Carcass characteristics and proximate composition of Mithun (Bos frontalis) carcass

Abstract

In order to study the carcass characteristics, six mithun (Bos frontalis) of either sex were slaughtered and their body tissues were analysed for proximate principles in the present investigation. The physical carcass characteristics like the carcass length, weight, dressing percentage etc. were also determined. The data analysis revealed that the mean carcass length and weight were measured as 162.10±6.15 cm and 242.25±36.75 kg, respectively. The overall dressing percentage was found to be 60.65±1.68% in mithun, while the subcutaneous fat thickness was recorded to be 42.15±2.15 mm. The heaviest organ of the mithun carcass was observed to be the stomach (68.2±0.1 kg), the lightest was recorded to be the pancreas (0.45±0.10 kg). The nutrient composition of mithun meat was excellent with protein content of 18.74±1.25% and fat content of 0.48±0.03%. This study further recommended the need of a detailed study on the effect of mithun meat consumption on human health in future.

Keywords

• mithun
• carcass traits
• proximate composition