Chemical Composition of Wild Fallow Deer (Dama Dama) Meat from South Africa: A Preliminary Evaluation

Abstract

Although fallow deer are abundant in South Africa, these cervids remain undervalued as a domestic protein source and little information exists on their meat quality. This study aimed to evaluate the proximate and mineral compositions of the meat from wild fallow deer (n = 6 male, n = 6 female) harvested in South Africa, as affected by sex and muscle. Proximate analyses were conducted on six muscles (longissimus thoracis et lumborum [LTL], biceps femoris [BF], semimembranosus [SM], semitendinosus [ST], infraspinatus [IS], supraspinatus [SS]), whereas mineral analyses were conducted on the LTL and BF. The proximate composition of the muscles ranged from 73.3–76.2% moisture, 20.4–23.1% protein, 2.2–3.2% fat, and 1.1–1.5% ash. Proximate composition was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced by muscle, but not by sex. The primary essential macro- and micro-minerals determined in the LTL and BF were potassium, phosphorus, sodium, and magnesium, as well as iron, zinc, and copper, with more variation in concentrations occurring with muscle than with sex. Minerals in the muscles contributing most notably to human recommended dietary requirements were potassium, iron, copper, and zinc. These findings indicate that wild fallow deer meat is a nutritious food source and should enhance utilisation of such products.

Effect of Sex and Age on Nutritional Content in Wild Axis Deer (Axis axis Erx.) Meat

“…In axis deer meat, the most abundant macro-minerals (g/kg) were P and K. This corresponds to the results for other deer species reported in earlier studies [13,20]. On the contrary, Zomborszky et al [4] reported lower K, P and Na, but higher Ca and Mg content in red, fallow and roe deer from Hungary.…”

“…Cawthorn et al [20] and Švrčula et al [12] reported higher fat content in both female and male fallow deer than in the present study. A lower fat content than in the present study was reported in male and female fallow deer by Piaskowska et al [11] and Daszkiewicz et al [16], and for male red deer [18].…”

“…Sex and age had a minor effect on the mineral content in axis deer meat. Similarly, a minor effect of sex and/or age on macro-and micro-mineral content was reported in wild red and fallow deer meat [13,20]. On the contrary, a significant effect of sex and/or age on trace element concentrations in deer and impala meat was reported by Dannenberger et al [10] and Hoffman et al [51].…”

“…It was documented that female animals in general, including ungulates, deposit more body and muscle fat than males. This is mainly due to physiologically related differences and energy needs during gestation [20,51]. As this is one of the first studies presenting proximate chemical composition in axis deer, the observed differences in regard to other deer species could be species related or the result of different methods applied for chemical analyses, location, age and diet.…”

“…Bureš et al [14] and Okuskhanova et al [15] presented the results of quality attributes and composition of meat from deer species (red and fallow deer) and domestic breeds (Angus and Holstein; cattle and horse). Differences in wild and farm-raised deer meat quality have also been analysed [16][17][18][19][20]. The general conclusion of these studies was that deer meat is a low-fat and good source of unsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids and minerals.…”