Objective To study the difference of meat quality between adult and young Xueduo yaks. Methods Healthy adult and young castrated Xueduo yaks were selected to analyze the composition and content of conventional nutrients, edible meat quality, amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in longissimus dorsi muscle. Results The moisture content of adult Xueduo yak meat was 72.89%, which was lower than that of young Xueduo yak meat. The crude protein, crude fat and crude ash contents of adult Xueduo yak meat were 4.99%, 86.67% and 38.54% higher than those of young Xueduo yak meat, respectively. Therefore, adult Xueduo yak meat had higher nutritional value. The edible meat quality of young Xueduo yak meat was excellent, and the color, taste and tenderness were better than those of adult Xueduo yak meat. Both adult and young Xueduo yak meat were high-quality protein sources. The contents of essential amino acids and total amino acids in young Xueduo yak meat were 5.95% and 14.00%, which were significantly higher than those in adult Xueduo yak meat, but adult Xueduo yak meat tastes more delicious. The fatty acid composition of young Xueduo yak meat was slightly better than that of adult Xueduo yak meat. In terms of vitamin and mineral composition and content, vitamin A in young Xueduo yak meat was significantly higher than that in adult Xueduo yak meat. The iodine content of adult Xueduo yak meat was significantly higher than that of young Xueduo yak meat. Conclusion The meat quality of young Xueduo yak is better than that of adult Xueduo yak. The growth cycle of young Xueduo yak is short, which can create higher economic value under limited forage resources. At the same time, it can improve the market competitiveness of yak meat and provide scientific and effective guidance for yak breeding in pastoral areas.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |