Today, goats are spread throughout the world. They live in small or large herds and in different areas and environments. Because of its distinctive taste and desired chemical composition, goat meat is increasingly consumed in Serbia. As animal foods, it is rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, but contains very little fat, especially cholesterol. The aim of this review paper is to highlight some health benefits, nutritional values and potential use of goat meat. On the chemical composition of goat meat affect race, gender, productivity and adaptability to stress, environment, management, diet, weight at slaughter and health condition as well as slaughter and procedures with the carcasses after slaughter. Average chemical composition of lean goat meat contains about 75.42% water, 3.55% fat, 19.95 % protein and 1.06% mineral matter. The energy value is about 580 kJ per 100 g. The goat meat has about the same nutritional value as well as sheep meat. Due to low content of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, goat meat in the human diet is healthier alternative compared to other types of red meat. Polyunsaturated fatty acids prevalent in goatmeat, and the diet rich in unsaturated fatty acids is correlated with a reduced risk of stroke and coronary disease. In addition, in goat meat are present the essential amino acids such as lysine, threonine and tryptophan. Regardless to the nutritional value, goat meat is still less appreciated due to their specific smell and taste, the more if the animal is older.

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A simple and accurate method for lead and cadmium determination in raw cow’s milk by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET-AAS) is described. Milk from fifteen farms near Križ in Zagreb region was sampled from the collective sample directly into plastic bottles (to avoid contamination) four times during the March of 2000. The milk samples were digested in an MLS-1200 Mega Microwave digestion system with MDR Technology. Lead and cadmium were determined directly by ET-AAS in the solutions of digested samples. Statistical analyses were performed using statistical software SAS v. 8.0. Both the farm and the date as well as their interaction (P < 0.0001) had a statistically significant influence on Pb and Cd levels in cow’s milk. Pb (0.27 ± 0.06 mg/kg DM) and Cd (0.037 ± 0.007 mg/g DM) contents were not correlated (R = 0.11) and were lower in all examined samples than the tolerance limit defined by Croatian regulations (Pb < 100 g/l and Cd < 10 g/l). Chemical and statistical analyses showed that differences between the farms were not due to feed. This implies that in order to avoid milk contamination by toxic trace elements great care of stable microclimate and all apparatuses and dishes in contact with milk should be taken.  

The research aim was to determine the influence of different organic and mineral fertilization treatments and post-harvest treatments on the content of nitrogen and crude proteins in the edible part of beetroot (Beta vulgaris var. conditiva). A field trial (2003-2005) was set up in a hilly part of Croatia according to the Latin square method with four types of fertilization (control, 50 t ha-1 stable manure, 500 and 1000 kg ha-1 NPK 5-20-30), while treatments involved harvested fresh beetroot and stored fresh beetroot. The highest dry weight (DW) content was determined in climatologically favourable 2004 (average 14.8% DW) and in the treatment with 1000 kg ha-1 NPK 5-20-30 (15.6% DW) in harvested beetroot. In 2004 and 2005, the highest levels of nitrogen and crude proteins in harvested beetroot were determined in the treatment with 1000 kg ha-1 NPK 5-20-30 (2.41 and 2.43 g N kg-1 in fresh weight and 15.07 and 15.21 g crude proteins kg-1 in fresh weight, respectively). Regardless of fertilization treatment or studied year, nitrogen and crude protein contents were higher in stored than in harvested beetroot, by 12% on average. The lowest crude protein content was determined in treatment with stable manure what confirmed that protein content decreased by organic fertilization. It can be concluded that beetroot lost some water during the storage period, which increased its content of nitrogen and crude proteins in fresh weight and thus increased the nutritional quality of beetroot as a functional food.

Abstract. The potential of goats to produce a high-quality meat is mainly reflected in their healthy fats, low calorie intramuscular fats, saturated fats, and, especially, their high ratios of unsaturated (UFA) and saturated (SFA) fatty acids, as well as hypocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic fatty acids. The aim of this study was to collect and compare meat quality parameters for domestic Balkan, Alpine and Saanen goats of the same age. Samples for all tests were taken from musculus gluteus superficialis. Chemical composition, pH value, fatty acid composition, content of volatile compounds, color and overall sensory quality (appearance, texture and smell) were determined. In chemical composition, moisture, fat, protein and ash varied significantly between each of the examined groups as opposed to pH values. Furthermore, among all the examined groups a significant difference was found for fatty acids and volatile compounds. Determined ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to SFAs was 0.089, 0.085 and 0.071 for Balkan, Alpine and Saanen goat meats, respectively. Regarding that ratio, Saanen goat meat had the most favorable characteristics. Saanen goat meat showed the highest nutritional value. On the other hand, Balkan goat meat had the lowest intramuscular fat content. Measurements of the meat color from all three groups, as well as overall acceptability, showed significant differences between breeds. Obtained results point to the impact of breed on chemical composition and fatty acid profile of goat meat.