Chemical composition of two muscles of the common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia)

Abstract

Ten mature male common duikers (Sylvicapra grimmia) were cropped and their M longissimus dorsi (LD) and M biceps femoris (BF) dissected in order to determine the chemical composition of the meat of this species. There was no significant difference in proximate chemical composition between the LD and the BF. The duiker muscle had a moisture content of 713.1 g kg-1, a high protein content (257.7 g kg-1) and a low fat content (20.6 g kg -1). Potassium and phosphorus were the minerals and lysine and leucine the amino acids present in highest concentrations in the meat. The LD contained higher levels of sodium and zinc than the BF but lower levels of alanine, leucine and lysine. Stearic acid, palmitoleic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid constituted the greatest proportion of fatty acids in the meat. The common duiker's meat also had a high polyunsaturated fatty acid content (414.2 g kg-1 total fatty acids), allowing it to be considered a healthy food commodity. © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.