Comparative analysis of the mineral composition in the meat of wild boar and domestic pig

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyse the content of selected minerals in the samples of sirloin, i.e. longissimus lumborum muscle of wild boars (Sus scrofa scrofa L.) and domestic pigs (Sus scrofa f. domestica), taking the animal sex into account. Muscles were taken from 14 wild boars (ca. 13 months-old) and 165.5-month-old domestic pigs, at a sex ratio of 1:1. The sirloin mineral content was significantly (p < .01) influenced by the species. Muscle of the domestic pigs exhibited higher content of Mg than wild boar. In turn, the muscle of the wild boars was characterised by a higher content of K, Ca, Cu, Fe and Zn. The sex in both species had no impact on the mineral content in the muscle. The increase in the Na content in the muscle of the domestic pigs was accompanied by a decline in the K content. There was also negative relation between Fe and Ca in the domestic pigs and between Mg and Ca in the wild boars. There were positive associations between K and Fe in the domestic pigs and between K and Mg in the wild boars.

Highlights

• Effects of species on mineral concentration were estimated.

• Venison contained large amounts of minerals.

• Venison can be a competitive product to pork.

Keywords:

• Meat
• wild boars
• domestic pigs
• minerals
• associations

Ethical approval

The experimental procedures followed the requirements of the European Community Directive 2010/63/EU regarding the protection of animals used for experimental and other scientific purposes. No ethical committee permission was required as the samples were collected post-mortem.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.