COMPARISON OF THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF MEAT FROM FARM-RAISED AND WILD FALLOW DEER (DAMA DAMA)

Abstract

The research involved a comparison of the nutritional value of meat from farm-raised and wild European fallow deer bucks. Meat samples from the saddle and haunch were assayed for the contents of macroelements, amino acids and minerals. The results show that farm-raised fallow deer meat is of higher biological value. There was a statistically highly significant difference in fat content in the leg and Na and K content in both cuts of meat from fallow deer kept in farmed vs. wild conditions. Statistically significant differences were also noted between the two groups for the content of some amino acids: Asp, Ser, and Glu. In many countries fallow deer are used to produce high quality meat with very high nutritional value. However, there are only few publications dealing with the nutritional value of fallow deer meat.

Keywords

• meat; fallow deer; nutrition; maintenance