietary supplementation with 1.5% and 3% pelleted PT could enhance weight gain, reduce mortality, and improve the antioxidant effect of duck breast meat.

The Impacts of Different Pea Protein Isolate Levels on Functional, Instrumental and Textural Quality Parameters of Duck Meat Batters.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of pea protein isolate (PPI) on the functional, instrumental and textural quality parameters of duck meat batters (DMB). Ground duck breast meat was mixed with different concentrations of PPI (0%, 3%, 6% or 9%, w/w) to prepare DMB. The color, cooking yield, water-holding capacity, water distribution and migration, rheological properties and texture profile of the DMB were evaluated. The results showed that the L* value of the gel decreased and the b* value increased with the increasing pea protein addition. The cooking yield and water-holding capacity showed a gradual increase, but the difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Compared with the control, the storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) were higher at the beginning and at the end and increased with the addition of pea protein, which was in accordance with the Fourier series relationship. The hardness, chewiness and gumminess of the gels gradually increased; on the contrary, the springiness and cohesiveness first increased and then decreased, respectively, reaching a maximum value of 0.96 and 0.81 when the addition amount reached 6%. Adding pea protein to the gels not only increased the area of immobilized water but also decreased the area of free water, thus improving the water-holding capacity of the batters. Therefore, pea protein can promote the formation of a stable and elastic network structure of duck meat batters.

Improving gelling properties of myofibrillar proteins incorporating with cellulose micro/nanofibres

SummaryThe effects of cellulose microfibres (CMFs, Average size: 100 ± 5 μm) and cellulose nanofibres (CNFs, Average size: 60 ± 3 nm) on the properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) gels from duck breast meat were studied. The results demonstrated that CMFs and CNFs were mostly connected to MP by non‐covalent bonds, the diffusion and cross‐linking of MP molecules was promoted, and a denser and more complete gel network was formed. With the increases of CMFs and CNFs concentration (0–10%), the hardness was increased by 13.15% and 19.78% for CMFs10% and CNFs10% gels, respectively, and the elasticity was increased by 40% and 80%, respectively. At the same concentration (0–10%), the increase in gel hardness, viscoelasticity and immobilised water content was greater in the CNFs‐MP group than in the CMFs‐MP group. The CNFs‐MP group had a tighter gel network, and CNFs had a better potential to improve the gelation performance of MP.

The effect of replacing maize with re-binding banana hump flour on the meat quality, footpad color, and feather or hybrid duck

The purpose of this study was to determine the deposition percentage of breast meat, leg colour, and feather weight of hybrid ducks. The research material was 100 hybrid ducks regardless of sex (age 21 days) Peking x Khaki Campbell. The method used was a field experiment using a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 5 treatments and four replications. Each replication of 5 hybrid ducks. The treatments used were T0: 20% corn, T1: 15% corn + 5% Banana Hump Flour re-binding, T2: 10% corn + 10% Banana Hump Flour re-binding, T3: 5% corn + 15% Banana Hump Flour re-binding, T4: 20% Banana Hump Flour re-binding. Data were analyzed statistically using Covarian analysis (ANCOVA). If the data results differ significantly between treatments, Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) will proceed. The results showed that banana hump flour had no significant effect (P> 0.05) on the percentage of breast meat deposition and feather weight, but had a very significant effect (P < 0.01) on the color of the legs. It can be concluded that the use of re-binding banana hump flour as a substitute for corn up to 20% in feed gives positive results on the percentage of meat and feathers of hybrid.

Determination of volatile flavor compounds in raw and treated duck meats of different body parts.

The compounds in volatile flavor substances in duck meats of three different body parts (breast, leg, and wing) were extracted by headspace solid-phase micro-extraction and determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 16 main volatile compounds including 4 hydrocarbons, 4 alcohols, 2 acids, 3 aldehydes, and 3 others (N-containing, S-containing) were identified in raw duck meats from three different body parts. The hydrocarbon compounds account for more than 50% of all volatile substances in all three body parts. And the percentage of hydrocarbon compounds in raw duck breast meat reaches 82.76%. A total of 81 volatile compounds including 15 hydrocarbons, 10 alcohols, 7 acids, 12 aldehydes, 4 esters, 19 S-containing and N-containing compounds, and 14 others were isolated and identified in 1hr-marinated and cooked duck meats. A total of 101 kinds of volatile flavor compounds including 13 hydrocarbons, 14 alcohol, 7 acids, 8 aldehydes, 12 esters, 23 S-containing and N-containing compounds, and 24 others were detected in 3hr-marinated duck meats of the three body parts. It was proved in this study that under the same conditions, the volatile compounds in duck legs are more than those in duck breasts and wings, and the types of volatile flavor substances increase significantly in duck meats after cooked. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Prepared and cooked duck meat, especially wings and legs are popular food in China. The results suggest that Pickling makes duck meat more flavory while proper pickling time is less than 3hr. Duck wings are better for marinating and cooking compared with duck breasts and legs. The acceptance study of duck meat from different body parts and the analysis of volatile flavor compounds are beneficial for optimizing utilization of whole parts of duck meat.

Dietary supplementation of resveratrol improved the oxidative stability and spatial conformation of myofibrillar protein in frozen-thawed duck breast meat

Effects of resveratrol-supplemented on the protein oxidation and changes of the protein structural properties of the duck breast muscle (stored in a refrigerator for 7-day at - 18 °C then 12 h at 4 °C) were investigated. A total of 600 1-day-old male ducks were randomly assigned into four groups: the control group (R0, 0 mg/kg dietary resveratrol) and resveratrol groups (R300, 300; R400, 400 and R500, 500 mg/kg dietary resveratrol). On the day 70 of age, ten ducks were selected and slaughtered and ducks breast muscle were stored at −18 °C then 12 h at 4 °C in each group. Resveratrol-supplemented inhibited the formation of carbonyl and dityrosine, and reduced the loss of sulfhydryl and Ca2+-ATPase activity, thus alleviating the modification, cross-linking and denaturation of proteins, whereas enhanced the solubility and the structure (free amino group, secondary structure) and decreased the fluorescence spectroscopy of the duck breast muscle protein. In summary, dietary resveratrol inhibited protein oxidation, enhanced protein structure of the duck breast muscle when subjected to storage, whereas the dietary resveratrol inclusion of 300–400 mg/kg would be more efficient.

Effect of manganese supplementation on the carcass traits, meat quality, intramuscular fat, and tissue manganese accumulation of Pekin duck

Manganese (Mn) is a trace element present in all tissues and is essential for animal growth and health; it also has an antioxidant capacity in tissues. The effect of Mn on meat quality and the mechanism of fat deposition of the breast muscle is still unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of Mn supplementation on the growth performance, meat quality, the activity and transcription of antioxidant enzymes, and fatty acid profile in the breast muscle, and the Mn deposition in tissues of Pekin ducks. A total of 896 one-day-old Pekin ducks were allocated into 7 groups, with 8 replicates, each replicate containing 16 ducks. The treatment diets consisted of basal diet supplemented with manganese sulfate at levels 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 240 mg/kg (as Mn). Results showed that ducks fed diets supplemented with Mn had no effect on the growth performance but decrease in the feed-to-gain ratio of day 1–14 (P < 0.01). Dietary Mn increased significantly the a∗ (redness) value of the duck breast meat at 24 h and intramuscular fat (P < 0.05), and decreased drip loss and shear force of the breast meat (P < 0.05). Manganese supplement significantly reduced the malondialdehyde content (P < 0.05), and significantly increased the mRNA expressions of manganese superoxide dismutase, thioredoxin 2, peroxiredoxin 3, and catalase (P < 0.05). About the fatty acid profile, dietary Mn increased (P < 0.05) the proportions of the C20 family. Manganese accumulation in the heart, breast muscle, and tibia was increased with Mn supplementation (P < 0.05), and Mn content of the heart conforms to the quadratic curve. Besides, Mn supplementation notably increased mRNA expression in genes involved in lipogenesis and deposition and decreased in genes associated with lipolytic in the breast muscle. These findings reveal that dietary Mn could improve meat quality and enhance antioxidant activity and intramuscular fat, which via regulated gene expression involved in lipogenesis and lipolytic.

Duck breast muscle proteins, free fatty acids and volatile compounds as affected by curing methods

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different curing methods on protein structure, protein and lipid oxidation, lypolysis and volatile compounds in duck breast meat. The results showed that compared to static brining and pulsed pressure salting, the vacuum tumbling curing significantly decreased the oxidation of proteins and lipids, and the surface hydrophobicity of proteins, increased α-helix structure but decreased the proportion of β-sheet, and increased actomyosin dissociation, liplysis and the free fatty acid content in meat. Meanwhile, vacuum tumbling curing decreased the amount of volatile flavor compounds, hexanal, 2,3-octanone, and off-flavor compounds 1-octen-3-ol and 1-hexanol. This study suggests that concerns on healthiness and the sensory quality of processed meat products should be paid in the selection of curing methods and vacuum tumbling curing is superior in terms of both aspects.

Physicochemical Properties of Pekin Duck Breast Meat from Ducks Fed Diets Containing Different Types of Sipjeondaebo-Tang by- Products and Red Ginseng Marc with Fermented Red Koji

Physicochemical Properties of Pekin Duck Breast Meat from Ducks Fed Diets Containing Different Types of Sipjeondaebo-Tang by- Products and Red Ginseng Marc with Fermented Red Koji

Influence of production systems and sex on nutritional value and meat quality of native Malawian Muscovy ducks

This study was conducted to assess effects of production systems and sex on nutritional value and meat quality of native Malawian Muscovy ducks. One hundred twenty ducks were randomly assigned to either an intensive (IS), duck-rice integration (DR) or free-range (FR) production system. A starter ration containing 20% crude protein and a finisher containing 17% crude protein were fed to ducks in IS (1 to 4 weeks), and provided as a supplement to ducks in DR and FR (5 to 10 weeks). Feed and water were offered ad libitum. At 10 weeks of age, 16 ducks per treatment were selected randomly, slaughtered and chilled at 4 °C for 24 hours. Carcass temperature, pH and meat colour were measured at 45 min, and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours post mortem. Tenderness, cooking loss, proximate and mineral composition were determined 24 hours post mortem. Production system and sex had no effect on carcass temperature, pH and proximate composition of duck breast meat. However, production system affected tenderness and mineral composition of the meat and sex influenced moisture and tenderness. Males were moister and had less tender meat than females. Carcasses from ducks in the FR system contained more zinc, copper, manganese, and potassium, but less iron while those in IS had the lowest mineral content of the three production systems. Thus, DR can be adopted to improve the current FR system of native Malawian Muscovy duck production with supplementation to produce duck with acceptable mineral composition and better meat quality.&#x0D; Keywords: cooking loss, meat colour, mineral, proximate composition

1H NMR-based metabolomics study of breast meat from Pekin and Linwu duck of different ages and relation to meat quality

This study investigated the effects of breed and age on meat quality, and metabolite profiles of duck breast meat, and the relationship between changes in metabolite profiles and the meat quality. The meat quality and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics of breast meat from Pekin and Linwu ducks at 2 different ages (42 and 72d) was analyzed. The results showed that age exerted a greater effect on the observed meat quality traits of breast meat than breed, and its interaction (breed × age) effect on pH values and yellowness (b*) of duck breast meat was significant. Total of 32 metabolites were detected in breast meat of Pekin and Linwu duck. The difference of metabolite profiles in breast meat between Pekin and Linwu duck at 72 d was greater than that at 42 d, while the effects of age on metabolites of duck meat from both breeds were similar. Anserine, aspartate, and carnosine were the most relevant metabolites of duck breast meat quality, and nicotinamide in duck breast meat was negatively correlated with cooking loss. These results provide an overall perspective for bridging the gap between the breed and age on duck meat quality and metabolome, and improve the understanding of the relationship between metabolites and duck meat quality.