Acta Veterinaria et Zootechnica Sinica ›› 2025, Vol. 56 ›› Issue (7): 3177-3187.doi: 10.11843/j.issn.0366-6964.2025.07.013

• Animal Genetics and Breeding • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Determination and Analysis of Slaughtering Performance and Meat Quality of Different Parts of Ujumqin Sheep

LAN Mingxi1(), QIN Qing1, ZHANG Chongyan1, LIU Zhichen1, ZHANG Jingwen1, ZHAO Dan1, WU Danni1, QIN Tian1, WANG Zhixin1,2,3, LIU Zhihong1,2,3,*()   

  1. 1. Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics and Breeding of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hohhot 010018, China
    3. Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Sheep & Goat Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Hohhot 010018, China
  • Received:2024-12-23 Online:2025-07-23 Published:2025-07-25
  • Contact: LIU Zhihong E-mail:lanmx0429@163.com;liuzh7799@163.com

Abstract:

The study aimed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the slaughtering performance, production performance, edible quality, nutritional quality, and flavor compounds of various parts of the Ujumqin sheep, this study systematically evaluated the quality characteristics of different sections of the Ujumqin sheep. The findings provide a valuable reference for optimizing and utilizing the resources of the Ujumqin sheep. Sixty healthy 6-month-old Ujumqin lambs, raised under identical growth conditions, were selected for this study. Their pre-slaughter live weight averaged (33.84±3.22) kg. After slaughter, the slaughtering performance, carcass index, and meat quality were assessed. The nutritional values of the longissimus dorsi muscle (LD) and biceps femoris muscle (BF) were assessed and analyzed using a fully automatic amino acid analyzer (LA8090) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS5977B). Each measurement was replicated 3 times to ensure accuracy and reliability. The results demonstrated that the average pre-slaughter live weight of 6-month-old Ujumqin sheep was (33.84±3.22) kg, with an average carcass weight of (14.69±1.77) kg and a slaughter rate of (45.17±2.64)%. Regarding meat quality, the water loss rate of BF was significantly lower than that of LD ((3.77±0.15)% vs. (5.18±0.19)%, P < 0.05). The crude protein content of BF was also significantly lower than that of LD ((19.66±0.61)% vs. (20.00±0.78)%, P < 0.05), while the shear force of BF was significantly higher than that of LD ((61.14±8.88) N vs. (55.57±12.57) N, P < 0.05). In terms of color, there was no significant difference in L* values between the two muscles; however, the a* value of LD was significantly lower than that of BF, and the b* value of LD was significantly higher than that of BF (P < 0.05). Regarding texture characteristics, the hardness of BF was significantly lower than that of LD ((78.18±18.74) N vs. (85.90±23.95) N, P < 0.05). In terms of nutritional value, the amino acid content and fatty acid composition of BF were significantly superior to those of LD (P < 0.05), particularly in essential amino acids such as lysine, non-essential amino acids such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid, and unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid. The biceps femoris muscle of Ujumqin sheep exhibits superior meat quality and nutritional value compared to the longissimus dorsi muscle. Its rich composition of essential amino acids and fatty acids, along with a more favorable n-6:n-3 ratio, highlights its higher nutritional value.

Key words: Ujumqin sheep, slaughter performance, carcass traits, meat quality traits

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