Proximate composition and fatty acid profile of semi confined young capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris hydrochaeris L. 1766) meat

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of management with and without pond on the chemical composition and fatty acids profile of the commercial loin and ham cuts of capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris hydrochaeris L. 1766) meat. Eighteen animals were used (12 males and 6 females) in the experiment and slaughtered at 9 months of age with a live weight of 20 kg. The animals were randomly distributed in the following treatments: nine animals were in a picket with pond, nine animals in a picket without pond. The animals were maintained in a semi confinement system during 4 months and were fed grass in the trough (Carex riparia, Panicum grumosum, sugar-cane, leaves from the banana plant, elephant grass, corn, pelletized diets for rabbits "ad libitum"), mineral salt and pasture with Cynodon dactylon. Lipids contents presented differences (P < 0.05) with values ranging from 1.81% to 2.26% for loin and 3.93% to 4.74% for ham, with and without pond management, respectively. The cholesterol contents were similar for loin and ham, but different (P < 0.05) for with (45.7mg/100g) and without pond (52.1 mg/ 100 g) management. By maintaining the natural habits of capybaras (with pond), the cuts presented lipids with lower saturated fatty acids contents, higher monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids contents and lower cholesterol contents. However, the management without pond does not significantly damage the quality of the meat, and therefore can be used by producers that do not possess water resources. (c) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.