Chemical characteristics of red hartebeest (<i>Alcelaphus buselaphus caama</i>) meat

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of region (Qua-Qua, Maria Moroka, Sandveld and Tussen die Riviere) and gender on carcass characteristics and chemical composition of meat from the red hartebeest. The parameters measured on 29 red hartebeest included body weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, proximate composition, fatty acid, cholesterol, amino acid and mineral content. The average carcass weight of males (79.3 kg) was significantly higher than that of females (56.0 kg); however, there was no difference in dressing percentages. The animals obtained from the Qua-Qua region had the highest lipid content (1.3 g/100 g meat sample) compared to hartebeest sampled in other regions. Differences in concentrations of individual fatty acids, amino acids and minerals were minor and of no practical value. The ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids (0.78) is above the recommended 0.7 and therefore has positive implications for human health. These nutrient values determined in meat from red hartebeest could be incorporated into human food composition tables. These results will also be of value to the South African game meat exporters who may wish to market their products in terms of their nutritional value in order to compete with meat from domestic livestock or international venison products. In such cases, it is required by law (both locally and internationally) to provide adequate nutritional labelling.

Nutritional and Functional Properties of African Wild Antelope (Antilocapra americana) Meat

“…The value of the crude protein (24.76g/100g) was comparably higher than some varieties of cowpea reported [14] which varied from 20.6 g/100g DM in TVX 716 to 24.2 g/100g DM in Ife Brown and varieties of m. longissimus dorsi of rabbits which ranged between 21.37 -21.80 g/100g reported [16] and varieties of m. longissimus dorsi from hartebeest as influenced by region and gender which varied between 22.6 and 24.7% reported [17] but lower than those values for African giant rat (56.8%), grass cutter (52.30%) reported [15]. The crude fat content was higher than those of m. longissimus dorsi of hartebeest (0.20 -0.61%) reported [17], 4.34% of broiler meat, 3.35% of Tilapia macrocephala, beef (4.59%) and Clarias lazera (3.18%) as reported [18]. It is note worthy that crude fibre was not detected in the antelope meat which corroborate the observation reported [18]…”

Carcass Yields and Physical-Chemical Meat Quality Characteristics of Namibian Red Hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) as Influenced by Sex and Muscle

“…An ungulate species identified as a possible source of meat is the red hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus) [15]. The red hartebeest is exceptionally tolerant to dry areas and poor pastures, and are found in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa (regions of the North Western Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Free State) [16]. Previously estimated numbers of red hartebeest in the Limpopo Province were 15 000 [17], while the population density of red hartebeest in Namibia is approximately 140 000 [18,19].…”